Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

  • Why You Need My Keto Taco Casserole Recipe
  • Ingredients & Substitutions
  • How To Make Keto Taco Casserole In A Crock Pot
  • How To Make Keto Taco Casserole In The Oven
  • Topping Ideas
  • More Low Carb Crock Pot Recipes
  • Keto Taco Casserole (Crock Pot Or Oven) Recipe card
  • Recipe Reviews

If you need a weeknight meal when you’re short on time but still want something healthy and tasty, toss your taco shells and make low carb keto taco casserole ! It’s a little bit like slow cooker keto chili , but with zesty taco flavor infused in every bite. And since it’s a Crock Pot taco casserole, the slow cooker does all the work — but I have an option for the oven below if you prefer to make it last-minute.

If you like quick and easy casseroles as much as I do, don’t forget to try my easy Big Mac casserole or Philly cheesesteak casserole next!

Why You Need My Keto Taco Casserole Recipe

Maya in the kitchen. - 1
  • Zesty taco taste
  • Rich, filling, and hearty
  • Fresh, light, and flavorful toppings
  • Options to make it in the Crock Pot or oven
  • Gluten-free, low carb, and keto diet friendly
  • 4g net carbs per serving
  • Totally customizable!
Maya's signature. - 2 Crock Pot taco casserole. - 3

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my low carb taco casserole recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

  • Avocado Oil – For frying ground beef. Use any neutral cooking oil you like.
  • Ground Beef – I typically use 85/15 grass-fed ground beef, but any kind will do. If you’re not a fan of ground beef, you can easily substitute with ground turkey, ground chicken, or even Mexican chorizo .
  • Taco Seasoning – Can’t have a keto taco casserole without the taco meat, and that means taco seasoning! I make my own taco seasoning blend , but you could use store bought mixes as well. Note that my seasoning contains salt, but if yours does not, add 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons of salt.
  • Bell Peppers – Use orange, yellow, or red bell peppers for color variety.
  • Onion – I used a yellow onion, but white or red onions work as well.
  • Diced Tomatoes With Green Chilies – Chilies add a bit of heat. If you prefer a more mild keto Mexican casserole, replace one or both cans with plain diced tomatoes instead. Just watch the size — the ones with chiles are 10 ounces each but the ones without are usually 14.5 ounces, and you want 20 ounces total for the recipe regardless of whether you use the ones with or without the chiles.
  • Cheddar Cheese – Use a good melting cheese for the perfect finish. You could substitute with Mexican cheese blend, mozzarella, Colby jack, or Monterey jack if you prefer.
Ingredients for crockpot taco casserole.  - 4

How To Make Keto Taco Casserole In A Crock Pot

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

  1. Brown the meat. In a large saute pan or large skillet, heat avocado oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef. Cook, breaking apart with a spatula, until browned. Add the water and taco seasoning. Bring to a boil, then simmer until it thickens and taco meat forms.
  2. Assemble the casserole. Add the ground beef mixture to a slow cooker , along with the diced peppers, onions, and drained diced tomatoes with green chilies. Mix well.
Browning ground beef in skillet on stovetop. - 5 Ground beef mixture transferred to crockpot with peppers, onions, and tomatoes. - 6 TIP: Drain tomatoes and chilies well.  - 7

TIP: Drain tomatoes and chilies well.

Otherwise, the casserole may be watery when it’s done cooking. If that happens, you can just use a large serving spoon or ladle to remove extra liquid before adding the cheese.

  1. Slow cook. Cover with the lid and cook on Low.
  2. Melt cheese. Set the slow cooker to High and sprinkle shredded cheese on top. Cover and cook until cheese melts.
Slow cooker with taco meat and peppers mixed together. - 8 Melted cheese on top of casserole in slow cooker.  - 9
  1. Add toppings. Top the low carb taco casserole with lettuce, tomatoes, avocados and cilantro — or see below for other topping ideas.
Keto taco casserole in crock pot with toppings. - 10

How To Make Keto Taco Casserole In The Oven

  1. Brown the meat. In a large saute pan or large skillet, heat avocado oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef. Cook, breaking apart with a spatula, until browned. Add the water and taco seasoning. Bring to a boil, then simmer until it thickens and taco meat forms.
  2. Assemble the casserole. Add the ground beef mixture a large baking dish, along with the diced peppers, onions, and drained diced tomatoes with green chilies. Mix well, then sprinkle shredded cheese on top.
  3. Bake. Place the keto taco casserole in the oven and bake until it’s hot and bubbly. The peppers should be soft.
  4. Add toppings. Top with lettuce, tomatoes, avocados and cilantro, if desired — or see below for other topping ideas.

