Keto Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole
That craving for a juicy cheeseburger can hit you hard, especially when you’re trying to stick to keto.
You know the feeling. You want the beef, the cheese, the bacon, all of it. But the bun is a big no-go.
This Keto Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole gives you all those amazing flavors you miss, without any of the guilt. It’s simple, filling, and your whole family will love it.
What You’ll Need
Here are the simple ingredients that bring this dish to life. Most of these are probably in your kitchen right now.
| Category | Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Meat | Ground Beef (80/20) | 2 pounds |
| Bacon, chopped | 8 slices | |
| Dairy | Cream Cheese | 4 ounces |
| Heavy Cream | 1/2 cup | |
| Cheddar Cheese | 2 cups | |
| Veggies | Onion, diced | 1 medium |
| Garlic, minced | 2 cloves | |
| Dill Pickles, diced | 1/2 cup | |
| Sauce & Spice | Mayonnaise | 1/2 cup |
| Sugar-Free Ketchup | 1/4 cup | |
| Yellow Mustard | 2 tablespoons | |
| Salt & Pepper | To taste |
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
You don’t need any fancy equipment for this one. Just the basics will do.
- Large Skillet
- 9×13 Inch Casserole Dish
- Mixing Bowls
- Spatula or Wooden Spoon
- Knife and Cutting Board
How to Make It
This comes together pretty fast. Just follow these simple steps.
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook the chopped bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until it’s nice and crispy.
Step 2: Take the bacon out with a slotted spoon and set it on a paper towel to drain. Leave about a tablespoon of the bacon grease in the skillet.
Step 3: Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until it starts to get soft. Then add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until you can smell it.
Step 4: Put the ground beef into the skillet. Break it up with your spatula and cook until it’s browned all the way through.
Step 5: Drain all the extra grease from the beef. This is a very important step, so don’t skip it! A greasy casserole is no good.
Step 6: Turn the heat down to low. Add the cream cheese, heavy cream, mayonnaise, sugar-free ketchup, and mustard to the skillet with the beef.
Step 7: Stir everything together until the cream cheese is fully melted and you have a creamy sauce coating the beef. Season with salt and pepper.
Step 8: Gently stir in the diced pickles and half of the crispy bacon.
Step 9: Spread the beef mixture evenly into your 9×13 inch casserole dish.
Step 10: Sprinkle all of the shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Then sprinkle the rest of the bacon on top of the cheese.
Step 11: Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and just starting to brown around the edges.
Step 12: Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. This helps it set up so it’s not too runny.
Pro Tips from My Kitchen
I’ve made this dish more times than I can count. Here are a few tricks I’ve learned along the way.
- Don’t Skip Draining the Fat. I said it before, but it’s worth saying again. Ground beef and bacon release a lot of grease. If you leave it in, your casserole will be a sloppy, oily mess. Drain it well for the perfect creamy texture.
- Shred Your Own Cheese. Pre-shredded cheese has stuff like potato starch added to keep it from clumping. This can make your cheese melt weirdly and even add a few carbs. Buying a block of cheddar and shredding it yourself takes two minutes and makes a huge difference.
- Get a Good Brown on the Beef. When you cook the ground beef, let it sit in the hot pan without moving it for a few minutes. This helps it get a nice brown crust, which adds a ton of flavor. Don’t just stir it around constantly until it turns gray.
Swaps and Changes
This recipe is great as is, but you can definitely play around with it.
- Try Different Meats: Ground turkey, ground chicken, or even ground sausage would work. Just be mindful of the fat content.
- Switch Up the Cheese: Provolone, Monterey Jack, or a spicy pepper jack would all be delicious. Use your favorite!
- Add Some Veggies: Sautéed mushrooms or diced bell peppers can be cooked with the onion for extra flavor and nutrients.
- Make it Spicy: Add a dash of hot sauce or some chopped jalapeños to the beef mixture for a little kick.
| Swap Idea | What to Change | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Spicy Version | Add jalapeños | A nice heat |
| Turkey Burger | Use ground turkey | A leaner meal |
| Mushroom Swiss | Use Swiss cheese | Earthy flavor |
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
This is a great meal for prepping ahead of time.
You can assemble the entire casserole without baking it. Just cover it tightly and keep it in the fridge for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to eat, you may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
Leftovers and Storage
Got leftovers? Lucky you.
Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
You can reheat individual portions in the microwave. Or, you can put the whole dish back in the oven at 350°F until it’s warmed through.
This casserole also freezes surprisingly well. Let it cool completely, then cover it tightly with plastic wrap and foil. It will last in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.
FAQs
Here are some questions I get asked a lot.
Q1. My casserole came out really greasy. What went wrong?
Ans: You most likely didn’t drain the fat from the ground beef and bacon well enough. Make sure to get as much of it out as you can before you add the creamy ingredients.
Q2. Can I use pre-cooked bacon to save time?
Ans: You can, but the flavor and texture won’t be as good. Cooking your own bacon adds a lot of flavor, and you can use the bacon grease to cook the onions, which makes everything better.
Q3. What can I serve with this?
Ans: A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette is perfect. Steamed broccoli, cauliflower rice, or roasted asparagus are also great keto-friendly sides.
Wrapping Up
This Keto Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole is a real lifesaver when you want something comforting and easy. It hits all the right notes and keeps you on track.
Give it a try this week. I’d love to hear how it turns out for you. Drop a comment below and let me know if you made any fun changes
