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    Home » Casseroles » Keto Cheeseburger Casserole - Oven or Instant Pot

    Keto Cheeseburger Casserole - Oven or Instant Pot

    Published: Sep 2, 2021 by Wendy Polisi Modified: Feb 15, 2022 · 1440 words. · About 8 minutes to read this article.

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    Photo of a Keto Cheeseburger Casserole with a spoon in it and the recipe title printed beneath it.

    Cheeseburgers have always been a guilty pleasure of mine. This Keto Cheeseburger Casserole delivers all the flavors with none of the carbs. Perfectly seasoned ground beef is tossed with ketchup, mustard, and pickles and topped off with a generous sprinkling of cheese. The final touch is a zippy sauce made from mayonnaise, mustard, and pickle juice.

    Overhead photo of Keto Cheeseburger Casserole in a light blue casserole dish.

    I have loved cheeseburgers since I was a child and always assumed that this was something I'd outgrow as I got older.

    It turns out, cheeseburger love isn't something one gets over. To this day, I still have a soft spot for a great burger.

    This Keto Cheeseburger Casserole is SO easy to make and is my favorite low-carb way to enjoy my favorite flavors.

    Best of all, all of my kids like this recipe - it is one of their favorite low-carb casseroles.

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      Anything that requires less than 15 minutes of hands-on time that the whole family enjoys is a win in my book.

      Ingredients for Making Keto Hamburger Casserole

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      • Ground Beef -  You can use any ground beef you want. If you use 80/20, you may want to drain the excess fat off. This is entirely a personal preference.
      • Onion - I used white onion; yellow or red works fine.
      • Garlic - If you don't have fresh garlic, you can use ¼ teaspoon garlic powder.
      • Cream Cheese - Make sure you are using full fat.
      • Dill Pickles and Pickle Juice - Make sure you read the label! Some dill pickle brands have sugar, and many also have artificial colors that you may want to avoid. My go-to brand is Bubbies, which you will find in the refrigerator section.
      • Ketchup -  I make my own. If you don't want to do this, look for a sugar-free version. Primal Kitchen makes one, but there are others out there. If you are keto, make sure you don't skip this, and traditional ketchup has sugar in it.
      • Yellow Mustard  - I prefer yellow mustard here, but Dijon would work as well.
      • Salt and Pepper  - Feel free to adjust the quantities to your personal preference.
      • Cheddar Cheese - Cheddar is a classic hamburger combination, but use whatever kind of cheese that you like. If you use Swiss, adding in sauteed mushrooms is a fun way to switch things up.
      • Mayonnaise -  Did you know that many brands of mayo contain sugar in them in small amounts? If you are strict keto, make sure you read the labels.
      • Optional Toppings -  Anything you would typically put on your burger works here!
      Photo of a keto quickstart guide with the description of the guide on the right.

      What Do You Serve With This Keto Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe?

      • I recommend topping this with shredded romaine lettuce, fresh chopped tomatoes, pickles, and cooked chopped bacon.
      • If you like, serve it all on top of cooked cauliflower rice.
      • A simple green salad is also a nice side here.

      Tips & Variations

      • To make Keto Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole, add 8 ounces of cooked and crumbled bacon to the ground beef just before you transfer it to the casserole dish.
      • I like to use cheddar cheese here, but any cheese that you like works here. Whatever kind you use, fresh grated works best.
      • If you would like a bit more spice, add ½ teaspoon chili powder and ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper.
      • Ranch or Blue Cheese Dressing are excellent drizzled on top of this in place of the mayo/mustard sauce.
      • Some people like to add egg to the meat mixture to make it hold together better. You can experiment by adding three eggs and see which way your family prefers this recipe. If you would like a creamier casserole, you could also add ¼ cup heavy cream when you add the cream cheese.
      • Sausage or ground turkey can be used in place of the ground beef.

      Frequently Asked Questions

      Can you eat hamburger meat on keto?


      Absolutely! Ground beef is 100% keto-approved. You can feel free to use fattier beef (80/20) that most diets will tell you to avoid.

      I like to use grass-fed beef, but this is entirely up to personal preference.

      Is cream cheese ok on keto?


      Cream cheese is great for a keto diet because it adds fat more than anything else! With minimal carbs, not only is it a great way to add fat to your diet, but it also adds a rich creaminess that makes everything from casseroles to soups delicious.

      Can Keto Hamburger Casserole be made ahead of time?


