Keto Tex-Mex casserole

Keto Tex-Mex casserole

Hearty and spicy like you daydream about. Loaded with classic Tex-Mex goodness — minus the carbs — this easy keto casserole will satisfy all your south-of-the-border cravings. And say goodbye to store-bought guac and packaged taco seasonings! Making your own is simple, healthy and delicious.

Keto Tex-Mex casserole

Hearty and spicy like you daydream about. Loaded with classic Tex-Mex goodness — minus the carbs — this easy keto casserole will satisfy all your south-of-the-border cravings. And say goodbye to store-bought guac and packaged taco seasonings! Making your own is simple, healthy and delicious.
USMetric
4 servingservings

Ingredients

  • 1½ lbs 650 g ground beef or ground turkey
  • 1 tbsp 1 tbsp butter
  • 3 tbsp 3 tbsp Tex-Mex seasoning
  • 1 cup (9 oz.) 240 ml (250 g) crushed tomatoes
  • 2 oz. 55 g pickled jalapeños
  • 2 cups (8 oz.) 475 ml (230 g) cheddar cheese, shredded
For serving
  • ¾ cup 180 ml sour cream or crème fraîche
  • 1 (½ oz.) 1 (15 g) scallion, finely choppedscallions, finely chopped
  • 5 oz. (2½ cups) 140 g (600 ml) leafy greens or iceberg lettuce
  • 1 cup 240 ml guacamole (optional)
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Instructions

Instructions are for 4 servings. Please modify as needed.

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Fry the ground beef in butter over medium high heat until cooked through and no longer pink.
  3. Add Tex-Mex seasoning and crushed tomatoes. Stir and let simmer for 5 minutes. Taste to see if it needs additional salt and pepper.
  4. Place the ground beef mixture in a greased baking dish (about 9" or 23 cm in diameter). Top with jalapeños and cheese.
  5. Bake on upper rack in oven for 15–20 minutes or until golden brown on top.
  6. Mix the scallion with the crème fraîche or sour cream in a separate bowl.
  7. Serve the casserole warm with a dollop of the crème fraîche or sour cream, guacamole and a green salad.

Make your own Tex-mex seasoning

Don't be scared to recreate the flavors of Texas and Mexico right in the comfort of your own kitchen. Making your own Tex-Mex seasoning blend kicks sugar out the door and puts you in the driver’s seat. And, since variety is the spice of life, play around a little! Switch in hot smoked paprika or smoked salt. Grind up dried specialty peppers, or chop up a chipotle in adobo sauce. Taste as you go and you can't go wrong! Your Tex-Mex experience will be elevated to the next level.

How to vary this dish

This casserole can be varied in a million and one ways. You can wrap it up in our low-carb tortillas, fill a crunchy keto taco shell or serve it burrito style. The whole neighborhood will want to spend Taco Tuesdays at your place.

If you're not so much into the southern spice mood, substitute the Tex-Mex flavors (seasoning, jalapeños and guacamole) for pesto, or add garlic powder, basil, salt and black pepper. Top it with shredded mozzarella, sliced fresh tomatoes and a generous amount of grated parmesan cheese and you'll have an Italian version that's to die for.

If you feel like flirting with Indian cuisine you can substitute the ground beef for ground pork or ground chicken and season it with curry powder and Garam masala.

How to store this casserole

This dish can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator a day before you plan on serving it. Remove from the fridge about 30 minutes before reheating. Placing a cold baking dish straight from the fridge into a hot oven can cause your casserole dish to crack. Reheat in the oven at 300°F (150°C) until thoroughly warm.

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💬 Have you tried this recipe?

