Keto Cheeseburger Casserole

Whether or not you’re following a keto diet, this keto cheeseburger casserole recipe can be enjoyed. It’s great for a potluck, cookout or simply for a quick dinner when you want something even simpler to make than burgers.

This is just one of our favorite keto recipes, so if you love this one, there’s more to be had! Many of them are prepared in an air fryer for faster cooking, but if you don’t have one, just use the convection setting in your oven.

Keto Cheeseburger Casserole Ingredients

• Butter: Simply used for sauteing the beef and onion, butter adds a comforting and delicious flavor to this keto casserole.
• Ground beef: The best ground beef for burgers also works great for this casserole. That said, because this dish requires many other ingredients, you can also go with a slightly less expensive ground beef.
• Onion: Sweet onion helps balance the rich and savory flavors of this recipe, but you can also use yellow or white onion.
• Garlic: The garlic in this recipe is sauteed with the other ingredients for a subtle, savory flavor.
• Tomato paste: Not only is tomato sweet and acidic but it also packs a punch of umami, savory flavor.
• Parsley: Although dried parsley is milder than fresh parsley, it still gives a lift to the heavier, creamier parts of this dish.
• Oregano: This recipe calls for dried oregano, but you can add it fresh, sauteeing it a few minutes along with the tomato paste and garlic.
• Pepper: Keto recipes are heavy on fat and protein, so a little fresh black pepper is great to help brighten the overall dish.
• Beef broth: Some of the moisture will naturally evaporate as this casserole bakes. Beef broth puts this moisture back and adds a bunch of delicious flavor.
• Heavy whipping cream: Heavy whipping cream is both a fat and a liquid and helps bind and combine the ingredients in this casserole.
• Mayonnaise: The mayo in this recipe is simply an add on, so if you’re not a fan, feel free to skip it. You can also substitute it for aioli for extra garlic flavor, if you’d like.
• Dill pickle relish: Famously salty and crunchy, dill-pickle relish adds a nice bite to this keto cheeseburger casserole.
• Ketchup: Typically, ketchup is high in sugar so to keep things keto, look for a low sugar variety or simply, add a little extra tomato paste to the dish.
• Worcestershire sauce: Made with tamarind, anchovies and a bevy of other intensely flavored ingredients, Worcestershire sauce is best used in small doses.
• Bacon: Because many keto recipes use meat and animal products, it’s good to make sure you choose quality. To this end, check out our favorite bacon brands for inspiration.
• Cheddar cheese: This cheese melts down like a dream, so it’s great for this casserole recipe. We like sharp cheddar here, but you can choose any variety you’d like.

Directions

Step 1: Saute the beef and onion

Dan Roberts for Taste of Home

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place a Dutch oven over medium heat and melt the butter. Add the ground beef and onion, cooking until the beef is browned and the onion tender, five to six minutes.

Step 2: Add the remaining ingredients

Dan Roberts for Taste of Home

Add the garlic, tomato paste, parsley, oregano, salt and pepper to the Dutch oven. Cook for one minute longer. Stir in the broth, cream, mayonnaise, relish, ketchup and Worcestershire sauce until combined. Stir in the bacon and 1 cup of shredded cheese.

Step 3: Bake and serve

Dan Roberts for Taste of Home

Top the casserole with the remaining 1 cup shredded cheese. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until cooked through.

Keto Cheeseburger Casserole Variations

• Toss in a veg: Vegetables are rich in fiber, which can be useful when eating high fat and protein meals. For example, mushrooms, zucchini and bell peppers are all keto compatible and would taste great in this casserole.
• Serve with bread: While it won’t be the same as your classic burger bun, a good keto bread recipe can give you a similar result. What’s more, homemade keto bread is far more affordable than store bought.

How to Store Keto Cheeseburger Casserole

To store this keto cheeseburger casserole, first let it come to room temperature. Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to four days. Alternatively, you can keep your casserole in the baking dish and cover it in several layers of foil.

Can you freeze keto cheeseburger casserole?

Once the casserole has cooled to room temp, place it in an airtight container and freeze for up to four months. Transfer the container to the fridge and allow it to thaw overnight when you’re ready to enjoy it. The cheese, mayo and heavy cream may change texture slightly, which is normal for emulsions and dairy.

Keto Cheeseburger Casserole Tips

Dan Roberts for Taste of Home

What is the key to making a good keto casserole?

First, it’s good to consider what texture you want for your casserole. Shallow baking dishes will yield a crispier result, while deep dishes make things gooier. For more info, feel free to check out our other essential casserole making tips.

What is the most filling food on keto?

Of course, there is no one definitive “most filling” food on keto, but eating a wide variety of foods is always helpful. For example, sauerkraut, avocado, sardines and coconut are all great options.

How do avoid making a soggy cheeseburger casserole?

Be aware of liquids at every stage of cooking, especially if it’s your first time making this recipe. For example, you may want to drain and reserve the liquid after cooking the beef. Or, if you choose to add vegetables, make sure you precook them to release and drain some of their water content.