Invisible Keto

Making real food for real people.

In Progress →

Cheeseburger Casserole

Get the full experience of a cheeseburger with no bun needed or even wanted. You'll never see a "lettuce-wrapped burger" on this site!

The recipe is designed for a regular-sized casserole dish, but I actually prefer individually baked portions, providing a more burger-like experience. For this, fill individual baking dishes with ground beef approximately 1–1½ inches deep and bake until the center reaches 160–165°F (71–74°C). Individual portions generally bake more evenly, reheat more quickly, and freeze better than a large casserole.

Ingredients

Beef Layer

Double the ingredients for a large casserole; the goal is 1½-2 inches deep.

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 4 oz cream cheese
  • 1/4–1/3 cup Caramelized Onions
  • 3–4 cloves Roasted Garlic, mashed
  • 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Custard Layer

  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tbsp mustard (Dijon or yellow)
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Topping

  • 10–20 pickle slices or more, enough to cover the casserole
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Optional Toppings

  • Burger sauce
  • Avocado puree or diced avocado
  • Additional pickle slices

Method

  1. Cook the bacon until crisp. Remove and crumble.

  2. Brown the ground beef. Add the caramelized onions and roasted garlic and cook briefly to combine.

  3. Add the cream cheese, ketchup, salt, and pepper. Stir until the cream cheese is fully incorporated.

  4. Stir in the bacon.

  5. Transfer the beef mixture to a casserole dish.

  6. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, mustard, and 1 cup cheddar cheese.

  7. Pour the custard mixture evenly over the beef.

  8. Arrange pickle slices across the top of the casserole.

  9. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese.

  10. Bake at 350°F (175°C) until the center is set and registers 160–165°F (71–74°C), approximately 20–30 minutes for a standard casserole. Larger or deeper casseroles may require substantially more time.

  11. If necessary, broil a bit to brown the cheese.

  12. Rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.

Storage

Refrigerator

Allow the casserole to cool completely, then cover and refrigerate for up to 5 days. The flavor improves after an overnight rest as the beef, cheese, bacon, mustard, garlic, onions, and pickles have time to meld.

Freezer

Portion into individual servings or freeze the entire casserole in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat until warmed through, until approximately 140–150°F (60–66°C) in the center.

Microwave

Reheat individual portions in 30-second intervals.

Oven

Cover with foil and bake at 325°F (165°C) until heated through, approximately 15–25 minutes depending on portion size. For a freshly melted cheese topping, add a small amount of additional cheddar before reheating.

Air Fryer

Individual portions may be reheated at 325°F (165°C) for 5–10 minutes until warmed through.

Inspirations