What did you think? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below!
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241 comments

  1. blancaladyg
    HI! a few modifications due to some lack of products in my area but the end product was great. I put a serving on top of cauliflower mash and it reminded me of shepherd's pie!! Thank you for sharing. This "stay at home" time has given me the opportunity to study, research and learn more about cooking keto. :)
  2. 1 comment removed
  3. Tori
    This was delicious! A new staple in our house for sure!
  4. Caroline
    Love it and my daughter always requests it.
  5. Szid
    Made this last night, it was delicious, I made 2 portions for my husband and me, I just thought it was too salty for me. I will have to reduce the seasoning next time or won't add salt to the text-mex mixture.
    Reply: #240
  6. C
    What is the break down as far as a single portion
    Reply: #207
  7. Kristin Parker Team Diet Doctor

    What is the break down as far as a single portion

    All of our recipes show the nutrition information per serving. You can access the full nutrition breakdown by clicking the Nutrition+ tab under the list of ingredients.

  8. Jen
    This is really good, I've made it many times. I wondered, however, can this meal be cooked in a cast iron pan on the stove, then into the oven for the cheese to melt?
    Reply: #209
  9. Crystal Pullen Team Diet Doctor

    This is really good, I've made it many times. I wondered, however, can this meal be cooked in a cast iron pan on the stove, then into the oven for the cheese to melt?

    Yes, you could do this in a cast iron pan.

  10. Tanyeus
    I totally understand that it makes 4 servings as the recipe is written. However, what are the serving sizes? is 1 serving a cup, 150 grams, 300 grams etc.. of the finish cooked product?
    Reply: #211
  11. Kristin Parker Team Diet Doctor

    I totally understand that it makes 4 servings as the recipe is written. However, what are the serving sizes? is 1 serving a cup, 150 grams, 300 grams etc.. of the finish cooked product?

    That is going to depend. If you use a leaner or fattier ground beef or how much the dish reduces in volume while it cooks. There are too many variables across different kitchens to give a serving size, especially for casseroles and soups.

  12. Louise
    No calorie counts?
    Reply: #214
  13. 1 comment removed
  14. Kerry Merritt Team Diet Doctor

    No calorie counts?

    Hi, Louise! The calories are listed on the Nutrition tab, which is located under the ingredients list. You may have to click it to expand it.

  15. Samanthamdbryan
    The recipe keeps switching from green(keto) to yellow(low carb) and back. Can I get an explanation for this?
    Reply: #216
  16. Kerry Merritt Team Diet Doctor

    The recipe keeps switching from green(keto) to yellow(low carb) and back. Can I get an explanation for this?

    I'm not sure what you mean. This is a (green circle) keto recipe with 8g carbs per serving. Are you seeing it somewhere else with a yellow circle?

  17. 1 comment removed
  18. Samanthamdbryan

    The recipe keeps switching from green(keto) to yellow(low carb) and back. Can I get an explanation for this?

    I'm not sure what you mean. This is a (green circle) keto recipe with 8g carbs per serving. Are you seeing it somewhere else with a yellow circle?

    Yes. It shows up with a yellow circle on my meal plan. It will change between the two on a pretty regular basis. I can send yo a screen shot if you would like?

    Reply: #219
  19. Kerry Merritt Team Diet Doctor

    The recipe keeps switching from green(keto) to yellow(low carb) and back. Can I get an explanation for this?

    I'm not sure what you mean. This is a (green circle) keto recipe with 8g carbs per serving. Are you seeing it somewhere else with a yellow circle?

    Yes. It shows up with a yellow circle on my meal plan. It will change between the two on a pretty regular basis. I can send yo a screen shot if you would like?

    Yes, that would be great. Please send a screenshot to support@dietdoctor.com. Thank you!

  20. susanbayles16
    Made this for dinner tonight. It was a win. Love the home made seasoning! Would highly recommend. Served it with keto jalapeno poppers.
    Reply: #221
  21. Crystal Pullen Team Diet Doctor

    Made this for dinner tonight. It was a win. Love the home made seasoning! Would highly recommend. Served it with keto jalapeno poppers.

    Excellent idea for a side!!

  22. lvw14
    Can tomato sauce replace crushed tomatoes?
    Reply: #223
  23. Crystal Pullen Team Diet Doctor

    Can tomato sauce replace crushed tomatoes?

    That might work, but it has not been tested and will adjust the carb count for the recipe.

