Low-Carb Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole

Low-carb bacon cheeseburger casserole with cheese and bacon

I love meals that feel like a hug. This one Low-Carb Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole, does that with little fuss and a lot of flavor.
It cooks up fast. It fills the kitchen with that browned beef and melting cheese smell. People loosen their shoulders when it comes out of the oven.

If you like plain, honest food, you’ll get this. It sits on the table and asks for second helpings. And yes, it works for a quiet night in or for feeding a small crowd. I sometimes pair it with a simple low-carb chicken casserole when I want extra comfort on the side.

Why This Dish Feels Like Home

This casserole hits the same notes as a cheeseburger salty bacon, tangy pickles, melty cheese without the bun. It’s easy to scoop onto a plate. It keeps for a few days in the fridge. You can eat it straight from the pan. No ceremony required.

On long days, I make enough so I can reheat a piece at lunch the next day and still feel taken care of. That steady, no-fuss food matters. It’s the kind of thing you bring to someone who’s had a rough week. They want warm, not fancy. If you’re building a low-carb meal plan, this sits nicely beside a weeknight winner for variety.

How It Comes Together in the Kitchen

Short list of moves. Cook bacon. Brown beef with onion and garlic. Mix in cream cheese so it gets rich and saucy. Whisk eggs and cream. Pour over. Top with cheese. Bake. Done.

You don’t need special skills. Just pay attention when the beef browns. Burned garlic is a small disaster here. Give yourself time to crumble the bacon while the oven warms. If you like, serve it with roasted veg I’ll often make roasted bacon and sprouts for the table. Little things lift it.

What You’ll Need To Make {name}

  • 1 lb 450 g ground beef
  • 6 slices bacon (cooked and crumbled)
  • 1 small onion (finely chopped)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup 240 ml heavy cream
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
  • 2 tbsp cream cheese (softened)
  • 2 tbsp sugar-free ketchup (optional)
  • 1 tsp yellow mustard
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp chopped pickles (optional topping)
  • Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

I keep the pantry bits simple. Mustard and ketchup give that classic burger taste. The cream cheese makes the beef feel velvety. If you want a fresh crunch on the side, toss a quick bacon salad I often reach for a bacon-forward salad.

Steady Steps To Make the Recipe {name}

  1. Cook the Bacon: In a skillet, cook bacon until crispy. Remove, crumble, and set aside.
  2. Brown the Beef: Drain most of the bacon grease, leaving about 1 tbsp. Add ground beef, onion, and garlic. Cook until beef is browned and onion is soft. Stir in smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  3. Mix in Cream Cheese: Lower heat, stir in softened cream cheese until melted into the beef mixture. Add crumbled bacon back in. Spread this mixture evenly into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
  4. Prepare Egg Mixture: In a bowl, whisk together eggs, heavy cream, mustard, and ketchup (if using). Stir in half the cheddar and half the mozzarella.
  5. Assemble: Pour egg mixture over the beef layer in the baking dish. Top with remaining cheeses.
  6. Bake: Place in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 25–30 minutes, or until the center is set and the top is golden.
  7. Serve: Let cool slightly before slicing. Garnish with pickles or parsley if desired.

If you want a green side, this goes well with a simple green bean bake, think of something like classic green bean casserole when people ask for veggies.

How to Serve It at the Table

Cut into squares. Serve with pickles on top if you like that bright snap. A plain side salad or quick steamed greens keeps the plate balanced. No need for forks with flair. A spoon works for melty bits.

For a family meal, let everyone top their slice with a little extra ketchup or mustard. Kids tend to love the cheesy parts. Adults often go for the pickles.

Keeping Leftovers for Later

Cool to room temperature. Cover tightly and keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10–15 minutes, or microwave in 30-second bursts until warm. If it feels a bit dry, splash a tablespoon of cream over the slice before reheating. It brings the moisture back.

Freezer note: you can freeze portions in airtight containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Little Comfort-Building Tips {name}

  • Don’t skip the cream cheese. It’s the secret to texture.
  • If your bacon renders a lot of grease, leave only a tablespoon in the pan. Too much oil makes the casserole greasy.
  • Use freshly grated cheese if you can. It melts better.
  • Let it rest a few minutes after baking. It slices cleaner that way. I learned this the hard way.

