Cheesy Keto Taco Casserole

Name: Cheesy Keto Taco Casserole
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons olive oil; 1 medium white onion, chopped; 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1 pound ground beef (500 g); 3 tablespoons taco seasoning; 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided; 1/2 cup cream cheese; 1/4 cup chili sauce (or taco sauce)

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This delicious keto taco casserole recipe is perfect for a hearty, satisfying meal that the whole family will love! Made with ground beef, cheese, and a flavorful spice blend, this casserole is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a fun weekend meal. And best of all, since you are skipping the carbs in the tortillas, it's low carb and keto-friendly!

taco cassreole in baking dish sitting on top of wood cutting board

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Keto Taco Casserole
What Goes with Taco Casserole?
Ingredients
Kitchen Tools You May Need
How to Make a Keto Taco Casserole
Frequently Asked Questions
More Mexican-Inspired Casseroles
Cheesy Keto Taco Casserole

Keto Taco Casserole

This keto taco casserole is perfect for anyone on the keto diet! It’s easy to make and tastes amazing. You won’t even miss the carbs. It’s packed with flavor and will leave you feeling satisfied. You won’t believe how good this casserole tastes. It’s like you’re eating tacos right in your own home. And it only takes 30 minutes to make from start to finish!

If you want more keto-friendly inspiration, check out the recipe for this keto Mexican casserole or the kid-friendly keto cheeseburger casserole.

casserole dish of keto taco casserole topped with avocado slices on top of cutting board

What Goes with Taco Casserole?

There are so many things you can serve with keto Mexican casserole. I love to top this keto taco casserole with some of the same things I would normally load up a taco or nachos with. Below are some popular options that fit the low-carbohydrate diet.

Additional shredded cheese
Sliced avocado or guacamole
Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
Shredded lettuce, diced tomato, and chopped onions
Salsa or hot sauce

And if you want to serve it with something for dipping, you can always look for keto-friendly chips, fresh vegetable pieces, or a low-carb tortilla. I also like to make a taco bowl using a base of cauliflower rice with the casserole on top and then the fixings on top of that.

square baking dish of keto taco casserole sitting on top of wood cutting board

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium white onion
½ green bell pepper
2 garlic cloves
1 pound ground beef (500 g)
3 tablespoons taco seasoning
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup cream cheese
¼ cup chili sauce (or taco sauce)

Toppings: as listed above or your favorite keto taco toppings such as sour cream, cheese, and guacamole.

raw ground beef in large bowl next to bowls of cheese and vegetables on gray table

Kitchen Tools You May Need

How to Make a Keto Taco Casserole

Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C and spray a 10" baking dish with non-stick spray on the bottom and sides then set it aside.

Then, in a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add in the onions and bell pepper, then saute, stirring regularly for 5 to 7 minutes until they are softened and beginning to brown.

onion and pepper in black skillet on hot plate

Add in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.

Now, add the ground beef to the skillet, and cook, breaking it up as it cooks, for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the meat is no longer pink. If needed, drain excess grease from the meat at this point.

Then, add in the taco seasoning and stir the meat well.

seasoned ground beef cooked in black skillet

In a bowl (or the same skillet if large enough), combine the cooked ground beef and vegetables with ½ cup of the shredded cheese, the chili sauce, and the cream cheese. Stir together until combined.

Pour this into the baking dish, and spread over it evenly. Then, top with the remaining 1 ½ cups of shredded cheese.

keto taco casserole in rectangular baking dish topped with white cheese before baking

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until heated through and the cheese on top is melted, bubbling, and beginning to brown.

black trim baking dish with keto taco casserole sitting on cutting board by white bowl of avocado slices

Frequently Asked Questions

What Ground Meats Can I Use in a Keto Casserole?

I am using ground beef to make keto taco casserole. It is my go-to meat for this recipe. It has the right flavors, and the perfect amount of fat and it is usually inexpensive.

While ground beef is the most common meat used in dishes like this, you could also use ground chicken, turkey, or pork. I have even made this with ground lamb and it was delicious! If you’re feeling adventurous, you could even mix two different types of ground meat. Just be sure to cook the meat until it’s browned and no longer pink no matter which ground meat you are using.

What Cheese Is Best For a Keto Casserole?

I always use cheddar cheese in my taco casseroles. I find that it has the best flavor and it melts perfectly. You could also use Monterey Jack, Colby Jack or even a Mexican blend of cheese.

If you’re not a fan of cheddar cheese, you could use any type of cheese that you like. Just be aware that some cheeses don’t melt as well as others. You may need to add a little bit more time in the oven if you are using a cheese that doesn’t melt well.

If you are closely watching your carbohydrate intake, then I also recommend that you hand-grate your cheese rather than buying the pre-shredded options usually found in the grocery store as they can often have additives.

How Can I Add More Spice to a Keto Taco Casserole?

While taco seasoning and chili sauce both have their own level of spice, if you are someone who likes the heat you may want to add to that.

The easiest way to do this is to choose the hotter chili sauce options. You can also add just a bit extra for more flavor. Another option is to add a drained can of diced green chiles or 1 diced jalapeno.

For those with a really adventurous palate, you can mix and match different chiles and add them on top as toppings or just a bit mixed into the recipe before baking.

More Mexican-Inspired Casseroles

Admittedly, in our house, Mexican-inspired meals are the most popular. They are often simple using ingredients that are affordable but also loaded with flavor. If you like this flavor profile, then you should check out the recipes linked below. Make sure that you bookmark them, print out the recipes, or pin them to a Pinterest board to make soon.

Yield: 6