  24. Melanie
    Since the recipe didn’t mention draining off the grease from the browned meat, I left it in the recipe but it was really oily when it came out of the oven. Should I drain off the fat before adding the spices and crushed tomatoes?
    Reply: #225
  25. Kerry Merritt Team Diet Doctor

    Since the recipe didn’t mention draining off the grease from the browned meat, I left it in the recipe but it was really oily when it came out of the oven. Should I drain off the fat before adding the spices and crushed tomatoes?

    That's truly personal preference. Some people prefer to drain, while others don't.
    If it was too oily for you, you may want to try draining next time.

  26. Celine
    in this recipe how many carbs is for the serving side of the guacamole?
    Reply: #227
  27. Kerry Merritt Team Diet Doctor

    in this recipe how many carbs is for the serving side of the guacamole?

    The guacamole is optional for this recipe, therefore not included in the nutritional information.
    However, here is a link to the guacamole recipe, which will show the carb count per serving. https://www.dietdoctor.com/recipes/low-carb-guacamole

  28. 1 comment removed
  29. Kristi Goodale Miller
    Family of four just devoured this! I ate with lettuce, diced onions, sour cream and guacamole. My husband, 8 and 5 year old ate it on low carb wraps. I made a separate dish for the kids and didn't put jalepeno's on theirs.
    Reply: #230
  30. Crystal Pullen Team Diet Doctor

    Family of four just devoured this! I ate with lettuce, diced onions, sour cream and guacamole. My husband, 8 and 5 year old ate it on low carb wraps. I made a separate dish for the kids and didn't put jalepeno's on theirs.

    It is a great day and a great meal when you can find something the entire family agrees on!

  31. Adriana
    This may be a not so smart question but i have to ask because i'm thoroughly confused for some reason. My question is related to the grams per Carb, Fat and Protein. Since this recipe makes 4 servings, do i divide the #'s provided in the nutrition section by 4 to get the individual carb, fat, and protein values per serving/per person.
    Reply: #232
  32. Charlotte Zwart Team Diet Doctor

    This may be a not so smart question but i have to ask because i'm thoroughly confused for some reason. My question is related to the grams per Carb, Fat and Protein. Since this recipe makes 4 servings, do i divide the #'s provided in the nutrition section by 4 to get the individual carb, fat, and protein values per serving/per person.

    The nutritional information is per serving.

  33. Clay
    Can you explain how the net carbs add up to 8? Seems like it wouldn't be that high with the ingredients. Trying to understand what I am missing.
    Reply: #234
  34. Kristin Parker Team Diet Doctor

    Can you explain how the net carbs add up to 8? Seems like it wouldn't be that high with the ingredients. Trying to understand what I am missing.

    The carbs in this recipe come from the Tex Mex seasoning (2g), tomatoes (3g), sour cream (2g) and the lettuce (1g).

  35. Connie
    While tasty, mine looks nothing like yours. I used 85/15 ground beef & the whole thing ended up swimming in grease. The cheese & jalapenos sank into the ground beef, resulting in a much less appetizing appearance. Think I'll try ground turkey or a leaner ground beef next time. BTW, this is Day 1, Meal 2. I'm so excited about the possibility of breaking my carb addiction.
    Reply: #236
  36. Kristin Parker Team Diet Doctor

    While tasty, mine looks nothing like yours. I used 85/15 ground beef & the whole thing ended up swimming in grease. The cheese & jalapenos sank into the ground beef, resulting in a much less appetizing appearance. Think I'll try ground turkey or a leaner ground beef next time. BTW, this is Day 1, Meal 2. I'm so excited about the possibility of breaking my carb addiction.

    Welcome Connie! For future recipes, you can use a leaner ground beef or drain it after browning the meat.

