Keto Cheeseburger Casserole

This keto cheeseburger casserole is an easy, one-pot dinner that takes seconds to prepare! Made with real low carb macaroni and full of gooey cheese, it’s a healthy, family favorite dish!

If you are the kind of person who prepares dinner at the last minute, one-pot casseroles are always a winner.

Casseroles are always my fallback dish, and there are tons of options out there. Some of our favorites include a chicken casserole, beef stroganoff, and this hamburger casserole.

Why this recipe works

• Simple ingredients. While this dish looks incredibly fancy, it actually uses simple and easy ingredients that you can find at any basic grocery store.
• Baked in one dish. This is a very hands-off dish where the oven takes care of all the hard work.
• Kid approved. Which kid (or adult!) doesn’t love a good hamburger, cheeseburger, or lots of cheese?

As the name suggests, this dish comprises traditional cheeseburger or hamburger ingredients, but swaps out the buns for pasta. It’s cozy, comforting, and incredibly satisfying. Full of cheese, ground beef, and plenty of bacon, you won’t believe it is actually healthy.

Ingredients needed

The secret to the perfect cheeseburger casserole is to use keto macaroni in it. Similar to my pasta salad and mac and cheese, I used store bought low carb macaroni noodles. They look and taste like real pasta, minus the carbs!

• Low carb macaroni– Use your favorite low carb macaroni. I used the low carb bread company macaroni, but you can make your own.
• Olive oil– Any oil will work.
• Onion– Finely chopped onions are a must for a good burger.
• Bacon– Thick cut bacon, finely chopped. Bacon takes any cheeseburger or hamburger to another level.
• Ground beef– Try to use lean ground beef, as it cuts down on the added fat and also does not add excess liquid. 
• Tomato sauce– Also known as tomato passata. 
• Worcestershire sauce– A pinch adds an extra layer of flavor. 
• Cheddar and mozzarella cheese– A combination of both cheeses gives the casserole that stretchy cheesy texture, while adding plenty of flavor. 
• Cheeseburger toppings– Optional, but you can top the casserole with some chopped pickles, mustard, keto ketchup, or bbq sauce. 

How to make a keto cheeseburger casserole

Start by cooking the macaroni as per the package instructions. Set that aside and work on the cheeseburger filling. In a non-stick pan, add the oil and place it over medium heat. Once hot, add the onion and garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes, until fragrant. Add the bacon, then the ground beef, and cook them all together until the beef is no longer pink.

Next, add the tomato sauce and Worcestershire sauce, and let everything simmer for a few minutes.

Add the cooked pasta and half of each cheese and stir until combined. 

Now, transfer everything into a greased baking dish. Top with the remaining cheeses and bake the casserole for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbling.

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it sit for five minutes. Add the toppings and serve immediately. 

Tips to make the best recipe

• Prepare this dish up to 4 days in advance. Simply keep the dish completely covered in the refrigerator, then bring it to room temperature before cooking. 
• Finely grate the cheese instead of using the pre-shredded kind. It not only adds better flavor, but it also gives the casserole a much better texture. 
• If you find the mixture to be a little too thick, you can add 1-2 tablespoon of the pasta water to it to thin it out.  
• For a keto hamburger casserole, omit the cheese and add extra sauces.

Ingredient swaps and substitutions

The beauty of this casserole recipe is just how easy it is to customize with whatever ingredients you have on hand. Here are some ideas:

• Meat– Instead of ground beef, you can use ground turkey, ground chicken, or even vegetarian ground beef substitute. 
• Cheese– Add more flavorful cheeses, like parmesan, Red Leicester, or pepper Jack. 
• Vegetables– Amp up the pasta filling by adding sliced mushrooms, zucchini, eggplant, or even spinach. 
• Spices– Add a spicy or smoky hit, by adding some red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, or even taco seasoning. 
• Macaroni– Use homemade keto pasta, zucchini noodles, or shirataki noodles.

Storage instructions

• To store: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator, covered, for up to one week. 
• To freeze: Place portions of the casserole in an airtight container and store it in the freezer for up to 6 months. 
• Reheating: Microwave portions in 30-second spurts until warm. You can also preheat it in the oven. 

More keto casserole recipes to try

• Taco casserole
• Green bean casserole
• Pizza casserole
• Breakfast casserole
• Broccoli cheese casserole
• French onion chicken casserole

Frequently Asked Questions