Invisible Keto

Making real food for real people.

Meat → Beef →

Cheeseburger Bake

In Invisible Keto style, this is not an attempt to recreate a burger with some funky bun substitute. This is taking the taste profile of a cheeseburger, elevating it, and presenting it as its own dish. The result is quite memorable.

The finished bake must be refrigerated overnight. During the rest, the pickle brine and cheese topping permeate the custard and beef, bringing the individual components together into a unified cheeseburger flavor.

Equipment

  • 1 oven-safe baking dish or large ramekin, approximately 12 to 16 ounces. A mini cast iron skillet works very well.

Ingredients

1 serving.

Beef Layer

  • 4-6 oz ground beef, enough to form an even layer approximately an inch deep in the baking dish
  • 1 oz cream cheese
  • 1 tbsp Caramelized Onions
  • 2 cloves Roasted Garlic, mashed
  • 1 slice bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper

Custard Layer

  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp mustard (Dijon or yellow; I prefer yellow for the cheeseburger vibe)
  • 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Topping

  • 5-7 pickle slices, enough to cover the surface
  • Enough shredded cheddar cheese to cover the top and brown

Side Toppings

Method

Prepare the Filling

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

  2. Brown the ground beef in a skillet, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. Drain excess fat if necessary.

  3. Add the caramelized onions and roasted garlic and cook briefly to combine.

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

  5. Stir in the crumbled bacon.

  6. Transfer the beef mixture to the baking dish and spread it into an even layer approximately 1 to 1½ inches deep.

Add the Custard and Toppings

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, heavy cream, mustard, and 1/4 cup cheddar cheese.

  2. Pour the custard mixture evenly over the beef.

  3. Arrange the pickle slices across the top.

  4. Sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons cheddar cheese.

Bake

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

  2. Place the baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet to make it easier to handle and catch any overflow.

  3. Bake until the custard is set and the center registers 160°F to 165°F (71°C to 74°C), approximately 15 to 25 minutes.

  4. If necessary, broil briefly to brown the cheese.

  5. Rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Air Fryer

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 325°F (165°C).

  2. Place the baking dish in the air-fryer basket, leaving space around it for air to circulate.

  3. Air-fry until the custard is set and the center registers 160°F to 165°F (71°C to 74°C), approximately 12 to 20 minutes.

  4. If the cheese browns before the center reaches temperature, loosely cover the dish with foil. Secure the foil carefully so it cannot be drawn into the heating element.

  5. Let cool then refrigerate overnight.

  6. Reheat at 325°F (165°C) in oven or air fryer until the center is warmed through, 140°F-150°F (60°C to 66°C).

To Serve

Serve in the baking dish with Secret Burger Sauce, ketchup, avocado, or additional pickle slices as desired.

The baking dish will remain very hot after resting, so place it on a heatproof plate or trivet before serving.

Inspirations