You could also try my Mexican ground beef casserole instead, which is very similar and made in the oven.

Keto taco casserole in a bowl next to the crock pot. - 11

Topping Ideas

What is the best part about low carb taco casserole? The toppings, of course! Here are some of my faves:

  • Classic Taco Toppings – I used shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, diced avocados, and fresh cilantro. You can also try black olives, green onions, sour cream (perfect if you need to mellow out the heat!), or a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
  • Mexican Sauces – Try this easy keto taco casserole recipe with avocado salsa verde , homemade tomato salsa , or guacamole scooped on top.
  • Keto Tortilla Chips – Adds tons of crunch to your bowl, without tortillas or taco shells.
  • Drinks – Not a topping, but a perfect pairing! Serve up your casserole with a skinny margarita or skinny pina colada on the side for the ultimate Mexican night.

More Low Carb Crock Pot Recipes

Set and forget these keto slow cooker dinners!

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

Taco Casserole:

  • 1 tbsp Avocado oil ▢
  • 2 lb Ground beef ▢
  • 3/4 cup Water ▢
  • 1/4 cup Taco seasoning ▢
  • 2 large Bell peppers (diced; use orange or yellow for color variety) ▢
  • 1/4 large Onion (diced) ▢
  • 2 10-oz cans Diced tomatoes with green chilies (drained very well – push down when draining; see note on less spicy alternative*) ▢
  • 1 cup Cheddar cheese ▢

Optional Toppings:

  • Iceberg lettuce (shredded) ▢
  • Fresh tomatoes (diced) ▢
  • Avocados (cubed) ▢
  • Fresh cilantro (chopped) ▢
  • Sour cream ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

Crock Pot Instructions:

  1. In a large saute pan , heat avocado oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef. Cook, breaking apart with a spatula, for 8-10 minutes , until browned.
  2. Add the water and taco seasoning. Bring to a boil, then simmer for a 2-5 minutes , until it thickens and taco meat forms.
  3. Transfer the beef to the Crock Pot . Add the diced peppers, onions, and drained diced tomatoes with green chiles. Mix everything together.
  4. Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook for 4 hours on Low or 2-3 hours on High.
  5. Right before serving, stir the casserole. (You can spoon out any excess liquid that may have accumulated, but there shouldn’t be much if you drained the tomatoes well.) Set the Crock Pot to High and sprinkle shredded cheese on top. Cover and cook for about 5 minutes , until the cheese melts.
  6. Top the casserole with any toppings you like, such as lettuce, tomatoes, avocados and/or cilantro.

Oven Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  2. In a large saute pan , heat avocado oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef. Cook, breaking apart with a spatula, for 8-10 minutes , until browned.
  3. Add the water and taco seasoning. Bring to a boil, then simmer for a 2-5 minutes , until it thickens and taco meat forms.
  4. Transfer the beef to a large baking dish. Add the diced peppers, onions, and drained diced tomatoes with green chiles. Mix everything together. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top.
  5. Bake keto taco casserole for 20-30 minutes , until hot and bubbly. The peppers should be soft.
  6. Remove from the oven and top the casserole with any toppings you like, such as lettuce, tomatoes, avocados and/or cilantro.

Did You Like It?

Leave a rating to help other readers (this also helps me continue to provide free recipes on my site), or get the recipe sent to your inbox.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 1/2 cups, or 1/6 entire recipe

  • Store: Let the casserole cool, then keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
  • Meal prep: Brown the beef ahead of time, keep it warm in the Crock Pot for up to 4 hours, or store the whole casserole in the fridge for up to 5 days.
  • Reheat: Warm in the slow cooker, microwave, or bake at 350 degrees F. If transferring to a new dish, add extra cheese on top before reheating!
  • Freeze: Freeze without toppings for up to 6 months. Thaw overnight, reheat, and add fresh toppings before serving.
  • Less spicy alternative: Substitute regular diced tomatoes for one or both cans of the diced tomatoes with green chilies. You could use fire-roasted tomatoes for more flavor without the heat.
  • Note on nutrition info: It does not include optional toppings, since what you add (and how much), will vary.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Crock Pot Keto Taco Casserole

