Description

This Cheesy Low Carb Taco Casserole is a hearty, flavor-packed dish perfect for a comforting weeknight meal. It combines seasoned ground meat, sautéed vegetables, and a creamy cheese mixture, all baked to golden perfection. This casserole is low in carbohydrates, making it ideal for those following a low-carb diet, without sacrificing any of the classic taco flavors you love.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Vegetables

2 pounds ground beef (80/20 or 85/15), ground turkey, or ground chicken
1 large yellow onion, finely diced
2 bell peppers (any color), cored and diced
1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel), undrained

Seasonings and Liquids

2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
1 (1-ounce) packet low-carb taco seasoning
½ cup water or beef broth

Creamy Mixture

8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
½ cup sour cream (full-fat)
¼ cup heavy cream (optional)
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Topping

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend

Instructions

Prepare Ingredients & Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Ensure cream cheese is softened, and dice the yellow onion and bell peppers. Open canned ingredients.
Brown the Ground Meat: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add your ground beef (or chosen meat), break it up, and cook, stirring occasionally, until completely browned, about 7-10 minutes. Drain off any excess fat.
Sauté Aromatics & Season: Return drained meat to the skillet. Add the finely diced yellow onion and bell peppers. Cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until vegetables soften. Sprinkle the low-carb taco seasoning over the mixture, stir well, and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
Simmer the Filling: Pour in the undrained diced tomatoes with green chilies and ½ cup of water or beef broth. Stir everything together. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 5-10 minutes to meld flavors. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if necessary. Remove skillet from heat.
Prepare the Creamy Mixture: In a separate medium-sized bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, optional heavy cream, garlic powder, and onion powder. Whisk or mix thoroughly until the mixture is completely smooth and free of lumps.
Combine Meat & Creamy Layers: Gently fold about two-thirds of the smooth creamy mixture into the skillet with the seasoned meat and vegetables. Stir until just combined. Transfer this meat and creamy mixture to the prepared 9×13-inch baking dish and spread evenly.
Assemble the Casserole: Carefully dollop the remaining one-third of the plain creamy mixture over the meat layer and gently spread it out into an even layer. Generously sprinkle the 2 cups of shredded cheddar (or blend) cheese evenly over the top.
Bake to Perfection: Place the baking dish into your preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbling around the edges and the cheese on top is melted, golden brown, and slightly bubbly. If the cheese browns too quickly, you can loosely tent the dish with aluminum foil for the last 10 minutes.
Rest, Garnish & Serve: Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest on a wire rack for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish generously with optional fresh toppings such as chopped cilantro, diced avocado or guacamole, extra sour cream, sliced jalapeños, hot sauce, or shredded lettuce. Serve warm.
Storage Instructions: Store any leftovers covered tightly in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven. Add fresh avocado toppings just before serving.

Notes

Use any ground meat of your choice: beef, turkey, or chicken all work well.
Softening the cream cheese before mixing ensures a smooth creamy texture without lumps.
The heavy cream is optional but adds extra creaminess to the casserole.
Adjust the taco seasoning based on your spice preference and choose a low-carb variety to keep it keto-friendly.
You can substitute water with beef broth for a richer flavor.
For a milder casserole, omit jalapeños and hot sauce toppings.
This casserole reheats well and flavors develop even more after resting.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Casserole
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Mexican-American

Keywords: low carb, taco casserole, cheesy casserole, ground beef recipe, keto taco bake