Keto Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole

This Keto Cheeseburger Casserole with bacon is one of my favorite easy recipes. It’s a great meal prep recipe and will be done in 30 minutes.

I think we all pretty much feel the same way about casseroles…we LOVE them!! They make sticking to a keto diet and just meal planning in general such a breeze. Casseroles typically are much more common in the winter months, but that doesn’t mean you still can’t enjoy them all year round. 

This low carb cheeseburger casserole is a prime example, it’s so good that you should make it any day, week, or month! Making this cheeseburger casserole comes in handy when your husband refuses to grill cheeseburgers while it’s pouring rain…at least that is what happens in our household!

What is Cheeseburger Casserole?

A cheeseburger casserole is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. It’s a combo of ground beef mixed in with cheese, different veggies like onions, and most of the time some pasta gets tossed in. 

All of these ingredients are mixed together then baked in a casserole dish until you reach gooey cheesy perfection.

What Does it Taste Like?

Cheeseburger casseroles taste like you’re eating a cheeseburger without the bun. But normally there is some pasta tossed in with the ground beef so you are still getting a full meal when eating a cheeseburger casserole.

Will My Kids Like It?

If your kids love eating a cheeseburger then they should love eating a cheeseburger casserole. I mean what’s not to love..cheese and ground beef?!

Is Cheeseburger Casserole Keto-Friendly?

A traditional cheeseburger casserole will have pasta in it, which doesn’t make it keto-friendly and low carb. But have no fear…we at I Can’t Believe it’s Low Carb have you covered! 

We came out with a delicious and easy keto cheeseburger casserole that is perfect for those eating a low carb lifestyle. Oh, and did I mention there is bacon involved with this recipe? 

Like I said before, traditional cheeseburger casserole is made with pasta and as we all know pasta is a big no-no when eating low carb. But our low carb cheeseburger casserole is only 2 NET CARBS per cup. If you are new to counting carbs then trust me that’s a good number to have!

What Ingredients are in Low Carb Cheeseburger Casserole?

Ground Beef – 2 lbs ground beef. I prefer 80% or 85% lean because it has some fat still in it which adds flavor. If you go any higher your meat tends to dry out. 

Onion – Chopped onion gives the ground beef some added flavor. Plus onions just go perfectly with any type of ground beef. 

Olive Oil – 1 tablespoon is about all you need to cook the ground beef. A little bit goes a long way. 

Cream Cheese and Cheddar Cheese – The cream cheese not only makes it creamy but also helps to thicken and bind the meat together. And as we all say “Cheddar is Better.” 

Bacon – I don’t think I need to explain why we add bacon to this cheeseburger casserole….

Spices – Combo of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. But feel free to add any other ones that you like.

Which Type of Meat Is Best to Use?

You can’t have a cheeseburger or a low carb bacon cheeseburger casserole without the most important ingredient…GROUND BEEF! 

I like to use 80% or 85% lean ground beef because I don’t like it when my meat dries out. You may need to drain off a little bit of the excess fat if it’s too much. 

Some prefer their meat to be much leaner, so if that’s you then use 90% or 93% lean beef. Just be aware it won’t have as much flavor and plus, meat with a higher fat content is better if you are on a Keto diet.

Best Cheese?

I’m not going to say too much about this but…”CHEDDAR IS BETTER!!” 

Fresh cheddar cheese is a must in a keto bacon cheeseburger casserole. But if you are one of those odd ones that don’t like cheddar, then using Pepper Jack, Swiss, American, Provolone, or even Blue Cheese. 

In addition to the cheddar cheese, I use 4 oz of cream cheese too. It helps to make the casserole creamier and also acts as a binder. 

The combo of both cream cheese and cheddar cheese, I find to be the perfect blend in this keto cheeseburger casserole.

What Veggies to Add?

Casseroles are the best due to the fact you can throw anything in them. I only added onions to my recipes, but feel free to add other veggies. 

Mushrooms would work nicely, and if you want this to be even more filling then try throwing in some cauliflower. That is a great pasta substitute.

What Sauce Should I Use?

I don’t make a separate sauce to pour over this keto bacon cheeseburger casserole, I don’t think it needs it. I just mix in cream cheese and cheddar cheese to make it nice and creamy and it’s perfect!

As an alternative, you can make a sauce out of eggs, heavy cream, shredded cheese, and spices. I personally don’t find it necessary, but that’s me.

What Type of Pan is Best?

This recipe uses a 2.5 qt Corningware baking dish. I tend to use my Corningware the most but there are other options as well. 

You also can use a glass 9×13 casserole dish, or even a little bit smaller one if that’s what you have. My glass pyrex dish comes with a lid that snaps on, which comes in handy for storing it in the fridge or if you are taking the dish somewhere. 

Another option for easy cleanup, or if you are bringing it to a picnic are disposable pans. It’s so nice when you don’t have to wash more dishes or worry about losing your favorite baking dish at someone else’s house. 

You can find them at any grocery store, or what I prefer is to get them at Costco. You can get a whole package for a great price, way cheaper than the regular grocery store.

Do I Have to Pre-Cook the Meat?

Pre-cooking the meat is something I will tell you to DEFINITELY do. If you don’t pre-cook it, you will end up with meatloaf and not a casserole. It only takes less than 10 minutes to pre-cook, so don’t skip it.

