Keto Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole

If you miss cheeseburgers on your keto diet, this casserole is going to make your day. It has all the classic flavors – beef, bacon, cheese, pickles, and that familiar ketchup-mustard combo.

I love casseroles because they’re simple. You prep everything, toss it in a baking dish, and let the oven do the work. This one follows that same easy approach.

What makes it low carb and keto friendly is that there’s no bread, no pasta, and no hidden sugars. The sauce uses sugar-free ketchup, and the creamy layer is made with cream cheese, heavy cream, and eggs.

It’s filling, it’s cheesy, and it tastes like something you’d order at a burger joint. Minus the bun, of course.

One dish, about 45 minutes, and you’ve got dinner for the whole family. Here’s how I make it.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Tastes Like a Real Cheeseburger – Every bite delivers that classic bacon cheeseburger flavor you love without the bun or the carbs.

Incredibly Filling – Packed with ground beef and bacon and cheese so one serving keeps you full and satisfied for hours.

Super Simple to Make – Just brown the meat and mix a few ingredients and bake it so anyone can pull this off on a busy weeknight.

The Texture Is Amazing – You get crispy bacon and melted cheddar on top with a rich creamy layer underneath that is absolutely perfect.

Recipe Ingredients

• 2 lb Ground Beef
• 8 slices Bacon, chopped
• 1 small Yellow Onion, diced
• 3 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
• 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
• 1/3 cup Sugar-Free Ketchup
• 2 tbsp Yellow Mustard
• 4 oz Cream Cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup Heavy Cream
• 4 large Eggs
• 2 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• 1/4 cup Chopped Dill Pickles

How To Make

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13 baking dish.

Step 2

Cook the chopped bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove and set aside, leaving 2 tablespoons of drippings in the pan.

Step 3

Add the onion to the skillet and cook for 3 minutes. Stir in the ground beef and garlic, breaking up the meat, and cook until browned. Drain excess grease.

Step 4

Season the beef with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Stir in the sugar-free ketchup and mustard. Transfer to the baking dish.

Step 5

In a bowl, whisk the cream cheese, heavy cream, and eggs until smooth. Pour evenly over the beef.

Step 6

Top with shredded cheddar, the crispy bacon, and chopped pickles.

Step 7

Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and the cheese is golden. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Tips

Cook the Bacon First for a Reason

Start with the bacon in a cold skillet, not a preheated one. Putting bacon into a cold pan lets the fat render out slowly, which gives you crispier bacon and more flavorful drippings to cook the onion and beef in.

Chop the bacon before cooking it, not after. Smaller pieces crisp up faster and more evenly, and they distribute way better as a topping on the casserole.

When you remove the bacon, put it on a paper towel-lined plate. It’ll stay crispy while you work on the rest. If it sits in its own grease, it gets soft and chewy.

Drain the Beef Well

After browning the ground beef, drain off as much grease as you can. If you skip this or do a lazy job of it, the casserole will have a greasy, oily layer sitting on top after baking. It won’t look or taste right.

I tilt the skillet to one side and use a spoon to scoop out the excess fat. You can also transfer the beef to a plate lined with paper towels for a minute to absorb more grease before putting it in the baking dish.

You want flavorful beef, not a pool of oil under your cheese layer.

Get the Cream Cheese Actually Soft

The cream cheese needs to be truly softened before you whisk it with the eggs and heavy cream. If it’s still cold and firm, you’ll end up with lumps in the egg mixture that won’t break down no matter how hard you whisk.

Leave it on the counter for at least 30 minutes before you start cooking, or microwave it in 10-second bursts until it’s soft enough to easily stir with a fork. You want a completely smooth custard-like mixture with no chunks.

More Recipes

• Keto Big Mac Meatballs
• Keto Loaded Cheeseburger Meatballs
• Keto Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Meatballs
• Keto Hamburger Buns
• Keto Loaded Cauliflower Tots

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this casserole ahead of time and reheat it?

Yes, this casserole works great as a make-ahead meal. You can assemble the whole thing, cover it tightly, and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking.

If you’re baking it straight from the fridge, add about 5-10 extra minutes to the bake time since it will be cold. Leftovers also reheat nicely in the oven at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes or in the microwave for a quick option.