This Mexican low carb taco casserole needs only 6 ingredients and you can make it in the slow cooker. It’s cheesy, creamy and made with spicy Mexican flavored ground beef. Each serving is only 6.2g net carbs. This keto Mexican casserole can be made in the Instant Pot too!
You might also like these low carb slow cooker recipes!
This week on Sunday Supper we are celebrating slow cooker comfort foods. To me comfort food is full of creamy and cheesy goodness and this Mexican low carb taco casserole does not disappoint.
It’s made with one of my favorite low carb dinner combinations of ground beef and cabbage. Today I just added in some Mexican seasonings and cream cheese to spice it up.
Is Cabbage Low Carb Or Keto?
Cabbage is low carb and low calorie but also very nutritious. In 1 cup of raw cabbage there has only 22 calories and 3g net carbs. It’s also very high in vitamin C and vitamin K.
I love to use cooked cabbage as a substitute for pasta but it’s also great in soups and salads.
How To Make This Taco Casserole Low Carb
- To keep it low carb I used cabbage noodles instead of pasta and it worked perfectly.
- I used packaged taco seasoning but you can make this even lower carb if you make your own taco seasoning.
- Cream cheese and diced tomatoes all have different carb counts depending on what brands you use. I used a Mexican diced tomatoes with chiles and it’s lower in carbs than regular diced tomatoes so I would suggest you do the same.
- Shredded cheese sometimes has a few more carbs than if you grated a block of cheese by hand.
- I bought all of my ingredients from Aldi to calculate the nutrition for this recipe.
Let’s Make Our Taco Casserole!
So you begin by browning the ground beef with half of the taco seasoning in a large saute pan. Once it’s mostly cooked, add it to the slow cooker along with the rest of the ingredients.
If you get a chance, try to mix it up half way but you don’t have to. You can wait and do that 5 minutes before you serve it.
So you can see how you can make this in only a few minutes and then set and forget in the slow cooker.
Making It In The Instant Pot
Above and below you can see the Instant Pot version. There is a bit more liquid in it but it’s essential the same. You just a tablespoon of oil and use the saute function to brown the meat first. Then sprinkle in the seasoning, tomatoes and cabbage and mix well.
Secure the lid and pressure cook manually for 10 minutes. Do an immediate pressure release and then add the cheddar and cream cheeses. Mix for a few minutes until the cheeses melt.
And that is all there is to it. Think of this dish as a Mexican flavored, deconstructed cabbage roll without the rice.
I hope you like this low carb taco casserole as much as we did. For more delicious slow cooker recipes, scroll down to see what my friends have for you! The nutritional information for 1 serving is:
385 cals / 26.4g fat / 9.1g carbs / 2.9g fiber / 26.5g protein = 6.2g net carbs
For another great low carb cabbage recipe, check out my friend Anita’s keto cabbage rolls!
Slow Cooker Low Carb Mexican Taco Casserole
This slow cooker low carb Mexican taco casserole needs only 6 ingredients. It's cheesy, creamy and full of those spicy Mexican flavors. Each serving is only 6.2g net carbs.
Ingredients
- 1 can tomatoes with chilies
- 4 cups shredded cabbage
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasonings
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar
Instructions
To make in the slow cooker.
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In a large saute pan brown the meat with half of the taco seasoning.
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Add cabbage, tomatoes, taco mix, beef mixture, cream cheese and cheese to the slow cooker.
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Cook on high for 3-4 hours and mix half way through. Or cook on low all day.
Mix well before serving.
To make in the Instant Pot.
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Add a tablespoon of oil to the pot and hit the saute button. Brown the meat and then mix in the spices, tomatoes and cabbage.
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Secure the lid and pressure cook using the manual button for 10 minutes. When done do a quick release and open the pot.
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Add the cheddar and cream cheeses and mix for a few minutes until they melt.
Joan says
i made it in the Insta Pot. it was so easy and delicious!!
Denise says
Hi Joan, so glad you liked it!
Cortney says
How much water do you add to it for the slow cooker version? Can’t wait to try this! Thanks!
Denise says
Hi Cortney, you don’t have to add water to either versions. There will be liquid in the canned tomatoes and the cabbage will release liquid as it cooks. Hope you enjoy it!
VetteWoman says
Denise, do you cook this on low or high for 4 hours?
Denise says
Hi, I cook it on high for 3-4 hours. I think if you did it on low it would only take about 6 hours because you are basically just trying to get the cabbage softened. Hope you like it!
Debbie says
This is my go to recipe.. love it!!! I make double recipe and freeze remainder. So good!!!
Denise says
Hi Debbie, I’m so glad you liked it! Thanks for coming back and commenting … I really appreciate it!
Scott Oberbeck says
I’m about easy too. Approximately how many ounces of shredded cabbage make 4 cups? They have 10oz packages of shredded cabbageat local store…..again, all about easy. Thank you.
Denise says
Hi Scott, I just googled it and it is 3.5oz per 1 cup so 14 oz? You don’t have to be exact with this recipe but it will affect your carb count if that matters to you. Hope you like it!
Karen says
What size can of tomatoes with chilies please?
Denise says
Hi Karen,
I use a 10 oz can that I buy at Aldi. It’s their Mexican brand Casa Mamita.
Debbie says
I made this and I found it to be more delicious than I expected! It was great as leftovers as well!
Denise says
I know what you mean. I wish it was better looking because it’s really tasty. Glad you liked it.
Paul C says
What is one serving size?
Denise says
Hi Paul, originally I did this visually but I would say it’s roughly 3/4 cup. Hope that helps!
Lisa Pilkington says
This is the second time I made this. Delicious and my husband raves about it. So easy to make !
Denise says
Hi Lisa,
So glad your hubby likes it! I haven’t made this in awhile, so I’ll have to get out my slow cooker and make it. Thanks for taking the time to come back and comment. I appreciate it!
Nikki says
I cannot wait to try this! We love Mexican dishes at my house!
Denise says
So do we Nikki. Hope you like it!
Marcelle says
So simple, and I know from the ingredients it’s delicious! I will have to make this one soon 🙂
Denise says
Just it is very simple. I cheated a bit with the taco mix but it made it that much easier. 🙂
Arlene Mobley says
Denise
I love how easy this is to put together and cook in the slow cooker. I can’t wait to try it!
Denise says
Yes, it’s one of those dump and go type recipes.
Liz says
SO easy! And being low carb is a huge bonus!!! It looks delicious.
Denise says
Yes that is what I was going for…..low carb and easy!
David @ Cooking Chat says
good way to make the tasty dish healthy with some cabbage. I bet is soaks up a lot of good flavor, too!
Denise says
I love cabbage …. it really is a good substitute for pasta in some dishes.