Keto Cabbage Casserole with Ground Beef Easy Recipe

There’s something deeply satisfying about watching cabbage soften into sweet, golden layers while beef bubbles away underneath. This Keto Cabbage Casserole with Ground Beef is hearty, cozy, and completely low-carb the kind of dinner that feels like a warm hug without any of the guilt.

I made this on a gray Tuesday in February 2019, when I was deep in a low-carb phase and craving something that actually tasted like comfort food. The cabbage practically melted into the seasoned beef, and my kitchen smelled like my grandma’s house. After ten years of blogging, I’ve learned that simple ingredients often make the most memorable meals and this one’s been on repeat ever since.

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Why You’ll Love This Keto Cabbage Casserole with Ground Beef

This is the kind of dinner that makes you feel like you accomplished something, even if you barely tried. The cabbage gets tender and sweet, the beef adds richness, and everything melts together under a blanket of bubbly cheddar cheese.

• Budget-friendly: Cabbage is cheap, and you probably have most of these ingredients already.
• Low-carb comfort: All the cozy casserole vibes without the carbs from pasta or rice.
• Flexible cooking methods: Oven, slow cooker, or pressure cooker pick what works for your day.
• Meal prep champion: Makes great leftovers and freezes beautifully.

What You’ll Need (and Some Sneaky Swaps)

Most of these ingredients are weeknight staples, which means you can pull this together without a special grocery run. The tomato sauce and cream cheese create a rich, tangy base that feels indulgent but stays keto-friendly.

If you want to lighten it up, swap the ground beef for chicken mince. Red cabbage works just as well as green cabbage it’ll just add a pop of purple. And if dairy’s not your thing, skip the cheddar cheese and cream cheese entirely, or use vegan alternatives.

Ingredient	Easy Swap
Ground beef	Chicken mince, ground turkey
Green cabbage	Red cabbage, savoy cabbage
Cheddar cheese	Vegan cheese, nutritional yeast
Cream cheese	Coconut cream (dairy-free)
Fresh garlic	Garlic powder (1 teaspoon)
Diced onion	Onion powder (1 teaspoon)

How It All Comes Together

You start by browning the ground beef in a skillet, which builds flavor and gets rid of extra grease. Then the chopped cabbage, grated carrot, minced garlic, and diced onion go in until everything softens and smells amazing. After that, you stir in the tomato sauce, cream cheese, and half the shredded cheddar cheese until it’s all melty and combined.

The whole mixture gets transferred to a casserole dish, topped with the rest of the cheddar cheese, and baked until golden and bubbly. If you’re using a pressure cooker or slow cooker, the steps are even simpler just layer, cook, and stir in the cheese at the end.

Pro Tip: If you want extra crunch, sprinkle crispy bacon bits or parmesan cheese on top before baking.

Cooking Method Breakdown

Depending on your schedule, you can make this three different ways. The oven method gives you that crispy, golden top. The pressure cooker is fastest if you’re in a rush. And the slow cooker is perfect for busy days when you want dinner ready when you walk in the door.

Method	Total Time	Best For
Oven	50 minutes	Golden, bubbly cheese topping
Pressure Cooker	25 minutes	Fast weeknight dinner
Slow Cooker	6–8 hours (low)	Set-it-and-forget-it convenience

Serving and Storage Tips

This casserole is filling on its own, but I like pairing it with a simple green salad or roasted cauliflower on the side. If you want to make it even heartier, add a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley or basil.

Leftovers reheat beautifully in the microwave or oven. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days, or freeze individual portions for up to three months. Just thaw overnight and reheat when you need an easy lunch or dinner.

Storage	How Long
Refrigerator	Up to 4 days
Freezer	Up to 3 months
Reheating	Microwave 2–3 minutes or oven at 350°F

Little Tweaks That Make a Big Difference

Want to dial up the flavor? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat, or stir in some Italian seasoning for extra herbiness. You can also swap the tomato sauce for marinara if you want a chunkier texture.

If you’re going dairy-free, nutritional yeast adds a cheesy, savory flavor without any actual cheese. And if you love bacon, crumble some crispy bacon bits on top right before serving it’s a total game-changer.

Note: The grated carrot adds a touch of natural sweetness and blends right into the casserole, so even picky eaters won’t notice it.

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How I Finally Nailed This Keto Cabbage Casserole with Ground Beef

This Keto Cabbage Casserole with Ground Beef took me more attempts than I care to admit. The first time, I added way too much liquid and ended up with cabbage soup. After tweaking the cheese ratio and baking time, I finally landed on this version bubbly, savory, and actually something my kids ask for.

FAQs ( Keto Cabbage Casserole with Ground Beef )

You’ll love how this Keto Cabbage Casserole with Ground Beef turns out tender, savory, and bubbling with melted cheese in under an hour. It’s the kind of dinner that feels like you put in way more effort than you actually did, and honestly? That’s my favorite kind of win.

If you want to stretch it even further, stir in some leftover cooked cauliflower rice or zucchini chunks before baking. A little smoked paprika or cumin adds unexpected warmth a trick I learned from my aunt’s kitchen when she’d doctor up leftovers. And if you’re reheating portions throughout the week, a splash of broth keeps everything moist and delicious.

I’d love to see how yours turns out! Did you grow up eating cabbage casseroles, or is this your first time giving cabbage the spotlight it deserves? Snap a photo, tag me, or just tuck this recipe away for the next time you need something cozy, comforting, and totally keto-friendly. Your family’s going to ask for it again I promise.