      You can make this casserole up to two days ahead of time and keep it covered in the refrigerator. Leftovers will keep for about three to five days.

      Can this recipe be frozen?


      This recipe freezes great. Leave the cheese off of it if you are planning on freezing. Allow the casserole to cool completely and cover it tightly with heavy-duty foil.

      (I like to do a layer of plastic wrap and then foil for extra protection.) It will keep for about two months.

      Make sure you check out my Keto Cheeseburger Casserole Web Story.

      Making Instant Pot Keto Cheeseburger Casserole

      Photo of Cheeseburger casserole made in the Instant Pot.

      The Instant Pot makes this recipe a snap.

      You can scroll down to the recipe card for the full instructions.

      The most important thing to remember is not to stir when you add the remaining ingredients before cooking, as this could lead to burning.

      Photo of a keto quickstart guide with the description of the guide on the right.

      How to Make Keto Cheeseburger Casserole

      Overhead photo of ground beef browning in a skillet.

      Start by cooking the ground beef, onion, and garlic in a skillet until the ground beef starts to brown.

      Stir in the cream cheese and cook until the meat is brown and the cream cheese has melted.

      Overhead photo of a skillet of ground beef with pickles, ketchup, and mustard.

      Next, stir in your pickles, condiments, and seasonings.

      Overhead photo of a casserole dish with a cheese covered casserole in it.

      After that, transfer the mixture to a 9 x 9 baking dish and bake.

      Finally, when the casserole is done, drizzle with the sauce and serve with shredded lettuce, tomato, pickles, and bacon.

      Photo of keto cheeseburger casserole with a large wooden spoon in the casserole dish.


      MORE EASY LOW CARB CASSEROLES TO TRY:

      • It doesn't get any better than this Keto Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole! Creamy, cheesy, and flavor-packed, this is a recipe that you will turn to again and again.
      • Low Carb Buffalo Chicken Dip is my favorite go-to recipe for game day. It comes together in a flash and is perfect for when you have a crowd where not everyone is on a low-carb diet.
      • Green Bean Casserole doesn't have to be just for the holidays! This keto-friendly version is made with real food ingredients and is guaranteed to leave your tastebuds singing.
      Photo of a keto quickstart guide with the description of the guide on the right.
      If you like this recipe don't forget to leave a 5 star rating and let me know how it went in the below comments, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see all my delicious recipes.
      Square photo of keto cheeseburger casserole.
      Print Recipe
      5 from 8 votes

      Keto Cheeseburger Casserole

      This Easy Cheeseburger Casserole resembles cheeseburgers in both its taste and its ability to satisfy. It is the perfect keto-friendly alternative that you can enjoy without sacrificing a smidgen of flavor.
      Prep Time15 mins
      Cook Time30 mins
      Total Time45 mins
      Course: Main Course
      Cuisine: American
      Keyword: Casserole
      Servings: 8
      Calories: 524kcal
      Author: Wendy Polisi
      As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualified sales.

      Ingredients

      • 2 pounds ground beef
      • ½ cup diced onion
      • ½ teaspoon minced garlic
      • 6 ounces cream cheese cubed
      • â…“ cup diced dill pickles I use Bubbies
      • ¼ cup keto ketchup
      • 1 ½ tablespoons yellow mustard
      • 1 teaspoon sea salt
      • 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
      • 8 ounces cheddar cheese
      • Sauce:
      • 3 tablespoons mayonnaise sugar-free
      • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
      • 2 teaspoons pickle juice sugar-free
      • For topping: shredded lettuce tomato, pickles, bacon
      • â…“ cup beef broth Instant Pot Only.

      Instructions

      Oven

      • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
      • Heat a skillet to medium-high heat.
      • Add ground beef, onion, and garlic, and cook until the ground beef starts to brown.
      • Stir in cream cheese and continue to cook until the meat is browned and the cream cheese melts.
      • Stir in pickles, ketchup, mustard, salt, and pepper.
      • Transfer to a casserole dish and top with cheese.
      • Bake for 30 minutes.
      • Meanwhile, stir together mayonnaise, yellow mustard, and pickle juice.
      • Remove the casserole from the oven and drizzle with the sauce.
      • Top with desired toppings and serve.