Cozy Variations You Can Try

  • Add a handful of chopped bell pepper with the onion for color and sweetness.
  • Swap half the mozzarella for pepper jack if you like a little heat.
  • Stir in a tablespoon of chopped dill pickle to the egg mix for extra tang. Sounds odd, but it works.

Make-Ahead and Freezer Notes

Make the beef layer a day ahead. Keep it covered in the fridge. Assemble and bake when you’re ready. Or assemble fully and freeze unbaked. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then bake as directed. It’s handy for meal prep. Most days I make extra so I can just grab a piece for lunch.

Questions People Often Ask


  • Can I use turkey instead of beef?
    Yes. Ground turkey works. Brown it the same way, but it cooks a touch faster. Flavor will be milder, so season a bit more


  • Is the sugar-free ketchup necessary?
    No. It’s optional. Use regular ketchup if you don’t need low-carb, or skip it entirely for a purer cheeseburger taste.


  • Can I make this in a smaller pan?
    Yes, use roughly the same depth pan. A smaller pan will make the casserole a bit thicker and may need a few extra minutes in the oven.


  • How can I make it less rich?
    Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and reduce the cream cheese to 1 tablespoon. It changes the texture but keeps the flavor.


  • My casserole is watery after baking. Why?
    You probably had too much liquid, either from excess bacon grease or too-high a proportion of dairy. Drain the beef well and don’t over-pour the egg mixture. Let it rest; sometimes the juices settle.

A Warm Closing Note

If you need a meal that comforts without a lot of fuss, this casserole does the job. It’s honest food. It remembers single nights in and crowded tables alike. I always make a little extra. It’s nice to have.

If you want to see a similar version and compare notes, I sometimes check this Low-Carb Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe – Allrecipes for ideas and tweaks.

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Low-Carb Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole


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  • Author: Oliver
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Description

A comforting low-carb casserole that combines all the flavors of a cheeseburger in a hearty, easy-to-make dish without the bun.


Ingredients

Main ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef (for a savory base)
  • 6 slices bacon (cooked and crumbled) (adds smoky flavor)
  • 1 small onion (finely chopped) (for sweetness)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced) (adds depth of flavor)
  • 4 large eggs (to bind the casserole)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (to create a creamy texture)
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (divided) (for topping and mixing)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (divided) (for topping and mixing)
  • 2 tbsp cream cheese (softened) (for richness)
  • 2 tbsp sugar-free ketchup (optional) (adds sweetness and tang)
  • 1 tsp yellow mustard (for classic burger flavor)
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika (adds a smoky element)
  • ½ tsp garlic powder (for extra flavor)
  • ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
  • ¼ tsp black pepper (to taste)
  • 2 tbsp chopped pickles (optional topping) (for garnish)
  • Fresh parsley for garnish (optional) (adds color)


Instructions

Cooking the Bacon

  1. In a skillet, cook bacon until crispy. Remove, crumble, and set aside.

Browning the Beef

  1. Drain most of the bacon grease, leaving about 1 tbsp. Add ground beef, onion, and garlic. Cook until beef is browned and onion is soft.
  2. Stir in smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

Mixing in Cream Cheese

  1. Lower heat, stir in softened cream cheese until melted into the beef mixture.
  2. Add crumbled bacon back in. Spread this mixture evenly into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.

Preparing the Egg Mixture

  1. In a bowl, whisk together eggs, heavy cream, mustard, and ketchup (if using). Stir in half the cheddar and half the mozzarella.

Assembling the Casserole

  1. Pour egg mixture over the beef layer in the baking dish. Top with remaining cheeses.

Baking the Casserole

  1. Place in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 25–30 minutes, or until the center is set and the top is golden.

Serving

  1. Let cool slightly before slicing. Garnish with pickles or parsley if desired.

Notes

Let it rest a few minutes after baking for cleaner slicing. Store leftovers tightly covered in the fridge for up to 4 days.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: dinner, Main Course
  • Cuisine: American

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