Low Carb Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole (Printable)
All the classic bacon cheeseburger flavors baked into a hearty low-carb casserole the whole family will enjoy.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 lb ground beef (85% lean recommended)
02 - 6 slices bacon, chopped
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 small onion, finely diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 cup diced tomatoes (fresh or drained canned)
06 - 1 cup chopped dill pickles
→ Dairy
07 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
08 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
09 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
→ Condiments & Spices
10 - 2 tbsp sugar-free ketchup
11 - 1 tbsp yellow mustard
12 - 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
13 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
14 - 1/2 tsp salt
15 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ Optional Toppings
16 - Sliced green onions
17 - Extra pickles
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook chopped bacon until crisp. Remove bacon with slotted spoon and set aside on paper towels, leaving 1-2 tablespoons bacon drippings in the pan.
03 - Add ground beef to the skillet with reserved bacon fat. Cook over medium-high heat, breaking up meat with a spatula, until browned throughout. Drain excess fat if desired.
04 - Add diced onion and minced garlic to the beef. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened and fragrant.
05 - Stir in diced tomatoes, chopped pickles, sugar-free ketchup, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Remove from heat.
06 - In a medium bowl, whisk softened cream cheese and heavy cream together until completely smooth and no lumps remain.
07 - Spread beef mixture evenly in prepared baking dish. Pour cream cheese mixture over top and use a spatula to gently swirl it into the beef layer, creating a marbled effect.
08 - Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the casserole. Top with cooked bacon pieces.
09 - Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and beginning to turn golden brown on edges.
10 - Let casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set. Garnish with sliced green onions or extra pickles if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Everything you adore about bacon cheeseburgers happens in one pan with way less mess
- The cream cheese swirl creates this incredible sauce that ties all the flavors together
02 -
- Draining some beef fat prevents the casserole from becoming too greasy
- Room temperature cream cheese mixes much smoother than cold
03 -
- Letting the meat mixture cool slightly before adding the cream sauce prevents curdling
- Room temperature ingredients blend together more smoothly