Keto Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe
If you’re craving all the juicy, cheesy, bacon-y goodness of a cheeseburger without the carbs, then you are going to LOVE this Keto Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe. Seriously, this dish hits all the right notes — smoky bacon, savory ground beef, melty cheddar cheese, and just the right tang from pickles and ketchup — all baked into one comforting casserole. It’s one of those recipes I keep coming back to when I want a low-carb dinner that feels indulgent but won’t knock me out of ketosis. Stick with me and I’ll walk you through every step so you nail it on your first try.
Why This Recipe Works
- Flavor Harmony: The classic cheeseburger flavors come together in this casserole, making it familiar yet comforting in a new form.
- Keto-Friendly Ingredients: No hidden carbs here — everything is carefully chosen to keep it low-carb and keto-approved.
- Easy Prep & Quick Bake: Under 45 minutes total and made with simple steps, perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.
- Customizable: There’s so much wiggle room to tweak the flavors or add your favorite keto-friendly extras.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The ingredients for this Keto Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe blend rich, savory, and tangy flavors that balance perfectly. Each one plays a role — from the smoky bacon to the creamy cheese — making this dish way more exciting than your typical casserole. Plus, I’ll share a few tips to keep your shopping and prep smooth.
- Bacon: Use thick-cut if you can — it crisps up nicely and adds that smoky crunch that’s unbeatable.
- Ground Beef: Go for 80/20 ground beef for the perfect fat content, which keeps the casserole juicy and flavorful.
- Seasoning Salt & Garlic Powder: These simple spices boost the beef’s natural flavor without overpowering.
- Onion and Garlic: Fresh aromatics that bring a subtle sweetness and depth to the dish.
- Cream Cheese: Adds creaminess and helps bind the flavors together — soften it a bit before mixing for easier blending.
- No Sugar Added Ketchup: Gives you the tangy, slightly sweet ketchup flavor without sneaky carbs.
- Worcestershire Sauce: A splash adds umami and a subtle savory complexity you won’t want to skip.
- Dill Pickle Chips: They’re the unexpected star — tangy and crunchy, balancing out the richness perfectly.
- Eggs and Heavy Whipping Cream: These bind all the ingredients and add a custard-like richness to the casserole.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar melts beautifully, lending gooey cheesy layers you’ll fall in love with.
Tweak to Your Taste
I love making this Keto Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe my own by switching up seasonings or adding some extra veggies. Don’t hesitate to experiment — keto recipes are great like that. If you want more heat, toss in some chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce. Want more crunch? Try sprinkling pork rinds on top before baking for extra texture.
- Variation: One time, I swapped out the cheddar for pepper jack cheese to give it a smoky kick. It was a hit at my potluck!
- Vegetarian Adaptation: Use sautéed mushrooms and walnuts instead of beef and bacon for a hearty, low-carb veggie bake.
- Seasonal Twist: Adding a handful of chopped spinach or kale sneaks in extra nutrients without altering the flavor too much.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Keto Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Cook and Prep the Bacon
I start by cooking the bacon until it’s nice and crispy — I like to cook it in a large skillet on medium heat so it doesn’t burn. Once it’s golden and crisp, I transfer it to paper towels to drain and cool, then I roughly chop it up. Pro tip: Save a bit of bacon grease in the pan to brown the ground beef next; it adds an extra layer of flavor that you can’t beat.
Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef with Seasonings
In the same skillet, I add the ground beef, seasoning salt, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Then toss in the chopped onion and garlic. While cooking over medium heat, I make sure to crumble the beef evenly to promote browning. When the beef is no longer pink, I drain excess fat but keep enough to keep the mixture juicy—don’t go too lean here, as some fat is necessary.
Step 3: Add Cream Cheese, Ketchup, and Worcestershire Sauce
Turn the heat slightly up and add softened cream cheese, no sugar added ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce to the beef mixture. Stir until the cream cheese melts fully and everything looks beautifully combined. This mixture should be warm and creamy now — it’s basically the heart of your keto cheeseburger flavor packed in one pan!
Step 4: Layer the Casserole
Spread that beef mixture evenly in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle the chopped bacon and the sliced dill pickles on top. I love using pickles here because their tang cuts through the richness perfectly. Don’t skip them!
Step 5: Make the Egg and Cheese Mixture & Bake
In a bowl, whisk together eggs, heavy cream, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Pour this evenly over the beef and bacon layers, then top with the remaining cheddar. Pop it in the oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and golden around the edges. Let it cool for about 5 minutes before serving — this helps everything set and makes it easier to scoop.