How to Make Keto Cheeseburger Casserole 

Here is how to make an easy keto cheeseburger casserole…I will walk you through it step by step. 

Let’s start by getting all of your prep work done first…

Cook the bacon. I will only cook bacon now in the oven, it’s so easy and doesn’t make a mess all over the stove. Bake bacon at 425 on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.

Once the bacon is cooked, chop into pieces.

Chop the onions, they don’t have to be super tiny but definitely bite-sized. Once they are chopped set aside.

Now shred the cheddar cheese. We always prefer shredding our own cheese, and it only takes a minute or two. Set aside.

Cooking the Meat

In a large frying pan or dutch oven add the olive oil and turn the heat on medium-high. 

Add the onions and saute for a minute or two.

Then add the ground beef and cook for about 5-8 minutes.

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Add the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Stir ingredients together.

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Putting the Casserole Together

Now add the cream cheese. Stir together, letting the cream cheese melt thoroughly.

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Add 1 cup of cheddar cheese. Stir together until completely melted into the ground beef.

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Add in the chopped bacon and stir until well combined.

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Transfer the meat mixture into a casserole dish then top with the remaining cheese.

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Place in the oven at 400 degrees for 15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling.

Take the casserole out of the oven and you’re done!

Best Tips 

A few tips for making a low carb bacon cheeseburger casserole: 

• Oven-baked Bacon. If you haven’t tried this yet I highly suggest it. The bacon cooks evenly and there is no mess all over your stove. 
• Make sure to cook the ground beef first, don’t put the casserole together while the meat is raw. 
• Use freshly grated cheese. It not only tastes better but there may actually be hidden carbs in pre-shredded cheese. 
• If freezing leftovers make sure it has reached room temperature before freezing.

Different Variations of Low Carb Cheeseburger Casserole

Can I switch up this keto bacon cheeseburger recipe at all? Absolutely…here are a few ideas:

• Instead of cheddar cheese, you can use Monterey Jack, Swiss, or Blue Cheese.
• If you want some veggies, add mushrooms, pickles, tomatoes, mustard, or ketchup. 
• If you like some spice then add some crushed red pepper flakes or some jalapenos. 
• To add some more volume to your casserole, add in cauliflower. It replaces pasta.
• If you have some nice zucchini from your garden you want to use up, cut them in half and scoop out the seeds and stuff them with the cheeseburger mixture. Now you have Cheeseburger Casserole Zucchini Boats!

Can I Make Cheeseburger Casserole in a Slow Cooker?

Slow cookers and keto cheeseburger casseroles go together like peanut butter and jelly…HAHA.  Or in this case, meat and cheese!

1. Saute the ground beef in a frying pan. 
2. Transfer the ground beef, chopped onions, spices, cream cheese, and 1 cup of shredded cheddar. Stir ingredients together. Cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 5-6 hours. 
3. Top with remaining cheese.

Other Diets This Recipe is Good For

Gluten-Free – This is a great Gluten-Free dish – A lot of casseroles use canned soups which contain gluten, and some have pasta. Ours doesn’t have any traces of gluten which makes it a great dinner option for your celiac friends and family.

Nut-Free – Does anyone have a Nut Allergy? This is also a great option then since it doesn’t have any almond flour or any other tree nut.

What to Serve with Cheeseburger Casserole

Ok, let’s talk about what we can serve with our low carb cheeseburger casserole. This recipe makes a great main dish, so a nice green salad goes great with it. You can also whip up a batch of Keto Dinner Rolls, and some Roasted Broccoli. Now you have a complete meal. 

A few other options that will go nicely are: 

• Spinach Salad with Bacon
• Roasted Cauliflower
• Easy Roasted Green Beans
• Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes 
• Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Bacon

And the list goes on and on…

Can I Make This Recipe Ahead?

Not only are casseroles great for quick weeknight meals, but this bacon cheeseburger casserole can also be made ahead of time and used in meal prep.

Follow the recipe instructions but do not bake. Once the casserole is put together, cover it with foil and place in the fridge until you are ready to bake. It can be stored in the fridge for 24-48 hours.

How to Store

Place your leftovers in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Make sure the casserole has cooled down to room temperature before refrigerating.

How to Reheat

Leftovers are the best…you don’t have to worry about cooking the next day. Reheating your leftover bacon cheese casserole is quick and easy. 

You can either place the leftovers in a microwave-safe bowl and place it in the microwave for 60-90 seconds. To ensure even reheating, you might want to stir partway through. 

If you don’t want to microwave the leftovers then you can place it in a baking dish, cover with foil, and place in the oven at 300 degrees. You might want to add some added shredded cheese on top before placing in the oven.

Can You Freeze Cheeseburger Casserole?

If you want to freeze this keto cheeseburger casserole ahead of time, I say go for it! There are two ways to freeze this casserole. 

• The first way is to prepare the casserole entirely but don’t bake it. Tightly wrap the casserole with plastic wrap, then cover again with foil. Place in the freezer for up to 3 months. 
• The second way is to cook the casserole and serve it for dinner, then place the leftovers in an airtight container and freeze. 

More Great Keto Casserole Recipes

• Keto Green Bean Casserole
• Low Carb Spaghetti Squash Casserole
• Loaded Cauliflower Casserole with Bacon
• Sweet Butternut Squash Casserole
• Low Carb Chicken Enchilada Casserole

They all are Keto-friendly and low carb, and will be a hit at your next party!

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