Keto taco casserole recipe pin. - 12

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

  • Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
  • The Basic Keto Meal Formula
  • Understanding Macros
  • Keto Food Swaps
  • Keto Food List
  • Electrolyte Basics
  • Keto Diet Types
  • Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
  • Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Keto Cheat Sheet System - printable pdf's and ebooks - 13

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

  1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
  2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
  3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
  4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
  5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
  6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
  7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
  8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
  9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)

The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Pick A ProteinPick A VeggieAdd Fat
Beef Chicken Pork Eggs Lamb Turkey Fish Shellfish Protein powder VenisonCauliflower Broccoli Zucchini Leafy Greens Cucumbers Brussels Sprouts Cabbage Asparagus Radishes Bell Peppers Jicama CeleryButter Avocado Oil Cheese Bacon Avocado Lard Ghee Mayo Nuts MCT Oil

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Instead Of This…Eat This
PancakesAlmond flour pancakes or coconut flour pancakes
OatmealKeto oatmeal with hemp seeds
Cinnamon rollsFathead cinnamon rolls
CerealKeto nut granola
MuffinsAlmond flour muffins or coconut flour muffins
DonutsAlmond flour donuts
SconesAlmond flour scones
High-sugar smoothiesSmoothie with berries or avocado
Hash brownsCauliflower hash browns
Breakfast casseroleBreakfast casserole with no potatoes
Egg whitesWhole eggs
Turkey baconBacon
WafflesChaffles
Keto food swaps - breakfast - 14

Keto Swaps For Bread

Instead Of This…Eat This
BagelsFathead bagels
English muffinAlmond flour English muffin
White breadKeto white bread
Multigrain breadCoconut flour bread with seeds
Tortillas for wrapsCoconut flour tortillas
Corn taco shellsCheddar cheese taco shells
Burger bunsOopsie rolls , portobello mushroom caps
BreadsticksCauliflower breadsticks
BiscuitsAlmond flour biscuits
CornbreadAlmond flour cornbread
CroutonsParmesan crisps
RiceCauliflower rice , konjac rice
Keto food swaps - bread and grains - 15

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Instead Of This…Eat This
Breaded wingsCrispy air fryer wings (unbreaded)
Low-fat meat & poultryHigh-fat cuts, or cook low-fat cuts with fat
Mashed potatoesMashed cauliflower
Roasted potatoesRoasted or fried radishes
TacosTaco salad
PizzaFathead crust , chicken crust , or cauliflower crust pizza
LasagnaEggplant lasagna
Potato saladCauliflower “potato” salad
French friesJicama , rutabaga , or zucchini fries
Tater totsCauliflower tots
WrapsLettuce wraps , almond flour tortillas
SushiNaruto-style or homemade rice-free sushi
Breaded chicken or fishBreaded cuts with almond flour or pork rinds
SpaghettiZoodles , spaghetti squash , shirataki noodles, kelp noodles
Keto food swaps - meals and sides - 16

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Instead Of This…Eat This
NachosCheese crisps
High-sugar fruitBerries & other keto fruits
CrackersAlmond flour crackers
HummusCauliflower hummus
Soft pretzelsFathead pretzels
PopcornPuffed cheese
Granola barsGrain-free granola bars
JamSugar-free berry chia jam
Sweet fruity yogurtFull-fat plain Greek yogurt with berries
Sweet salad dressingRanch , blue cheese , or plain vinaigrette
KetchupMustard and/or sugar-free ketchup
BBQ sauceSugar-free BBQ sauce
Sweetened peanut butterNatural, sugar-free nut butters
Light mayoAvocado oil mayo
Maple syrupSugar-free, maple flavored syrup
Potato chipsZucchini chips , pepperoni chips , pork rinds
Keto food swaps - snacks and sauces - 17

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Instead Of This…Eat This
SugarMonk fruit or allulose
Powdered sugarPowdered monk fruit or allulose
White flourAlmond or Coconut flour (use in tested recipes)
Making baked goods soft/chewyXanthan gum, flax seed meal, psyllium husk powder
BreadcrumbsPork rinds or almond flour
MargarineButter, coconut oil, or ghee
Vegetable oilOlive or avocado oil
BananasBanana extract
Chocolate chipsSugar-free chocolate chips
Cornstarch or flour rouxXanthan gum or gelatin powder (used at the end)
Simple syrupDissolve monk fruit allulose blend in water over heat
Keto food swaps - baking and cooking - 18

