Easy & Crowd-Pleasing Keto Hamburger Casserole (Veggie-Loaded & Cheesy!)
Gather your family around the table for this Easy & Crowd-Pleasing Keto Hamburger Casserole! This delightful dish combines savory ground beef with tender green beans, colorful bell peppers, and fresh onion, all simmered in a rich marinara sauce and topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan. It’s a comforting, low-carb, high-protein, and naturally gluten-free meal that’s sure to be a hit with everyone. This recipe is a delightful addition to your health journey!
Yields: 6-8 servings Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 30-40 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds ground beef (80/20 or 85/15 recommended)
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and snapped into 1-inch pieces
- 1 medium yellow bell pepper, chopped
- 1 medium orange bell pepper, chopped
- 1-2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce (KETO NOTE: Choose a brand with no added sugar, e.g., Rao’s)
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- ¼ – ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- Cooking spray or a light greasing (for casserole dish)
Equipment:
- Large skillet
- Spatula or wooden spoon
- 9×13 inch casserole dish
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven & Brown Beef: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula.
- Once fully cooked and browned, drain off any excess grease thoroughly.
- Transfer the browned ground beef to a 9×13 inch casserole dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
- Add Vegetables & Season: To the casserole dish with the ground beef, add the chopped onion, chopped yellow bell pepper, chopped orange bell pepper, and the trimmed fresh green beans.
- Sprinkle the mixture evenly with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to taste. Stir everything together gently to combine.
- Layer Sauce & Cheese: Pour the marinara sauce evenly over the ground beef and vegetable mixture in the casserole dish, ensuring it covers everything.
- Top the entire casserole generously with 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender-crisp, the casserole is hot and bubbly, and the mozzarella cheese is melted and lightly golden.
- Finish & Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven. If desired, sprinkle with the remaining shredded mozzarella (for a fresher melt).
- Immediately top with a generous amount of shredded Parmesan cheese.
- Let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy this easy and delicious hamburger casserole!
Tips for Success:
- Keto Marinara: Always double-check the label on your marinara sauce to ensure there’s no added sugar. Brands like Rao’s are generally good keto-friendly options.
- Vegetable Tenderness: If you prefer very tender vegetables, you can lightly sauté the onions, peppers, and green beans in the skillet after browning the beef (before adding to the casserole dish) for 5-7 minutes.
- Cheese Layer: The two-stage cheese application allows for a base layer to melt into the casserole and a top layer for fresh, bubbly appeal.
- Customization: Feel free to add other keto-friendly vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, or diced zucchini. A pinch of red pepper flakes can add a little heat.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It reheats well.
Recipe Analysis & Dietary Classification:
This Easy Keto Hamburger Casserole is a delightful addition to your health journey!
- High Protein: Yes, from the ground beef and cheeses.
- Low-Carb: Yes, by using non-starchy vegetables and a sugar-free marinara sauce.
- Keto: Yes, this recipe is keto-friendly, provided the marinara sauce is sugar-free. All other listed ingredients are suitable for a ketogenic diet.
- Gluten-Free: Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free.
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