This casserole captures the classic cheesy and meaty flavors of spaghetti but replaces carb-heavy noodles with a keto-friendly base, like spaghetti squash or shirataki noodles, or simply layers of meat and cheese. It’s creamy, packed with ground beef, and loaded with cheese for a rich, satisfying bite. The golden top indicates a perfect cheese crust that gives a delightful contrast of crispy and gooey textures.

The casserole is layered with seasoned ground beef, a creamy cheese sauce, and shredded cheese. It’s great for meal prep since it reheats well and keeps its texture. You get all the comfort of Italian-style baked pasta dishes but with a fraction of the carbs, making it ideal for keto or low-carb diets.

Finally, this recipe is flexible. You can add veggies like mushrooms or spinach to boost nutrition, use different cheeses like mozzarella, cheddar, or Parmesan, and spice it up with herbs and spices like garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes.

Keto Cheesy Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef

• 1 small onion, diced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened

• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

• 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

• 1 cup cooked spaghetti squash or shirataki noodles (optional for extra “spaghetti” feel)

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• 1 tsp paprika

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish.

2. Cook the beef: In a skillet over medium heat, sauté onions and garlic until soft. Add ground beef, salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Cook until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat.

3. Make the cheese sauce: In a saucepan, heat heavy cream and cream cheese over low heat, stirring until smooth and creamy. Stir in 1 cup of cheddar cheese and ½ cup mozzarella until melted.

4. Combine layers: In the baking dish, spread half the cooked beef mixture on the bottom. Add a layer of cooked spaghetti squash or shirataki noodles if using. Pour half the cheese sauce over the top. Repeat layers with remaining beef and cheese sauce.

5. Top with cheese: Sprinkle remaining cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.

6. Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.

7. Serve: Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.