Keto Swaps For Drinks

Instead Of This…Eat This
LemonadeWater with lemon
SodaFlavored sparkling water
MilkAlmond milk, coconut milk, heavy cream
LatteButter coffee
Coffee creamerHeavy cream
Sweet wineDry wine
BeerUltra light beer
Mixed drinksHard liquor with soda + lemon

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto food swaps - drinks - 19

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Keto foods to eat and avoid summary - 20

Foods To Eat On Keto

  • Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
  • Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
  • Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
  • Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
  • Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
  • Avocados
  • Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
  • Almond flour and coconut flour
  • Eggs
  • Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

  • White flour & sugar
  • Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
  • Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
  • Cereal
  • Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
  • Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
  • Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
  • Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
  • Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
  • Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Keto Cheat Sheet System - printable pdf's and ebooks - 21

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

SodiumMagnesiumPotassium
Bone broth Boullion cubes Bacon Salted nuts PicklesSeaweed Seeds Nuts Avocado Leafy greensPotassium chloride Avocado Bone broth Spinach Broccoli Mushrooms Beef Pork

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

  • Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
  • Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
  • Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
  • Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

  1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
  2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
  3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
  4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
  5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
  6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
  7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
  8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
  9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.
Keto Cheat Sheet System - printable pdf's and ebooks - 22

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Keto Taco Casserole (Crock Pot Or Oven)

Slow cooker taco casserole in crockpot. - 23

Low carb keto taco casserole is loaded with hearty taco meat, tender veggies, melty cheese & fresh toppings. Make it in the Crock Pot or oven!

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/crock-pot-keto-taco-casserole-recipe/

Keto Taco Casserole (Crock Pot Or Oven) - 24 Keto Taco Casserole (Crock Pot Or Oven) - 25 Keto Taco Casserole (Crock Pot Or Oven) - 26 Keto Taco Casserole (Crock Pot Or Oven) - 27

Ingredients

Taco Casserole:

  • 1 tbsp Avocado oil
  • 2 lb Ground beef
  • 3/4 cup Water
  • 1/4 cup Taco seasoning
  • 2 large Bell peppers (diced; use orange or yellow for color variety)
  • 1/4 large Onion (diced)
  • 2 10-oz cans Diced tomatoes with green chilies (drained very well - push down when draining; see note on less spicy alternative*)
  • 1 cup Cheddar cheese

Optional Toppings:

  • Iceberg lettuce (shredded)
  • Fresh tomatoes (diced)
  • Avocados (cubed)
  • Fresh cilantro (chopped)
  • Sour cream

Instructions

Crock Pot Instructions:

  1. In a large saute pan , heat avocado oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef. Cook, breaking apart with a spatula, for 8-10 minutes , until browned.
  2. Add the water and taco seasoning. Bring to a boil, then simmer for a 2-5 minutes , until it thickens and taco meat forms.
  3. Transfer the beef to the Crock Pot . Add the diced peppers, onions, and drained diced tomatoes with green chiles. Mix everything together.
  4. Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook for 4 hours on Low or 2-3 hours on High.
  5. Right before serving, stir the casserole. (You can spoon out any excess liquid that may have accumulated, but there shouldn’t be much if you drained the tomatoes well.) Set the Crock Pot to High and sprinkle shredded cheese on top. Cover and cook for about 5 minutes , until the cheese melts.
  6. Top the casserole with any toppings you like, such as lettuce, tomatoes, avocados and/or cilantro.

Oven Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  2. In a large saute pan , heat avocado oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef. Cook, breaking apart with a spatula, for 8-10 minutes , until browned.
  3. Add the water and taco seasoning. Bring to a boil, then simmer for a 2-5 minutes , until it thickens and taco meat forms.
  4. Transfer the beef to a large baking dish. Add the diced peppers, onions, and drained diced tomatoes with green chiles. Mix everything together. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top.
  5. Bake keto taco casserole for 20-30 minutes , until hot and bubbly. The peppers should be soft.
  6. Remove from the oven and top the casserole with any toppings you like, such as lettuce, tomatoes, avocados and/or cilantro.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 1/2 cups, or 1/6 entire recipe

  • Store: Let the casserole cool, then keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
  • Meal prep: Brown the beef ahead of time, keep it warm in the Crock Pot for up to 4 hours, or store the whole casserole in the fridge for up to 5 days.
  • Reheat: Warm in the slow cooker, microwave, or bake at 350 degrees F. If transferring to a new dish, add extra cheese on top before reheating!
  • Freeze: Freeze without toppings for up to 6 months. Thaw overnight, reheat, and add fresh toppings before serving.
  • Less spicy alternative: Substitute regular diced tomatoes for one or both cans of the diced tomatoes with green chilies. You could use fire-roasted tomatoes for more flavor without the heat.
  • Note on nutrition info: It does not include optional toppings, since what you add (and how much), will vary.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

