4 Keto Casserole Recipes for a Quick Weeknight Dinner

Easy does it with all types of casseroles, but even more so with keto casseroles. When you’re on a diet, simplicity is key. The only way to stick to your meal plan is to find recipes that are both delicious and uncomplicated. Plus, being able to prep a weeknight dinner in advance can be a real game changer for those busy days. 

Read on to discover some tried and tested keto casserole recipes that are sure to win over your taste buds. From cheesy chicken concoctions to hearty beef bakes, these dishes are packed with flavor and yet still perfectly align with your dietary needs. To top it all off, they require minimal hands-on time – just assemble, bake, and enjoy. 

Here’s your ultimate guide to making keto-friendly casseroles a staple in your weekly meal rotation.

How To Make Keto Casserole Base?

A keto casserole base swaps carb-heavy ingredients like pasta, rice, or potatoes with low-carb alternatives like cauliflower rice, zucchini noodles, and shredded cabbage. These options are not only lower in carbs but also provide additional nutrients and fiber to your meal.

This swap requires you to change the cooking method as well – veggies don’t quite cook the same way as pasta or rice do.

With this in mind, instead of throwing everything in a pot and cooking, you might need to sauté or roast the vegetables before adding them to the casserole. This will ensure they are cooked thoroughly and add more depth of flavor to your dish.

Most importantly, pre-cooking your veggies prevents your casserole from becoming too watery. Vegetables tend to release water when cooked, so pre-cooking them helps remove excess moisture and prevents a soggy casserole.

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How To Make Your Own Keto Casserole Without a Recipe?

To make your own keto casserole, keep these three components in mind: a veggie base, a protein, and a creamy sauce.

We’ve covered the veggie portion in the previous section, and to add on we’ll say this – pay some attention to textures as well. 

Different types of veggies add different levels of crunch to your casserole, depending on how long you cook them. For example, zucchini will be softer than cauliflower, so combining the two requires a bit of finesse.

Moving on to proteins, the most popular options for keto casseroles include chicken, beef, and ground turkey. Pre-cooking your protein before adding it to the casserole is crucial as well. This will help ensure that it cooks through and avoids any potential food safety issues.

Leftover proteins from previous meals also work great in casseroles, so don’t hesitate to use up any extras and avoid food waste.

Finally, you’ll need a creamy sauce to bring all elements.

Sauce is a touchy subject on the keto diet, as most traditional sauces are high in carbs. Tomato sauce, even the homemade kind, can quickly derail your diet. 

To keep your casserole keto-friendly, opt for cream or cheese-based sauces instead. You can also use coconut milk or almond milk as a dairy-free option.

Just make sure to check the ingredients and nutritional information before incorporating any store-bought sauces into your dish.

Bonus – toppings.

Casserole toppings add an extra layer of flavor and texture to your dish. Breadcrumbs are a popular choice, but obviously not keto-friendly. 

Alternatively, you can use crushed pork rinds or almond flour as a low-carb substitute. Shredded cheese is also an excellent option for topping your casserole before baking.

What Are The Most Popular Keto Casserole Recipes?

The most popular keto casserole recipes are those that have ground beef, chicken, or turkey as the protein base. Veggie-loaded and cheese-heavy, these casseroles are hearty, satisfying, and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. 

Here are four keto casserole recipes to add to your meal rotation:

Keto Casserole With Ground Beef (1)

Your burger cravings will be a thing of the past when you make this keto casserole beef baked with cheese, heavy cream and cauliflower. Layer after layer of yummy goodness, this is a dish you will want to add to your meal prep list.

Ingredients

Base Layer

• 1 tbsp Avocado oil
• 1 large head Cauliflower
• ½ tsp Sea salt
• 1 cup Cheddar cheese (shredded)
• ¼ cup Heavy cream

Beef Layer

• 2 lb Ground beef
• 2 tsp Sea salt
• ½ tsp Black pepper

Toppings

• ½ cup Sugar-free ketchup (or regular ketchup if not sugar-free)
• 2 tbsp Mustard (or more if you love mustard!)
• 1 cup Cheddar cheese (shredded)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
2. Heat the avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
3. Chop the cauliflower into small florets and add them to the skillet.
4. Sauté the cauliflower florets until they are tender, seasoning with the sea salt to taste.
5. Remove the cauliflower from heat. Combine it with cheddar cheese and heavy cream, stirring until well combined.
6. Spread this cauliflower mixture evenly in a baking dish to create your base layer.
7. In the same skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Season it with sea salt and black pepper.
8. Drain any excess fat from the beef, then spread the beef evenly over the cauliflower base layer in the baking dish.
9. In a small bowl, combine the sugar-free ketchup and mustard. Mix until well blended.
10. Spread this ketchup and mustard mixture evenly over the ground beef layer.
11. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole.
12. Bake the casserole in your preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and starting to brown. Allow it to cool for a few minutes before serving.

Servings: 9

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 369 | Total Carbs: 2.8g | Net Carbs: 2.6g | Protein: 24.9g | Fat: 27.7g | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 1.2g

Read more: 4 Keto Quiche Recipes for a Savory Breakfast

Keto Casserole with Cream Cheese (2)

This easy keto casserole is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even dinner. It’s loaded with bacon, rotisserie chicken and an assortment of cheeses, all baked in a creamy sauce that will keep you coming back for more.

Feeling adventurous? You can find some inspiration for what else to throw into your casserole in our article about keto breakfast casseroles.

