This Keto Mac and Cheese Skillet Casserole is a game changer. We love to eat it for dinner and also serve it on Sundays during football season. Mac and Cheese Skillet Casserole will definitely be part of the spread at our Super Bowl Party.
The Perfect One Pot Meal
This easy grain-free casserole recipe makes a wonderful dinner but is also good for so many other occasions. It’s the perfect one-pot potluck meal, given that it’s chock full of protein and vegetables, easy to make, and delicious.
Healthy Dinner Recipe for Kids
Keto Mac and Cheese Skillet Casserole has a bit of a kick to it! If you are making this healthy dinner recipe for children, you may want to reduce the smoked paprika.
Keto Mac and Cheese Skillet Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound organic grass fed ground beef
- 4 cups cooked spaghetti squash noodles
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon celtic sea salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cups freshly grated cheddar cheese
Instructions
- In a 10 inch cast iron skillet, cook beef until brown
- Remove from heat and set aside
- In a large bowl, Whisk heavy cream and eggs until smooth
- Mix in smoked paprika, salt, and pepper
- Stir in spaghetti squash, parmesan, and 1 cup cheddar
- Stir in ground beef
- Transfer mixture back to cast iron skillet
- Top with remaining cup of cheddar
- Bake at 350°F until bubbling around the edges 40-50 minutes
- Cool 15 minutes
- Serve
Quick and Easy Keto Dinner Recipe
To make this keto casserole recipe even easier, I cook the spaghetti squash the night before. That way I simply brown the meat, toss the ingredients in a bowl, and throw it in the oven for a wonderful grain-free dinner.
How to Cook Spaghetti Squash
If you haven’t cooked spaghetti squash before take a look at my How to Cook Spaghetti Squash guide. In it, I show you the easiest way ever to cook this low-carb winter squash.
More Low-Carb Keto Dinner Recipes
Here are some of my other easy low-carb keto dinner recipes!
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This post is an oldie but goodie from the archives. I first shared this recipe in January 2017.
Cindy Mueller says
We made this for dinner tonight and it was a huge hit!! We are not smoked paprika fans so I chopped half an onion and added 3 cloves of garlic to the meat mixture and it was so yummy. Thank Elana
Elana says
You’re welcome Cindy! I’m so happy that this was a huge hit :-)
Robyn says
Mine turned out a little watery; is that normal?
Elana says
Robyn, if you roast the spaghetti squash without any water in the pan this casserole will be perfect :-)
Cara says
Hi there! I am loving your blog so much (my husband was diagnosed with MS about a year ago after having had the symptoms for about 10 years). We quickly made dietary changes and are basically following Dr. Wahl’s Paleo Plus diet. I am wondering if you have written about the question of dairy. I thought that was one of the major no-no’s for autoimmune diseases. Very curious! Thanks!
Elana says
Cara, I have found sugar (even from fruit) to cause far more harm than healthy organic grass-fed dairy, but we are all biochemical individuals and need to listen to our own bodies :-)
Tracey Desrochers says
Elana,
I am not a huge fan of beef~ and was wondering if you thought that perhaps ground chicken would taste ok in this? Thanks for all you do and share~
Elana says
Tracey, I haven’t tried that so not sure. If you do experiment please let us know how it goes :-)
Erica says
I made this with ground turkey and it was excellent!
Elana says
Erica, I’m so happy to hear this was excellent! It’s one of our favorite comfort foods :-)
Tara Edwards says
Lamb is the traditional meat in Shepherd’s Pie.. maybe try that. We love ground lamb. When locally grown and raised on pasture, it’s quite mild.
Pam says
I don’t do ground beef either. Try ground turkey. That usually is pretty close to ground beef
Kim (Buffalo/Niagara Falls, NY) says
Hi Elana: This recipe was awesome – made it last night for dinner and eating leftovers for lunch today. My husband and kids who are not grain free also loved it. I have so many great recipes that I make that my husband said “well I won’t tell you that this is a keeper because you’ll never make it again” LOL! He’s exaggerating a little, but I do have a long rotation list. However, your shepard’s pie (which is tonight’s dinner) I’ve been making once a week! Thank you for everything you post. It is so helpful! I couldn’t live this lifestyle without your knowledge and guidance from your blog.
Elana says
Kim, I’m so glad that we are sharing this lifestyle and that we are on this healing path together! Thanks for letting me know this recipe was awesome!
Leslie says
Hi Elana! I can only say that this recipe is AMAZING!! I made it last night and didn’t change a thing – incredibly delicious and satisfying!! Thank you for all you do!!
Elana says
Leslie, you’re welcome. I’m so happy this was AMAZING!
Hilary says
The photo makes it look like you used ground turkey? Is this so, and does it turn out well with ground turkey?
Elana says
Hilary, this is a photo of the ingredients that are listed in the recipe. I haven’t made this with ground turkey :-)
Marci says
I made some substitutions which worked out fine > used ground turkey sautéed in curry powder, added chopped caramelized onions and leftover ricotta in place of the 1/2 c cheddar. Topped the cooked casserole with hot sauce. My husband and I loved it – and since it’s just the two of us there’s LOTS of leftovers…yay! Great recipe-thanks again!
Elana says
Marci, you’re welcome! So glad you and your husband loved this!
Holly says
I’m SO excited to try this! I started eating keto in November and there is NO turning back for me! I LOVE it so much!!! I’ve lost weight and body fat, have tons of energy, and for once in my life, don’t feel deprived, am less hungry & have no desire for sweets! It is so amazing and I wish I would have tried it sooner! Keep the keto recipes coming! :)
Elana says
Holly, I sure will! Here’s a link to all of my Keto Diet Recipes for you!
https://elanaspantry.com/diets/keto/
Enjoy!
Elana
Emma says
Hi Elana. I made this last night for my family with the following modifications:
Coconut cream instead of heavy cream
Grated butternut pumpkin in place on spaghetti squash (hard to find in australia)
No tasty cheese added at all, just some fetta on top.
I must say, even an almost dairy free version of this dish is still amazing!!! Even my very young children enjoyed it. Theres something very comforting about coconut and pumpkin….
Elana says
Emma, I’m so happy this was amazing!