🥬 Keto Cheesy Ground Beef & Cabbage Skillet
This Keto Cheesy Ground Beef & Cabbage Skillet is a comforting, hearty, and easy one-pan dinner made with seasoned ground beef, tender cabbage, carrots, and plenty of melted cheddar cheese. It comes together quickly and is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something filling without a lot of dishes.
The combination of savory beef, sweet carrots, soft cabbage, and creamy melted cheese makes every bite delicious. You can also easily customize it with your favorite low-carb vegetables and spices.
🛒 Ingredients
For the skillet:
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 tbsp butter or olive oil
- ½ medium onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ medium head green cabbage, chopped
- 2 medium carrots, thinly sliced
- ¾ cup beef broth
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt, or to taste
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Optional additions:
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- 1–2 tbsp heavy cream
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- Hot sauce for serving
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Brown the beef
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the butter.
Add the ground beef and cook for about 5–7 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Continue until the beef is nicely browned and no longer pink.
If there is a lot of excess grease, carefully drain some of it before continuing.
2. Add the aromatics
Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet.
Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes soft and the garlic is fragrant.
For extra flavor, you can add a splash of Worcestershire sauce at this stage.
3. Add the vegetables
Stir in the chopped cabbage and sliced carrots.
Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage begins to soften and slightly caramelize.
Don’t worry if the skillet looks very full at first—the cabbage will shrink considerably as it cooks.
4. Season and simmer
Pour in the beef broth and sprinkle in the paprika, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
Stir everything together, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
The broth will help soften the cabbage while keeping the beef and vegetables moist and flavorful.
5. Make it cheesy 🧀
Reduce the heat to low.
Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Cover the skillet again and cook for 2–3 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and gooey.
For an extra cheesy crust, you can place the skillet under the broiler for 1–2 minutes if your skillet is oven-safe.
6. Serve
Remove from the heat and let the skillet rest for a couple of minutes.
Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, red pepper flakes, or a drizzle of hot sauce if desired.
Serve warm and enjoy!
🥑 Keto Tips
- Skip the carrots or use only a small amount if you’re trying to reduce carbohydrates further.
- Use full-fat cheddar cheese for more flavor and a richer texture.
- Add heavy cream during the simmering stage for a creamy version.
- For extra protein, increase the ground beef to 1¼–1½ lbs.
- Add mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach for more vegetables while keeping the dish low-carb.
- For more heat, add chili flakes, cayenne pepper, or your favorite hot sauce.
🔄 Easy Variations
Creamy Cheeseburger Skillet:
Add 2–3 tablespoons of cream cheese and ¼ cup heavy cream before adding the cheddar.
Spicy Beef & Cabbage:
Add red pepper flakes, diced jalapeño, and a little hot sauce.
Bacon Cheeseburger Version:
Cook 3–4 slices of chopped bacon before browning the beef, then use the bacon fat to cook the vegetables.
Extra Veggie Version:
Add sliced mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach for additional flavor and texture.
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
To reheat, warm individual portions in the microwave or gently heat them in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a small splash of beef broth if the mixture seems dry.
The skillet can also be frozen in individual portions for up to 2–3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
📊 Approximate Keto Macros
Per serving, assuming 4 servings:
- Calories: ~320
- Fat: ~24 g
- Protein: ~20 g
- Net Carbs: ~5–6 g
Nutrition values are estimates and can vary depending on the ground beef, cheese, broth, and exact amount of vegetables used.
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔ One-pan meal
✔ Ready in about 30 minutes
✔ High in protein
✔ Cheesy and satisfying
✔ Easy to customize
✔ Great for meal prep
✔ Keto-friendly with simple adjustments