This keto ground beef casserole is an easy and delicious one pan dinner the whole family will love. Savory ground beef, marinara and different cheeses make for a tasty low carb dinner with just 3.2g net carbs.
You might also like the popular low carb cheeseburger casserole recipe!
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I don’t know about you but in winter I really like casseroles. Casseroles were made for low carb or keto diets because they are filled with savory ingredients like meats, cheeses, cream, etc. Then just add some lower carb vegetables and you have a yummy, gooey keto casserole!
Today I was inspired by my friend who always makes something called Johhny Roestti. I have never had it but I found out it’s a dish with noodles, ground beef and tomato sauce. This is my low carb version of that dish. This keto ground beef casserole is now my favorite dish. Seriously it is sooooo good!
Other low carb casseroles
I love casseroles even though I didn’t grow up with them. The fact that they have everything in one bite appeals to me. So on this blog I have quite a few low carb keto casseroles you might like if you enjoy comfort foods:
Keto Ground beef casserole ingredients
Today I used the follow ingredient to make this decadent low carb casserole: ground beef, fennel seed, Italian seasonings, paprika, low carb marinara sauce, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, cream cheese, eggs and heavy cream.
Note that I really like this marinara sauce I get at Aldi. It’s called Specially Selected Premium Marinara sauce and has 5g net carbs per 1/2 cup of sauce. There are lower carb sauces that you can buy on Amazon. This Organico Bello has 2g net carbs and this Rao’s has 3g net carbs per half cup. However I have not tried either but they have good reviews. I have these and some other low carb condiments you might like in my Amazon store.
Ground Beef Casserole Recipe
This is not a very difficult low carb casserole to make and I have pictures below to show you some of the steps but here it is in a nutshell:
- Microwave the cauliflower for 5 minutes.
- Add the beef and spices to a skillet and brown.
- When the beef is browned and the cauliflower is done, mix together and then spoon into a baking dish.
- In the skillet add the cream cheese, cream and Parmesan cheese.
- Whisk until the cheeses are melted. Let it cool a bit and then add in the beaten egg and pour over meat and cauliflower mixture.
- Spoon the sauce onto the casserole and then top with mozzarella cheese.
- Bake 30 minutes until brown and bubbly.
Brown the meat in a skillet along with the fennel, Italian spices and paprika. This will give it a bit of an Italian sausage taste. In the meantime you can cook the cauliflower in the microwave and then add to the beef mixture. Next spoon into a casserole dish.
To make the cream sauce, whisk the cream cheese, Parmesan cheese and cream in a skillet until the cheeses are melted and well combined. Let it cool a bit and then add in the beaten egg and pour over the meat mixture.
Now we spoon the sauce on top and sprinkle the cheese.
Bake for about 30 minutes until the cheese is nice and brown.
Well I hope you like this keto ground beef casserole as much as I did. I froze some for a quick lunch and reheated it and reheated it still tastes great. This is one of my favorite meals now so if you like casseroles give this one a try. The nutritional information for 1/8 of this casserole is”
334 cals / 25.2g fat / 4.6g carbs /. 1.4g fiber / 22g protein = 3.2g net carbs
Low Carb Keto Ground Beef Casserole
This keto ground beef casserole is an easy and delicious one pan dinner the whole family will love. Savory ground beef, marinara and different cheeses make for a tasty low carb dinner with just 3.2g net carbs.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 teaspoon fennel seed
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian spice seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 cups cauliflower florets
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/4 cup cream cheese (2 oz)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 cup marinara sauce (I used Specialty Selects)
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
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Add the beef to a skillet along with the fennel, Italian seasonings and paprika. Cook until browned.
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In the meantime place the cauliflower in the microwave and cook for 5 minutes.
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Once brown, add in cauliflower mix and then spoon into a baking dish. Note* I used a leaner ground beef. If you use a fattier ground beef and have a lot of grease, please drain it before adding the cauliflower.
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To mkae the cheese sauce, in the skillet add the cream cheese, cream and Parmesan cheese. Whisk until the cheeses are melted then take it off the stove and let cool a bit.
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Add in the beaten egg to the cooled cheese sauce, whisk and then pour over meat and cauliflower mixture.
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Spoon the sauce onto the casserole and then top with mozzarella cheese.
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Bake 30 minutes until brown and bubbly.
Mary
October 13, 2019 at 10:26 amHi,
Can you brown the meat and get it ready a few hours before putting in the oven?
