Easy Keto Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole
(One-Pan Low-Carb Comfort Food)
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6
Difficulty: Easy
Dietary: Keto, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free
Equipment Needed:
- Large oven-safe skillet (or 9×13 baking dish)
- Mixing bowl
- Cheese grater
- Cutting board & knife
Alternative: Regular skillet + baking dish if you don’t have an oven-safe skillet
Ingredients:
Base:
- Ground beef – 2 pounds (900g)
- Bacon – 8 slices, diced
- Yellow onion – 1 medium, diced (optional)
- Garlic – 3 cloves, minced
Cheese Sauce:
- Cream cheese – 8 oz (225g), softened
- Heavy cream – 1 cup (240ml)
- Eggs – 3 large
- Cheddar cheese – 2 cups (200g), shredded
- Salt – 1 teaspoon
- Black pepper – 1/2 teaspoon
- Garlic powder – 1 teaspoon
- Mustard powder – 1/2 teaspoon
Topping:
- Extra cheddar – 1 cup (100g)
[Can substitute any melting cheese]
Method:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook diced bacon in skillet until crispy (about 5-7 minutes). Remove and set aside, leaving fat in pan.
- Brown ground beef in bacon fat until no pink remains (8-10 minutes). Drain excess fat if desired.
- While meat cooks, mix cheese sauce ingredients in bowl until smooth.
- Add bacon back to beef, stir to combine.
- Pour cheese mixture over meat.
- Top with remaining cheese.
- Bake 20-25 minutes until golden and bubbly (edges should be lightly browned).
Crucial Tips:
- Let cream cheese soften at room temperature first.
- Don’t overcook – casserole will continue setting as it cools.
- Look for bubbling edges as a doneness indicator.
Storage & Scaling:
Storage:
- Refrigerate up to 4 days.
- Freeze portions up to 2 months.
- Reheat in microwave or oven until hot.
Scaling:
- Recipe easily halves for smaller portions.
- Double ingredients for larger groups (use multiple pans).
Variations:
- Mexican: Add taco seasoning and top with jalapeños.
- Pizza: Include pepperoni and Italian seasonings.
- Mushroom Swiss: Swap cheese and add sautéed mushrooms.
- Big Mac Style: Top with shredded lettuce, pickles, special sauce.
Common Mistakes:
- Using cold cream cheese (creates lumps).
- Overcooking eggs (makes texture rubbery).
- Not draining excess fat (makes final dish greasy).
- Under-seasoning (taste and adjust before baking).
This hearty casserole delivers all the flavors of a great burger while keeping carbs low. Perfect for meal prep and family dinners!