      Instant Pot

      • Set your Instant Pot to saute, high. When the screen says "HOT" add the ground beef, onion, and garlic. Cook until the beef just starts to brown. Add â…“ cup beef broth and scrape up any browned bits.
      • Add the cream cheese, pickles, ketchup, mustard, salt, and pepper. DO NOT STIR.
      • Place the lid on your Instant Pot and set to manual high pressure for 1 minute. Allow to release naturally for 5 minutes and then do a quick release. Stir well.
      • Add the cheese and return the lid to the pot. Allow to sit until the cheese melts. Top with the sauce and serve.

      Notes

      Variations:

      • To make Keto Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole, add 8 ounces of cooked and crumbled bacon to the ground beef just before you transfer it to the casserole dish.
      • I like to use cheddar cheese here, but any cheese that you like works here.
      • If you would like a bit more spice, add ½ teaspoon chili powder and ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper.
      • Ranch or Blue Cheese Dressing is excellent drizzled on top of this in place of the mayo/mustard sauce.

      Nutrition

      Calories: 524kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 44g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Cholesterol: 136mg | Sodium: 862mg | Potassium: 383mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 581IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 252mg | Iron: 3mg

      More Keto Ground Beef Recipes to Try:

      • For a unique meal that is ridiculously delicious, you are going to love these fully loaded Burger Bowls.
      • Keto Butter Burgers are a delicious meal that never fails to satisfy. Make them once and you will be hooked!

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        « Keto Baked Brie - Low Carb and Gluten-Free
        Keto Chicken Lettuce Wraps »
        • 1533

        Reader Interactions

        Comments

        1. judith McCarthy

          January 01, 2020 at 8:24 pm

          I would love to make this dish. I have a variety of different size casserole dishes. You don't indicate the size casserole. Looking at the picture provided, are you using, a 9x9, 3-quart casserole? Size does affect amount of servings.

          Reply
          • Wendy Polisi

            January 04, 2020 at 5:23 pm

            It was an 8 x8

            Reply
        2. Lisa

          May 22, 2020 at 7:26 pm

          That looks great! Thanks!

          Reply
        3. Cyn Wise

          July 02, 2020 at 12:13 am

          5 stars
          Yummy! Just made this and my non-keto wife thoroughly approves!

          Reply
          • Wendy Polisi

            July 02, 2020 at 8:58 am

            So glad that you all enjoyed it.

            Reply
        4. Nicole

          September 27, 2020 at 1:02 am

          5 stars
          We loved it. Thanks.

          Reply
        5. Randy Huguenin

          December 01, 2020 at 11:43 pm

          I made this tonight and it was awesome. Thank you for sharing.

          Reply
          • Wendy Polisi

            December 02, 2020 at 12:48 pm

            So glad you liked it!

            Reply
        6. Karen M.

          July 14, 2021 at 7:54 pm

          5 stars
          This was so so good! I made it in the Instant Pot; and it came out perfectly! I didn't have an onion on hand but subbed out two tablespoons of minced onion. I tried it with the ranch dressing and lettuce, which was very good. I then tasted it right out of the pot without any topping, I liked that even better!

          Thank you so much for the recipe. It's going in my rotation for sure!

          Reply
        7. Sheila

          May 24, 2022 at 10:50 pm

          5 stars
          Always willing to try a recipe but this one was so good we’re having it tonight. This is now one of our regular favorites. Thanks!

          Reply
        8. Gen

          November 03, 2022 at 5:33 pm

          5 stars
          My boyfriend is notoriously anti-casserole (don’t know why!) but he LOVED this one. So delicious - thank you!

          Reply
        9. Cam

          November 04, 2022 at 12:17 am

          5 stars
          This will become our family's favorite!

          Reply
        10. Journa Liz Ramirez

          November 04, 2022 at 2:40 pm

          5 stars
          My family is a bi9g fan of cheeseburgers, and I'm glad I found this simple cheeseburger casserole recipe. It has all the flavors we love, so satisfying!

          Reply
        11. Allyssa

          November 04, 2022 at 2:45 pm

          5 stars
          Perfect for any gatherings! Quick and very easy to follow! Thanks a bunch for sharing this keto cheeseburger casserole recipe! Will have this again for sure! Highly recommended!

          Reply

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        Welcome

        I'm Wendy and I'm here to show you just how delicious a low carb, gluten free and keto diet can be! You are just as likely to find me obsessing over all things cheesy as you are getting excited by a full produce drawer. I'm a mom to three, obsessive planner and roller coasters are my happy place. Let's dig deeper →

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