  • Why You Need My Keto Taco Casserole Recipe
  • Ingredients & Substitutions
  • How To Make Keto Taco Casserole In A Crock Pot
  • How To Make Keto Taco Casserole In The Oven
  • Topping Ideas
  • More Low Carb Crock Pot Recipes
  • Keto Taco Casserole (Crock Pot Or Oven) Recipe card
  • Recipe Reviews

If you need a weeknight meal when you’re short on time but still want something healthy and tasty, toss your taco shells and make low carb keto taco casserole ! It’s a little bit like slow cooker keto chili , but with zesty taco flavor infused in every bite. And since it’s a Crock Pot taco casserole, the slow cooker does all the work — but I have an option for the oven below if you prefer to make it last-minute.

If you like quick and easy casseroles as much as I do, don’t forget to try my easy Big Mac casserole or Philly cheesesteak casserole next!

Why You Need My Keto Taco Casserole Recipe

Maya in the kitchen. - 28
  • Zesty taco taste
  • Rich, filling, and hearty
  • Fresh, light, and flavorful toppings
  • Options to make it in the Crock Pot or oven
  • Gluten-free, low carb, and keto diet friendly
  • 4g net carbs per serving
  • Totally customizable!
Maya's signature. - 29 Crock Pot taco casserole. - 30

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my low carb taco casserole recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

  • Avocado Oil – For frying ground beef. Use any neutral cooking oil you like.
  • Ground Beef – I typically use 85/15 grass-fed ground beef, but any kind will do. If you’re not a fan of ground beef, you can easily substitute with ground turkey, ground chicken, or even Mexican chorizo .
  • Taco Seasoning – Can’t have a keto taco casserole without the taco meat, and that means taco seasoning! I make my own taco seasoning blend , but you could use store bought mixes as well. Note that my seasoning contains salt, but if yours does not, add 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons of salt.
  • Bell Peppers – Use orange, yellow, or red bell peppers for color variety.
  • Onion – I used a yellow onion, but white or red onions work as well.
  • Diced Tomatoes With Green Chilies – Chilies add a bit of heat. If you prefer a more mild keto Mexican casserole, replace one or both cans with plain diced tomatoes instead. Just watch the size — the ones with chiles are 10 ounces each but the ones without are usually 14.5 ounces, and you want 20 ounces total for the recipe regardless of whether you use the ones with or without the chiles.
  • Cheddar Cheese – Use a good melting cheese for the perfect finish. You could substitute with Mexican cheese blend, mozzarella, Colby jack, or Monterey jack if you prefer.
Ingredients for crockpot taco casserole.  - 31

How To Make Keto Taco Casserole In A Crock Pot

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

  1. Brown the meat. In a large saute pan or large skillet, heat avocado oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef. Cook, breaking apart with a spatula, until browned. Add the water and taco seasoning. Bring to a boil, then simmer until it thickens and taco meat forms.
  2. Assemble the casserole. Add the ground beef mixture to a slow cooker , along with the diced peppers, onions, and drained diced tomatoes with green chilies. Mix well.
Browning ground beef in skillet on stovetop. - 32 Ground beef mixture transferred to crockpot with peppers, onions, and tomatoes. - 33 TIP: Drain tomatoes and chilies well.  - 34

TIP: Drain tomatoes and chilies well.

Otherwise, the casserole may be watery when it’s done cooking. If that happens, you can just use a large serving spoon or ladle to remove extra liquid before adding the cheese.

  1. Slow cook. Cover with the lid and cook on Low.
  2. Melt cheese. Set the slow cooker to High and sprinkle shredded cheese on top. Cover and cook until cheese melts.
Slow cooker with taco meat and peppers mixed together. - 35 Melted cheese on top of casserole in slow cooker.  - 36
  1. Add toppings. Top the low carb taco casserole with lettuce, tomatoes, avocados and cilantro — or see below for other topping ideas.
Keto taco casserole in crock pot with toppings. - 37

How To Make Keto Taco Casserole In The Oven

  1. Brown the meat. In a large saute pan or large skillet, heat avocado oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef. Cook, breaking apart with a spatula, until browned. Add the water and taco seasoning. Bring to a boil, then simmer until it thickens and taco meat forms.
  2. Assemble the casserole. Add the ground beef mixture a large baking dish, along with the diced peppers, onions, and drained diced tomatoes with green chilies. Mix well, then sprinkle shredded cheese on top.
  3. Bake. Place the keto taco casserole in the oven and bake until it’s hot and bubbly. The peppers should be soft.
  4. Add toppings. Top with lettuce, tomatoes, avocados and cilantro, if desired — or see below for other topping ideas.

