Love Tex-Mex flavors? Try our keto taco casserole recipe for a satisfying and delicious low-carb meal. Cheesy, flavorful and oh-so-good!
Keto Taco Casserole
Updated on Oct. 23, 2024
If you’re looking for a hearty and satisfying meal that fits perfectly into your keto lifestyle, look no further than this keto taco casserole. This delicious dish combines all the bold flavors of traditional tacos—think seasoned ground beef, zesty tomatoes and creamy cheese—into a simple one-pan skillet that’s as easy to make as it is to enjoy.
This casserole is not only low in carbs but also packed with protein and healthy fats to keep you feeling full and energized. Plus, it’s customizable! Whether you prefer a bit of spice or extra veggies, you can make it your own. Grab your favorite toppings, serve it DIY style and wait for the compliments to roll in.
Ingredients for Keto Taco Casserole
- Canola oil: This neutral, mild oil is great for browning beef. It’s also low in saturated fat, making it the perfect choice for a keto casserole.
- Beef: We used a pound of ground beef here, but opt for an extra lean package if you can find it to count down on extra fat and calories.
- Vegetables: Chopped onion and sweet red pepper add a nice toothsome texture and play well with the other casserole flavors.
- Taco seasoning: One packet of taco seasoning has everything you need for this Tex-Mex casserole! Nice and easy.
- Diced tomatoes: A can of diced tomatoes with green chiles is the base of your sauce and lends zesty notes to the beef and veggies.
- Cheese: You’ll also need a bag of shredded Mexican cheese to sprinkle on top of the casserole. Although optional, we also snuck in cottage cheese for a super creamy taste and added protein.
- Toppings: We love sliced green onion, sliced black olives, salsa, sour cream, chopped avocado, guacamole and pickled jalapeños as garnishes but feel free to get creative with others.
Directions
Step 1: Brown the beef
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Then add a few drizzles of Canola oil to a large ovenproof skillet and set it to medium heat. Add in the ground beef, onion and red pepper, cooking until beef is browned and vegetables are tender. This should take for six to seven minutes. Break up the beef with the back of a spoon to get smaller crumbles instead of large chunks.
Step 2: Make the cheesy sauce
Once your beef is cooked, stir in the seasoning mix and the can of diced tomatoes. Bring this to a simmer and cook until the sauce has thickened, for two to three minutes. Stir constantly. Add in the cottage cheese if using, and give everything a good mix until it’s well combined. Then, sprinkle the skillet with shredded cheese.
Step 3: Bake the casserole
Bake until the cheese is bubbly and the top of the casserole is golden, for 10 to 15 minutes. Garnish with your go-to toppings and serve.
Keto Taco Casserole Variations
- Switch up the meat: Ground turkey, chicken or bison would also be delicious and a tad healthier.
- Add more veggies: Try adding chopped zucchini, spinach or mushrooms to the mix when you are sauteing the onions and peppers.
- Make it spicier: We only used a package of taco seasoning for this casserole.If you like yours kicked up, toss in a little cayenne, chili powder, red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
How to Store Keto Taco Casserole
Transfer any remaining casserole to sealed airtight containers for easy heat-and-eat meals throughout the week. This is a great meal prep item to make on a Sunday and enjoy all week long for lunches and dinners.
How long does keto taco casserole last?
This keto casserole will stay fresh in the fridge for four to five days if stored properly. If you plan on freezing your leftovers, those will last for up to three months in the freezer.
What’s the best way to reheat keto taco casserole?
To liven up leftovers, sprinkle some fresh cheese on top of the portion you want to reheat and pop it in the microwave for one to three minutes. Top with sliced scallions or cilantro and dig back in. You can also go the oven route by transferring the remaining casserole to a skillet or glass baking dish, adding a bit more cheese and placing under the broiler on low for four to five minutes.
Keto Taco Casserole Tips
How do I make this casserole even healthier?
While it’s already keto, we do have a few tips to make it even healthier. First, look for taco seasonings without added sugar or make your own. Second, cut down on additional fat with extra-lean beef. Third, skip the sour cream topper and use reduced-fat cheese for the casserole.
What can I use besides cottage cheese?
You can use one to two beaten eggs in place of cottage cheese. Eggs are another great protein-packed binder that you won’t even notice once baked.
What goes with keto taco casserole?
Keto-friendly tortilla chips and guacamole. Or, one of these low-carb sides.
Keto Taco Casserole
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
20 min
Yield
4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon canola oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped
- 1 package (1 ounce) taco seasoning
- 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes and green chiles, undrained
- 2 cups (16 ounces) 4% cottage cheese, optional
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
- Toppings: Sliced green onion, sliced black olives, salsa, sour cream, chopped avocado, guacamole, pickled jalapenos
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°. In a large oven-proof skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add ground beef, onion and red pepper; cook until beef is browned and vegetables are tender, 6-7 minutes. Stir in seasoning mix and diced tomatoes. Bring to a simmer; cook until thickened, 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in cottage cheese, if desired. Sprinkle with shredded cheese.
- Bake until cheese is bubbly, 10-15 minutes. Serve with toppings, as desired.
Nutrition Facts
1 serving: 490 calories, 33g fat (14g saturated fat), 120mg cholesterol, 1339mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 33g protein.
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