Keto Cheeseburger Casserole

You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this keto cheeseburger casserole. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

• Olive oil: My favorite oil to cook with! It's so flavorful. Other options include avocado oil and ghee.
• Extra-lean ground beef: I prefer to use leaner beef here because I end up draining the rendered fat anyway.
• Onion and garlic. Sometimes when I'm feeling extra lazy I sub onion and garlic powders... but it's not the same. So I try not to be lazy!
• Kosher salt and black pepper: If using fine salt instead of kosher salt, reduce the amount you use by half.
• Mayonnaise: I prefer mayonnaise made with avocado oil.
• Unsweetened ketchup: I prefer it to sugary regular ketchup.
• Mustard: I usually like Dijon mustard. It's creamier and less vinegary than yellow mustard. But in this particular recipe, yellow mustard works too.
• Shredded cheddar: I like to use sharp or even extra-sharp cheddar. It really enhances the flavor of this dish.

The best thing about this recipe is how simple it is to make. But if you'd like to experiment a little, here are a few ideas for you:

• Add crumbled cooked bacon. I really like the flavor it adds.
• You can make this recipe with ground chicken thighs or ground turkey thighs. It won't be the same, obviously, but it's still good. I do recommend using ground thighs and not ground breast, which is very lean.
• Add your favorite spices, even if they're not classic cheeseburger seasonings. Smoked paprika and chili powder are very good in this recipe.
• Mix some sliced pickled jalapenos into the beef mixture before baking it.

The detailed instructions for making this cheeseburger casserole are included in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of the steps:

• You start by cooking ground beef and onion in olive oil. (Photo 1).
• Next, add seasonings: garlic, salt, and black pepper. (Photo 2).
• Off heat, you stir in condiments: mayo, ketchup, mustard, and shredded cheese. (Photos 3-4).
• The last step is to transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish and sprinkle it with more cheese. Bake for about 15 minutes at 400°F, then serve! (Photos 5-6).

If you'd like to turn this casserole into a complete meal, you can add 1-2 cups of uncooked riced cauliflower to the meat and onion and cook everything together.

You'll need to increase the olive oil a little if you do - start with one more tablespoon and see if you need to add more.