Low Carb Sour Cream Beef Bake Recipe
A comforting low-carb casserole combining cauliflower rice, lean ground beef, and a creamy blend of sour cream and cottage cheese, topped with melted cheddar cheese. This baked dish offers a satisfying and flavorful meal perfect for those watching their carbohydrate intake.
- Author: Elias
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Carb
Cauliflower Rice Base
Beef Mixture
- 1.5 lb lean ground beef
- 15 oz can tomato sauce (no sugar added)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
Creamy Mixture
- 1/2 cup sour cream (full fat)
- 1 1/4 cups cottage cheese (full fat)
- 1/2 cup sliced green onions
Topping
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Prepare Cauliflower Rice: Place the 12 oz of cauliflower rice into a 2.5-quart baking dish and microwave it for 4-5 minutes until tender but not mushy. After microwaving, set it aside in the same casserole dish. To prevent excess moisture, drain any water released from the cauliflower rice before mixing.
- Cook Ground Beef: In a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat, cook 1.5 lb of lean ground beef until browned and fully cooked, about 7-10 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary. Stir in a 15 oz can of tomato sauce (sugar-free), 1 tsp salt, and 1 tsp ground black pepper to season the beef mixture.
- Mix Creamy Ingredients: In a separate mixing bowl, combine 1 1/4 cups full-fat cottage cheese and 1/2 cup full-fat sour cream. Stir in 1/2 cup sliced green onions until evenly incorporated.
- Combine Cauliflower and Cream Mixture: Pour the creamy cottage cheese mixture into the cauliflower rice in the casserole dish. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Layer Beef and Cheese: Spoon half of the beef mixture over the cauliflower and cream mixture in the dish. Use the back of a spoon to spread it evenly. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese on top.
- Repeat Layering: Add the remaining beef mixture over the first layer, spreading evenly. Top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese to create a cheesy crust.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
- To avoid a watery casserole, drain excess liquid from the cauliflower rice after microwaving by pressing it gently with paper towels or a clean kitchen cloth.
- Using full-fat sour cream and cottage cheese provides a richer flavor and better texture for this bake.
- You can shred your own cheddar cheese for optimal melt and freshness, but pre-shredded cheese works as well.
- This dish can be customized with additional herbs or spices like garlic powder or paprika for extra flavor.
Keywords: low carb beef casserole, sour cream beef bake, cauliflower rice bake, gluten free casserole, easy beef bake, keto-friendly dinner