This easy keto taco casserole is one of my favorite low carb ground beef dinners for busy nights. It has all the taco flavors we love in a cheesy baked casserole that takes minimal effort and reheats great for leftovers.
Why You'll Love This Keto Taco Casserole
This keto taco casserole is one of those easy ground beef dinners I keep coming back to because it takes almost no effort but still feels like real comfort food. Everything cooks in one skillet before getting topped with plenty of cheese and baked until hot and bubbly.
I also love that it works for both low carb and family dinners. I can serve mine with taco toppings or cauliflower rice while the rest of the family adds chips or tortillas on the side.
If you want a heartier low carb beef casserole, you can even stir in cauliflower rice before baking, but honestly, I usually keep it simple exactly as written. That's part of why this recipe has become such a regular in my kitchen.
Ingredients You'll Need
This easy keto taco casserole uses simple ingredients that are easy to keep on hand for busy weeknights. The full printable recipe card with exact measurements is at the bottom of the post.
Ground beef: I usually use lean ground beef so the casserole does not end up greasy, but any ground beef will work. You can also use ground turkey if you prefer.
Onion and garlic: These add a lot of flavor to the beef mixture and make the casserole taste more homemade.
Taco seasoning: Using a packet keeps this recipe fast and easy. Use your favorite brand or homemade taco seasoning.
Diced tomatoes with green chiles: I use Rotel, usually mild, but any diced tomatoes with green chiles will work. You can also swap this for salsa if that is what you have.
Shredded cheese: I like a Mexican blend cheese here, but cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or pepper jack all work well.
Oil: Just a little oil for cooking the onion and garlic.
Optional additions: If you want a heartier low carb beef casserole, you can stir in cauliflower rice before baking. Diced bell peppers also work well if you want extra vegetables.
How To Make Keto Taco Casserole
Step 1
Cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic in a skillet. Stir in the taco seasoning.
Step 2
Mix in diced tomatoes with green chilis and cheese. Transfer to a casserole dish.
Step 3
Top with remaining cheese and bake in the oven.
Step 4
Serve with your favorite taco toppings.
Ways To Make This Low Carb Beef Casserole Your Own
One of the reasons I make this keto taco casserole so often is because it is easy to adjust based on what I have in the fridge or what my family wants that night.
Make it heartier: Stir in about 2 cups of cauliflower rice before baking to turn this into a more filling low carb beef casserole. I usually use frozen cauliflower rice straight from the bag.
Add more vegetables: Diced bell peppers work really well in this recipe and add extra flavor and texture. You can cook them with the onion and garlic.
Change the protein: Ground turkey or ground chicken both work well if you want something lighter.
Use different cheese: Mexican blend, cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or pepper jack are all good here depending on how much spice you like.
Make it spicier: Use hot Rotel, add jalapenos, or drizzle hot sauce over the top before serving.
Turn it into taco bowls: Serve the casserole over cauliflower rice or shredded lettuce with your favorite taco toppings for an easy low carb taco bowl dinner.
Topping Ideas
This keto taco casserole is really easy to customize with toppings depending on how you want to serve it. I usually set everything out taco-bar style so everyone can build their own plate.
Some of my favorite toppings are:
- Sour cream
- Diced avocado
- Sliced jalapenos
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Green onions
- Black olives
- Salsa
- Hot sauce
- Fresh cilantro
For a low carb dinner, I usually serve mine with cauliflower rice or a side salad. The rest of my family will sometimes add tortilla chips or wrap the casserole in tortillas for tacos or burritos.
What To Serve With Keto Taco Casserole
This keto taco casserole is filling enough on its own, but I usually add a simple side dish or toppings to turn it into a full taco night dinner.
For low carb sides, I love serving it with Mexican cauliflower rice, roasted broccoli, or a simple side salad. Keto jalapeno cornbread is also really good with the taco flavors in this casserole.
If you want something crunchy, my keto tortilla chips are perfect for scooping up the cheesy beef mixture like a dip.
For family dinners, I usually let everyone build their own plates with toppings, chips, or tortillas on the side so I do not have to make separate meals.
Storage and Meal Prep Tips
This keto taco casserole reheats really well, which makes it one of my favorite low carb meal prep dinners. The leftovers are just as good the next day and the flavors get even better after sitting overnight.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To reheat, warm individual portions in the microwave or reheat the casserole in the oven until heated through.
You can also freeze this casserole for longer storage. Let it cool completely, then store portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Leftovers are great served over cauliflower rice, wrapped in low carb tortillas, or eaten with keto tortilla chips for an easy lunch or quick dinner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You can assemble the casserole ahead of time, cover it, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. When ready to cook, bake as directed until hot and bubbly.
Absolutely. Ground turkey or ground chicken both work well in this recipe if you want a lighter option.
As written, this recipe is mild. To make it spicier, use hot Rotel, pepper jack cheese, jalapenos, or your favorite hot sauce.
Recipe Card
Easy Low Carb Taco Casserole with Ground Beef
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 10 ounces Diced tomatoes with green chilis
- 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese or a Colby jack
- Toppings such as tomatoes, avocado, or sour cream
Method
- Pre-heat the oven to 400F. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and garlic to the skillet and cook until the onion is translucent. About 5-8 minutes.
- Add the ground beef to the pan and cook and crumble the meat until it is heated through. This will take about 8 minutes. Stir in the taco seasoning and ¼ cup of water.
- Spoon the ground beef mixture into a casserole or baking dish. Now stir in the Rotel and 1 cup of shredded cheese. Finally, top with the remaining cheese mixture.
- Bake in the pre-heated oven for 20 minutes, or until the cheese melts and is turning golden brown.
Notes
- For a heartier low carb beef casserole, stir in about 2 cups of cauliflower rice before baking. Frozen cauliflower rice works great and does not need to be thawed first.
- Lean ground beef works best for this recipe so the casserole does not become greasy.
- You can use salsa in place of the diced tomatoes with green chiles if that is what you have on hand.
- Mexican blend, cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or pepper jack cheese all work well in this casserole.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- This casserole is great served with taco toppings, keto tortilla chips, cauliflower rice, or a simple side salad.
Kathleen Brown says
The taco casserole was delicious. My husband and son loved it. So easy to make. We will definitely have this again. Thank you Jennifer!
Cheryl says
What is Rotel? not listed in ingredients
Jennifer Banz says
It is a canned tomato product consisting of diced tomatoes and green chilis
michelle says
Yummy, warm comfort food in a bowl. I made this for supper this evening and hubby, who is neither keto or low carb went back for seconds. We had some baby peppers in the fridge so I added those and some fresh parmesan at the table. Delicious! Thank you, Jennifer! 🙂
chris knapp says
Love all Your recipes, but this is my Favorite!!!!!! So Good!!!!
Ken says
Thank you Jennifer. Delicious. Our gang loves it.
Janet says
I am getting tired of this woman posting recipes but she never gives the measurement for each ingredients. Its like she says throw this and that together and nothing else..Goind somewhere else to look now
Jennifer Banz says
Can you please explain this? Every single recipe has the ingredients and the amounts in the recipe card which you had to scroll past to leave your comment.
Jane says
Such an easy recipe. I made it for meal prep for the rest of the week.