Ingredients

• 1 pound bacon
• 8 ounce package cream cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• ⅓ cup avocado mayonnaise
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ teaspoon hot sauce
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• ½ teaspoon white pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• 1 store bought cooked rotisserie chicken, meat removed and chopped into bite sized pieces
• 1 ½ cups red onion, diced
• 8 ounces baby bella mushrooms, sliced
• 1 tablespoon fresh garlic, minced
• 8 ounces baby spinach
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
2. Start off by cooking your bacon over medium heat until crispy. Once done, transfer to a paper towel to drain and cool.
3. While your bacon is cooking, in a large bowl, combine cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, cheddar cheese, avocado mayonnaise, and heavy cream.
4. Add the hot sauce, dry mustard, white pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika to the bowl, stirring to combine.
5. Crumble the cooled bacon, then add it to the mixture along with the chopped rotisserie chicken.
6. In a skillet over medium heat, sauté red onion, mushrooms, and minced garlic until the onions are translucent and the mushrooms are tender.
7. Add the baby spinach to the skillet, cooking just until wilted.
8. Incorporate the sautéed vegetables into the cream cheese and chicken mixture, stirring until well combined.
9. Grease a casserole dish, then spread the mixture evenly into the dish.
10. Sprinkle the top of the casserole with shredded mozzarella cheese.
11. Place the dish in your preheated oven, baking for about 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
12. If desired, broil the casserole for an additional 2-3 minutes at the end of cooking time to get the cheese extra golden and crispy.
13. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.

Servings: 10

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 541 | Total Carbohydrate 7.7g | Protein 29.6g | Total Fat 43.9g | Saturated Fat 20.4g | Trans Fat 0.5g | Polyunsaturated Fat 4.9g | Monounsaturated Fat 14.7g | Cholesterol 129.3mg | Dietary Fiber 1.5g | Sugars 3.8g | Sodium 753.8mg 

Keto Casserole Vegetarian (3)

This cheesy black cauliflower rice bake is right at the top of our list of lazy keto casseroles. It’s full of flavor, loaded with protein and nutrients, and makes for a quick and easy weeknight meal. At less than 10 g of net carbs per serving, it’s also a great option for those following a strict keto diet.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
• 3 cups Cauliflower Rice raw or frozen
• ½ teaspoons Garlic Powder
• ½ teaspoon Salt
• ½ teaspoon White Pepper ground
• 1 cup Keto Marinara Sauce
• ⅓ cup Heavy Cream
• ½ cup Cherry Tomatoes halved
• ¼ cup Oregano chopped
• 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese shredded
• ½ cup Cheddar Cheese shredded

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
3. Add the cauliflower rice to the skillet, seasoning with the garlic powder, salt, and white pepper. Stir frequently until the cauliflower is tender.
4. Pour in the keto marinara sauce and heavy cream, stirring the mixture until the ingredients are well combined.
5. Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet and stir gently, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
6. Sprinkle in the chopped oregano, stirring once more to incorporate the herb into the casserole mix.
7. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
8. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole.
9. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven, baking for about 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
10. Allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes before serving.

Servings: 4

Nutrition: Serving size : 1cup | Calories: 342kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 655mg | Potassium: 605mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 764IU | Vitamin C: 62mg | Calcium: 330mg | Iron: 2mg

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Keto Casserole Chicken (4)

Beyond our compilation of keto chicken casserole recipes, we have this chicken-casserole recipes that’s inspired by the flavors of the Mediterranean. Chicken breast and zucchini come together to make a tasty and healthy dish that you’ll want to eat again and again.

Ingredients

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced horizontally to make 4 cutlets
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 zucchini, thinly sliced
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• ½ onion, chopped
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
2. Rub both sides of the chicken breasts with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, garlic powder, and oregano. Arrange them in a single layer in a large baking dish.
3. Arrange the thinly sliced zucchini around the chicken in the baking dish.
4. Evenly distribute the chopped tomatoes and onions over the chicken and zucchini.
5. Drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the vegetables.
6. Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese over the chicken, zucchini, tomatoes, and onions.
7. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes.
8. Remove the foil and continue to bake for another 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown, and the chicken is cooked through.
9. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the cooked casserole before serving for a touch of freshness and color.

Servings: 4

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 503.58 cal | Carbs: 13.11 g | Protein: 40.07 g | Fat: 32.5 g | Saturated Fat: 9.9 g | Polyunsat Fat: 4.45 g | Monounsat Fat: 15.86 g | Fiber: 2.91 g | Sugar: 2.23 g | Cholesterol: 117.55 mg | Sodium: 448.56 mg | Potassium: 608.93 mg

Read more: The Ultimate Keto Pancake Recipe Collection From All Over The Web

FAQs

• How Many Carbs Are In a Keto Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole?

A keto chicken bacon ranch casserole can have anywhere from 3-5 net carbs per serving, depending on the ingredients used. 

Most of the carbs in such a recipe come from the vegetables and seasonings used, so it’s important to pay attention to portions and choose low-carb options when possible.

• What Is a Good Keto Cauliflower Casserole To Serve With Ham?

A delicious and easy keto cauliflower casserole to serve with ham is one loaded with cheese and bacon. You can also add in some sautéed mushrooms for extra flavor. 

Another option is to make a cauliflower gratin with layers of roasted cauliflower, heavy cream, and cheese, baked until bubbly. Either way, you’ll have a tasty side dish that complements the ham perfectly.

Check out this keto chicken fried rice recipe for another great option.

The Bottom Line

The possibilities are endless when it comes to keto casseroles. Some other delicious ingredients you can add include zucchini, bell peppers, jalapeños, olives, and different types of cheese such as feta or goat cheese. You can also experiment with different proteins like ground beef, turkey, or seafood.