  37. Kenny
    This is my favorite go-to recipe. I make enough for the week and I even mix it up a little bit with some chopped bell peppers and spinach. This is super good and I probably have it twice or three times a month!
  38. Ricardo
    Too good everything “sabroso”
  39. Shirley
    Thanks for asking this. I’ve been completely confused about it on every recipe so far!
  40. Laurie
    I agree, it was way too salty if you use the Tex Mex seasoning recipe with salt. Otherwise, it had good flavor. My casserole also had lots of grease, which could be reduced by cutting down on the butter!
  41. Lizzy
    Really enjoyed this but omitted cooking the meat in butter as personally I felt it was way to much so I added just a touch of water to the pan. Meal was full of flavour and so easy to prepare. Made the Tex Mex Seasoning and the Guacamole both came out very well indeed.
  42. Corrine
    Can this dish be prepped ahead and cooked next day instead of having to heat up already cooked portions?

    Regards/Thank you
    Corrine

    Reply: #243
  43. Kerry Merritt Team Diet Doctor

    Can this dish be prepped ahead and cooked next day instead of having to heat up already cooked portions?
    Regards/Thank you
    Corrine

    Yes, that should work fine!

  44. Carole
    I tried this recipe tonight, very good and the family liked it. This is one recipe I felt needed adding to as there weren't a lot of ingredients. When the ground beef was nearly done, I added some chopped red onion. In the baking dish I added on a small can of chopped green chilies for a bit more flavor, plus a few more raw chopped onions. Other than that, I prepared the recipe as written. I thought I put a lot of the spice but I think I will add a bit more next time. Overall, the taste was really good with the sour cream/scallion mix and guacamole mixed with a bite of the dish. Yum! I'll definitely put this recipe on my rotation list of dinners. Excellent!
  45. L. Devine
    While we enjoyed this dish, we thought it tasted more like sloppy joe meat than tex-mex or taco meat. I used the tex-mex seasoning recipe minus the salt (which I added to taste during cooking). I used my home-made pickled jalapenos from last year's garden harvest.
    Reply: #246
  46. Kerry Merritt Team Diet Doctor

    While we enjoyed this dish, we thought it tasted more like sloppy joe meat than tex-mex or taco meat. I used the tex-mex seasoning recipe minus the salt (which I added to taste during cooking). I used my home-made pickled jalapenos from last year's garden harvest.

    So glad you enjoyed it! Pickled jalapenos sound great!

  47. Terry
    This was very good. I used the diet doctor recipe for tex-mex seasoning only adding smoked paprika. I would never not drain my ground beef it is just too much fat, leaving 1-2 tablespoons. Adding the spices after browning then the tomatoes. I didn't fry it in butter. I used the butter to grease the casserole dish. I didn't have crushed tomatoes so I drained a can of diced. I put half of the beef in the dish and sprinkled some cheese on top and then did the same with what was left only adding some jalapenos on top of the cheese. I served this with sour cream.
    Reply: #248
  48. Kerry Merritt Team Diet Doctor

    This was very good. I used the diet doctor recipe for tex-mex seasoning only adding smoked paprika. I would never not drain my ground beef it is just too much fat, leaving 1-2 tablespoons. Adding the spices after browning then the tomatoes. I didn't fry it in butter. I used the butter to grease the casserole dish. I didn't have crushed tomatoes so I drained a can of diced. I put half of the beef in the dish and sprinkled some cheese on top and then did the same with what was left only adding some jalapenos on top of the cheese. I served this with sour cream.

    Jalapenos sound like an excellent addition! So glad you enjoyed this recipe!

  49. Stefanie
    We made this with ground turkey, and served with cassava and coconut flour tortillas. It had a medium spiciness that was very yummy, and we'll definitely be making this again!
  50. Anne Tolley
    This is a definite hit in our house! We like it using for roasted garlic tomatoes
    I also use the tex-mex seasoning on chicken, pork chops.... And if the mood suits me, I sweeten it up with a little golden monk fruit☺️
  51. Paul Davis
    I had this for the first time last night, it was so delicious I think I could eat it every day! I bought some foil pie dishes, divided the cooked beef into four then topped with cheese and vacuum packed for the freezer. Once defrosted I air fried for 20mins on 180°C for 20 mins which gave a really nice crusty cheese topping.
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