Easy & Cheesy Keto Hamburger Helper

Keto Hamburger Helper

yield: 6 SERVINGS

prep time: 5 MINUTES

cook time: 30 MINUTES

total time: 35 MINUTES

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon keto-friendly oil
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon granular keto sweetener
  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 4 oz. cream cheese
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 4 cups zucchini, cubed
  • 2 cups Monterey jack cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions

1

In a large oven-safe skillet, such as a cast-iron skillet, sauté onions, and minced garlic in a tablespoon of keto oil. Add in ground beef, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and granular sweetener. Brown over medium heat. Drain all of the grease from the skillet once the beef is cooked.

2

Add in beef broth, tomato paste, and cream cheese. Stir over low heat until cream cheese has melted.

3

Add in heavy cream, cubed zucchini, and two cups of Monterey Jack cheese.

4

Stir for 5-10 minutes on low until zucchini is tender.

5

Turn oven to low broil, and add one cup of shredded cheddar cheese to the top of the hamburger helper. Place in oven under broil just until cheese has melted.

6

Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition Information

Yield: 7, Serving Size: 1 cup
Amount Per Serving: 573.9 Calories | 38.4g Fat | 8.0g Total Carbs | 1.0g Fiber | .5g Sugar Alcohol | 49.1g Protein | 6.5g Net Carbs

Brought to you by Hip2Keto.

Hip2Keto may earn a small commission via affiliate links in this post. Read our full disclosure policy here.

More One Pot Meals
26 Comments
4.8 / 8 ratings
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keto hamburger helper in a bowl with a spoon

Who else loved Hamburger Helper as a kid?🙋🏼‍♀️

If you’re like me, you grew up with Hamburger Helper as a regular dinner staple that was oh so yummy! While the original is so not keto-friendly, I’ve hacked it and turned it into a low carb meal that is ready in just under 40 minutes and comes together in just one pan.

You’re going to want to add this easy cheesy keto Hamburger Helper to your dinner menu!

This super easy keto dinner recipe will have everyone happy and asking for seconds. Packed with cheesy goodness, this dish can be made on a busy weeknight. I gotta tell ya, the next day leftovers might be even better. 😋

pan of keto hamburger helper

A few tips when making keto Hamburger Helper:

  • Want to sneak in some keto-friendly vegetables in addition to the zucchini? Go ahead, add all your favorites like broccoli, peppers, and/or mushrooms!
  • Make it even tastier by adding bacon to the mix! My boys love anything with bacon and it just gives it a little something extra.
  • If you have a busy weeknight ahead, you can make the beef mixture the day before, then add the cheese to the top, and toss it in the oven to heat through and melt the cheese.

ingredients for keto hamburger helper

ground beef and cream cheese in cast iron pan

adding cheese to keto hamburger helper

keto hamburger helper

keto hamburger helper


Print

Keto Hamburger Helper

yield: 6 SERVINGS

prep time: 5 MINUTES

cook time: 30 MINUTES

total time: 35 MINUTES

A deliciously easy & cheesy keto-friendly version of the classic Hamburger Helper dinner!

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon keto-friendly oil
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon granular keto sweetener
  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 4 oz. cream cheese
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 4 cups zucchini, cubed
  • 2 cups Monterey jack cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions

1

In a large oven-safe skillet, such as a cast-iron skillet, sauté onions, and minced garlic in a tablespoon of keto oil. Add in ground beef, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and granular sweetener. Brown over medium heat. Drain all of the grease from the skillet once the beef is cooked.

2

Add in beef broth, tomato paste, and cream cheese. Stir over low heat until cream cheese has melted.

3

Add in heavy cream, cubed zucchini, and two cups of Monterey Jack cheese.

4

Stir for 5-10 minutes on low until zucchini is tender.

5

Turn oven to low broil, and add one cup of shredded cheddar cheese to the top of the hamburger helper. Place in oven under broil just until cheese has melted.

6

Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition Information

Yield: 7, Serving Size: 1 cup
Amount Per Serving: 573.9 Calories | 38.4g Fat | 8.0g Total Carbs | 1.0g Fiber | .5g Sugar Alcohol | 49.1g Protein | 6.5g Net Carbs

Brought to you by Hip2Keto.

bowl of keto hamburger helper

Low carb and loving it!

Just one bite of this easy cheesy keto Hamburger Helper will take you back to your childhood! It truly is keto comfort food at its finest!

PS – Add a little hot sauce if you want some spice to it, it’s a fun addition that really kicks up the flavor.

plate of keto hamburger helper

My Hip sidekick Jenna tried out this recipe and here’s what she thought:

“Now, this is a delicious and very hearty meal! It’s easy to make like a traditional Hamburger Helper and the whole family loved it! I am a huge fan of one-pan meals and this is perfect when you’re running short on time. I made it in my cast iron skillet and it was a home run, I can’t wait to make it again!” – Jenna, Hip2Save recipe tester


Feeling cheesy? Make this cheese-stuffed Italian sausage!


About the writer:

Ashley Mott is a keto recipe developer and has over 2 years of experience as a content creator. She studied design and historic preservation. She has always loved testing new and innovative recipes.


Join The Discussion

Comments 26

  1. Maricela Flor

    My family and i are new to keto finding dishes my kids all love are difficult going to try this one out tonight excited hope its one for the books

    • ketobeck

      Made a version of this! So yummy!!

    • Anthony Metcalfe

      Log onto DietDoctor.com and you’ll find some great dishes that are easy to make!

  2. Danisims

    This was so good. Even my kids, who dislike nearly everything, ate it.

    • Amber (Hip Sidekick)

      Yay! Thanks for letting us know it was a hit!

  3. Amy

    I have sort of a weird aversion to zucchini. Is there another mild tasting vegetable that would work? Would yellow squash be good?

    • Jennifer (Hip Sidekick)

      YES! Yellow squash is a good sub for the zucchini. I do it a lot in my home.

      • Amy

        Yay! Thank you!

  4. Steve

    Just curious as to the big hitter on carbs so I can cut it down. I want to think it’s the onion but not positive. I try to keep a 2 cup portion under 10 net carbs so looking for options. But it sounds like something to build on for sure

    • Amber (Hip Sidekick)

      Hi there! I did compare the items above. It does appear that the onion has more carbs than the other ingredients. Hope this helps!

  5. Angela Withrow

    This was really good and super easy!

    • Amber (Hip Sidekick)

      Awesome! SO happy to hear that, Angela! Thanks for letting us know you enjoyed it!

  6. dylanfam

    What’s an option besides zucchini or squash?

    • Amber (Hip Sidekick)

      Great question! You could also use broccoli, peppers, and/or mushrooms. Enjoy!

  7. julie Prince

    Wow! This was delicious!

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      Thanks for the feedback, Julie!

  8. Lisa

    That looks good! I like the addition of zucchini!

    • Amber (Hip Sidekick)

      Hope you love it if you decide to try it!

  9. Jacki Edwards

    Sounds good!

    • Amber (Hip Sidekick)

      Hope you enjoy it!

  10. Stephanie

    This was amazing although mine came out a bit watery how do I cut this back?

    • Jennifer (Hip Sidekick)

      You could cut back the beef broth by 1/2. Let me know if this helps!

  11. Danielle

    Do you have to use the sweetener does that affect it a lot

    • Jennifer (Hip Sidekick)

      You can leave it out, Danielle!

  12. Danisims

    I used to eat a lot of hamburger helper back in the day 😀, and this is far better. I love how easy it is to make. Thank you!

    • Jennifer (Hip Sidekick)

      We are so glad you think so!

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