You could also try my Mexican ground beef casserole instead, which is very similar and made in the oven.

Keto taco casserole in a bowl next to the crock pot. - 38

Topping Ideas

What is the best part about low carb taco casserole? The toppings, of course! Here are some of my faves:

  • Classic Taco Toppings – I used shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, diced avocados, and fresh cilantro. You can also try black olives, green onions, sour cream (perfect if you need to mellow out the heat!), or a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
  • Mexican Sauces – Try this easy keto taco casserole recipe with avocado salsa verde , homemade tomato salsa , or guacamole scooped on top.
  • Keto Tortilla Chips – Adds tons of crunch to your bowl, without tortillas or taco shells.
  • Drinks – Not a topping, but a perfect pairing! Serve up your casserole with a skinny margarita or skinny pina colada on the side for the ultimate Mexican night.

More Low Carb Crock Pot Recipes

Set and forget these keto slow cooker dinners!

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

Taco Casserole:

  • 1 tbsp Avocado oil ▢
  • 2 lb Ground beef ▢
  • 3/4 cup Water ▢
  • 1/4 cup Taco seasoning ▢
  • 2 large Bell peppers (diced; use orange or yellow for color variety) ▢
  • 1/4 large Onion (diced) ▢
  • 2 10-oz cans Diced tomatoes with green chilies (drained very well – push down when draining; see note on less spicy alternative*) ▢
  • 1 cup Cheddar cheese ▢

Optional Toppings:

  • Iceberg lettuce (shredded) ▢
  • Fresh tomatoes (diced) ▢
  • Avocados (cubed) ▢
  • Fresh cilantro (chopped) ▢
  • Sour cream ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

Crock Pot Instructions:

  1. In a large saute pan , heat avocado oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef. Cook, breaking apart with a spatula, for 8-10 minutes , until browned.
  2. Add the water and taco seasoning. Bring to a boil, then simmer for a 2-5 minutes , until it thickens and taco meat forms.
  3. Transfer the beef to the Crock Pot . Add the diced peppers, onions, and drained diced tomatoes with green chiles. Mix everything together.
  4. Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook for 4 hours on Low or 2-3 hours on High.
  5. Right before serving, stir the casserole. (You can spoon out any excess liquid that may have accumulated, but there shouldn’t be much if you drained the tomatoes well.) Set the Crock Pot to High and sprinkle shredded cheese on top. Cover and cook for about 5 minutes , until the cheese melts.
  6. Top the casserole with any toppings you like, such as lettuce, tomatoes, avocados and/or cilantro.

Oven Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  2. In a large saute pan , heat avocado oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef. Cook, breaking apart with a spatula, for 8-10 minutes , until browned.
  3. Add the water and taco seasoning. Bring to a boil, then simmer for a 2-5 minutes , until it thickens and taco meat forms.
  4. Transfer the beef to a large baking dish. Add the diced peppers, onions, and drained diced tomatoes with green chiles. Mix everything together. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top.
  5. Bake keto taco casserole for 20-30 minutes , until hot and bubbly. The peppers should be soft.
  6. Remove from the oven and top the casserole with any toppings you like, such as lettuce, tomatoes, avocados and/or cilantro.

Did You Like It?

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Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 1/2 cups, or 1/6 entire recipe

  • Store: Let the casserole cool, then keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
  • Meal prep: Brown the beef ahead of time, keep it warm in the Crock Pot for up to 4 hours, or store the whole casserole in the fridge for up to 5 days.
  • Reheat: Warm in the slow cooker, microwave, or bake at 350 degrees F. If transferring to a new dish, add extra cheese on top before reheating!
  • Freeze: Freeze without toppings for up to 6 months. Thaw overnight, reheat, and add fresh toppings before serving.
  • Less spicy alternative: Substitute regular diced tomatoes for one or both cans of the diced tomatoes with green chilies. You could use fire-roasted tomatoes for more flavor without the heat.
  • Note on nutrition info: It does not include optional toppings, since what you add (and how much), will vary.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Crock Pot Keto Taco Casserole

Keto taco casserole recipe pin. - 39