Description

A comforting, low-carb casserole that delivers all the cheeseburger goodness without the bun. Perfect for keto and low-carb diets, this easy recipe combines smoky bacon, seasoned ground beef, and a creamy cheese sauce for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb (450g) ground beef (80/20)
6 slices thick-cut bacon
2 cups (200g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
4 oz (115g) cream cheese, softened
½ cup (120ml) heavy cream
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional: diced pickles or 1 tablespoon pickle juice

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain and crumble once cool.
Brown the ground beef in the bacon fat left in the skillet (or drain if too much) over medium-high heat until cooked through, about 7-9 minutes. Break it up with a spatula to avoid clumps.
Drain excess grease if needed, leaving a little for flavor. Season the beef with onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
In a mixing bowl, soften the cream cheese. Whisk in heavy cream and mustard until smooth. Stir in 1 ½ cups (150g) of shredded cheddar cheese.
Add the browned beef and crumbled bacon to the cheese sauce and mix well to coat evenly.
Pour the mixture into a prepared 9×9-inch (23×23 cm) baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup (50g) of cheddar cheese on top.
Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

If the top browns too fast, cover loosely with foil halfway through baking. Crisp bacon is essential for texture contrast. Softening cream cheese completely avoids lumps in the sauce. You can broil for 1-2 minutes at the end for a golden crust but watch carefully to prevent burning. Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole
Calories: 420
Fat: 35
Carbohydrates: 3
Fiber: 1
Protein: 25

Keywords: keto, bacon, cheeseburger, casserole, low-carb, comfort food, easy recipe, no bun, ketogenic, dinner