Pro Tips for Making Keto Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe
- Don’t Overcook the Bacon: Crispy but not burnt bacon adds the best texture contrast — watch closely as it cooks to avoid bitterness.
- Keep Some Fat for Flavor: When browning the beef, draining all fat can dry it out; save a little bacon grease or beef fat to keep it juicy.
- Use Fresh Pickles for Best Crunch: Dill pickle chips are key — their acidity and crunch brighten the dish tremendously.
- Let It Rest Before Serving: Cooling the casserole slightly helps it set and makes slicing portions easier without a mess.
How to Serve Keto Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
I like topping my slices with a little fresh shredded lettuce or chopped green onions to add a bit of freshness and crunch. A dollop of sugar-free mayonnaise or a squirt of mustard can also turn it into a more “burger-like” experience that feels familiar and fun.
Side Dishes
Since this casserole is pretty rich and filling on its own, I often pair it with simple sides like a crisp leafy green salad dressed with olive oil and vinegar or steamed broccoli with lemon. Sometimes, keto-friendly coleslaw on the side rounds it out nicely too.
Creative Ways to Present
If I’m serving this for a casual dinner party, I like to bake it in mini ramekins to make individual portions. It feels fancy but is still super cozy. You can even place small pickle slices on top for a cute burger ‘patty’ look. It gets lots of compliments!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavors actually deepen a bit overnight, making it even tastier the next day. Just keep the pickles separate if you want them extra crisp.
Freezing
This casserole freezes really well. I portion it out, wrap tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, I prefer using the oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes to get the cheese melty and fresh again. Microwaving works too if you’re in a rush, but you might lose some of the crispness on top.
FAQs
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Can I make this Keto Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe dairy-free?
Absolutely! You can swap out the cream cheese and cheddar cheese for dairy-free alternatives like cashew-based cream cheese and nutritional yeast or dairy-free shredded cheese. Just keep in mind it might change the texture slightly but the flavor will still be delicious.
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Is this Keto Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, it’s perfect for meal prep. You can prepare it in advance, bake it fresh when ready, or fully cook and refrigerate or freeze portions for busy days. The casserole reheats well and stays satisfying.
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Can I add vegetables to this casserole?
Definitely! Low-carb veggies like spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini work great. Just add them when you cook the beef or layer them in before baking. It’s a great way to sneak in some greens.
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What’s the best cheese to use for this recipe?
I like sharp cheddar cheese because it melts well and gives that classic cheeseburger flavor. However, you can mix in mozzarella or pepper jack if you want a different twist — both melt nicely too.
Final Thoughts
This Keto Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it’s that perfect dinner when you want something comforting but totally keto-friendly. It’s easy enough for weekday meals but impressive enough to serve company. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do—once you try it, I bet it’ll become one of your go-to recipes too!
Print
Keto Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Carb
Description
This Low Carb Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole is a hearty, flavorful dish combining crispy bacon, seasoned ground beef, cream cheese, and melted cheddar cheese for a comforting, keto-friendly meal perfect for dinner or meal prep.
Ingredients
Meat and Seasoning
- 1/2 pound bacon, roughly chopped
- 1 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon seasoning salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
Sauces and Dairy
- 2 oz cream cheese
- 2 tablespoons no sugar added ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Additional Ingredients
- 6 dill pickle chips, sliced (adjust to preference)
Instructions
- Preheat and cook bacon. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook the bacon according to the package instructions until crispy. Once done, roughly chop and set aside.
- Brown seasoned ground beef. In a skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef. Season evenly with seasoning salt, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add chopped onion and garlic. Break up the meat and cook until fully browned.
- Drain and mix in cream cheese and sauces. Drain excess grease from the meat, then return it to medium-high heat. Add cream cheese, no sugar added ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir to combine and heat through.
- Assemble casserole base. Remove the beef mixture from heat and spread evenly into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Top evenly with the chopped bacon and sliced dill pickles.
- Prepare custard topping. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, heavy cream, and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Pour this mixture evenly over the beef, bacon, and pickles in the baking dish.
- Add remaining cheese and bake. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the casserole. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Cool and serve. Remove casserole from the oven and let cool for about 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set.
Notes
- Use no sugar added ketchup to keep the dish low carb.
- Adjust the number of dill pickle chips to your taste preference for tanginess.
- For extra cheesiness, you can add more shredded cheddar on top before baking.
- Letting the casserole cool before serving helps it hold together better for serving.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking for convenience.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg