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Keto Taco Casserole
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Five simple ingredients. Big taco flavor. One easy family dinner.
🌮 Low-Carb Friendly • Family Favorite • Easy Cleanup
Some dinners are so simple you almost feel like you're getting away with something. This is one of them!
My Keto Taco Casserole has become one of those meals everyone wants the recipe for. Creamy cottage cheese, plenty of cheddar, savory taco-seasoned meat, and salsa come together in a cheesy, bubbling casserole that's just as appealing to people who don't eat keto.
And with just five main ingredients, there's no complicated prep or stack of dirty pans waiting when dinner is done. That's my kind of weeknight cooking!
Why This Casserole Is a Keeper
- Just five main ingredients: No lengthy grocery list.
- Easy assembly: The meat cooks right in the casserole dish.
- Plenty of flavor: Salsa and taco seasoning do the heavy lifting.
- Great leftovers: Reheats nicely for another meal.
- Low-carb friendly: Choose salsa and seasoning that fit your personal carbohydrate goals.
🌮 Keto Taco Casserole
Creamy, cheesy, and packed with taco flavor
Yield: 6 servings
Equipment: Greased 11 × 13-inch casserole dish (the size I use)
🧺 Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground turkey or ground beef
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 16 ounces salsa
- 16 ounces cottage cheese
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
🍽️ Directions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C).
- Start the meat. Mix the ground meat with the taco seasoning in a large greased casserole dish. I use an 11 × 13-inch dish. Spread evenly and bake for 20 minutes.
- Mix the topping. While the meat bakes, stir together the cottage cheese, salsa, and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Set aside.
- Assemble. Carefully remove the casserole dish from the oven. Drain away the cooking liquid, then break up the meat into small pieces. Spread the cottage cheese mixture evenly over the meat. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup cheddar cheese.
- Finish baking. Return to the oven for another 15–20 minutes, until the cheese is hot and bubbly and the center of the casserole reaches 165°F (74°C) on a food thermometer.
🌻 Jenny's Kitchen Tips
Turkey or beef?
Both work. Ground beef brings a richer flavor, while turkey makes a lighter-tasting version. Either way, check the casserole's temperature before serving.
Choose your salsa
Mild, medium, or hot all work depending on your family's preference. For a keto-style meal, check the nutrition label since carbohydrate amounts vary between brands.
Don't skip draining
Draining the juices after the first bake helps keep the cottage cheese topping creamy instead of watery.
Extra toppings?
After baking, try a little shredded lettuce, sliced avocado, chopped cilantro, or sour cream if you like. These are optional and not part of the five-ingredient recipe.
What to Serve with Keto Taco Casserole
It's delicious as a meal all on its own, but I also like the idea of serving it with a simple green salad, roasted vegetables, or cauliflower rice. Anyone who isn't eating low-carb can enjoy it with tortilla chips or warm tortillas.
How to Store Leftovers
Refrigerate leftovers within two hours in covered shallow containers and enjoy within 3–4 days. Freeze portions for another busy day, and reheat to 165°F before serving.