Denise
October 14, 2019 at 6:53 amHi Mary,
Yes that shouldn’t be a problem. I hope you enjoy it!
Pat good
September 27, 2019 at 2:47 pmWill you please let me know what size casserole pan
Denise
September 28, 2019 at 7:13 amHi Pat, I think it was a 9×13 pan? I’m sorry but I don’t quite remember. Hope that helps!
Theresa
September 8, 2019 at 6:09 pmGreat recipe although I was confused in the typed recipe where to put the cream cheese mixture. I didn’t see it there, but the pictures gave me an idea of where it should go. Happy to find this recipe.
Denise
September 9, 2019 at 6:26 amHi Theresa, I so glad you liked it. I’m sorry if the instructions were not clear but I’ve fixed them for everyone else. Thanks for bringing that to my attention!
Emily
August 29, 2019 at 8:15 pmDo you drain the cooked ground beef? It doesn’t say.
Denise
August 30, 2019 at 7:32 amHi Emily,
I did not because I used a leaner ground beef. But if it seems to greasy to you, yes drain the grease. I’ll add that to the recipe. Thanks for pointing that out and good luck!
Michelle
May 28, 2019 at 8:41 pmThis is my new go to favorite casserole, 3rd time making it. I’ve Aldo shared it with a couple friends and they love it also. I one thing I added was sautéed mushrooms and some roasted garlic. Just delicious
Denise
May 29, 2019 at 7:04 amThanks Michelle, I’ll have to try that next time!
Kelsey Rickert
March 4, 2019 at 9:29 amWith a busy work schedule we have to have a casserole on hand at least once a week! I have been in a casserole funk so this will help get me out of that! Love that it is low carb and keto friendly too!
Chef and Steward
March 4, 2019 at 9:29 amTotally saving this because it is keto, easy and looks amazingly delicious! It’s the kind of meal you want to tuck in with a spoon and served in a bowl!
Markus Mueller
March 3, 2019 at 10:02 pmI don’t eat keto, but I would still love making this! Its almost like Sheppards pie minus the potatoes!
Deseree
March 3, 2019 at 7:52 pmDelicious, healthy, and keto friendly! You can bet that I am adding this to my menu next week.
Jacque
March 3, 2019 at 7:50 pmI made this and my family had no idea how healthy it actually was. Perfect for the whole family!
Denise
March 4, 2019 at 6:39 amHi Jacque, so glad they liked it!
Julie
March 3, 2019 at 3:35 pmI love how quick and easy this recipe is! Do you think the leftovers would freeze well?
Denise
March 3, 2019 at 6:01 pmHi Julie, Yes I have frozen it before and it comes out fine. Just a few minutes in the microwave to heat it up.
Loreto Nardelli
March 3, 2019 at 2:21 pmThis casserole screams comfort and yum. Love the combination of cauliflower beef and the sauce and cheese. Sounds just scrumptious!
Cheers!
Michelle
March 3, 2019 at 2:14 pmI love casseroles in winter. This looks so comforting and tasty and I love all the flavours in this, especially the fennel seeds, so good!
Denise
March 3, 2019 at 6:02 pmThanks Michelle! The fennel seeds give the meat that Italian sausage taste.
Jo
March 3, 2019 at 8:38 amI’m a huge fan of casserole recipes. Your beef casserole dish looks perfect and comforting. Would be perfect for chilly winter nights.
Jennifer
March 2, 2019 at 11:42 amThis casserole is delicious! My family loved it!
Denise
March 3, 2019 at 6:28 amHi Jennifer,
So glad you liked it! It’s my new favorite now.
Heather
March 2, 2019 at 11:38 amOoh this looks good. And I’ve been trying to watch the carbs lately so can’t wait to try this. I have a head of cauliflower too that has been sitting in the fridge. Can’t wait to use it in this recipe!
Denise
March 3, 2019 at 6:27 amHi Heather! I hope you like it. I have SOOOO many cauliflower recipes so if you want to use cauliflower come back and check them out!
Beth Neels
February 26, 2019 at 1:42 pmI just love casseroles in the winter, as well! They are so comforting! This sounds so flavorful, I don’t think you could even miss the noodles! Yummy!
Paulette Carter
February 25, 2019 at 10:03 amYou did not list the cauliflower in the ingredient list in the recipe.
Denise
February 27, 2019 at 8:15 amHi Paulette, thanks for catching that! I fixed the recipe and I hope you like it!