Craving something big, cheesy, and utterly comforting while sticking to keto? Meet your new favorite: the Cheesy Keto Hamburger Broccoli Skillet. This one-pan wonder blends savory browned ground beef, tender broccoli, and a luscious cheddar cheese blanket to deliver low-carb comfort food without the carb overload. Ready in under 30 minutes with minimal dishes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want keto to feel effortless.
Why does this recipe nail keto? It’s low in carbs—no pasta or rice in sight, packed with protein and healthy fats from ground beef and cheese, plus fiber-rich broccoli for balance. It’s quick, realistic, and exactly what you need when you’re juggling a hectic schedule.
Why This Skillet Works (and What Makes It Keto)
Key to success: choose 80/20 ground beef for juicy, flavorful richness; broccoli adds a pleasant crunch and keeps carbs low; sharp cheddar cheese brings bold, melty goodness; and a splash of heavy cream creates a silky sauce that ties it all together.
Flavor, Texture, and Tips for Best Results
The contrasts in texture and flavor—the browned beef, crisp-tender broccoli, and creamy cheese sauce—make this skillet as satisfying as any classic comfort dish, without leaving you sluggish. For best results, brown the beef thoroughly for deep flavor, season generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and optional smoked paprika, steam broccoli briefly to keep it vibrant, and add cheese off the heat to maintain a smooth sauce.
Meal Prep, Storage, and Easy Variations
This skillet is a meal-prep star: store leftovers in the fridge up to 3 days and reheat gently with a splash of cream to revive the sauce. While freezing isn’t recommended due to texture changes in the cheese sauce, it’s ideal for quick lunches and fuss-free dinners.
How to Serve It
Serve it solo or pair with zucchini or cauliflower for variety.
Switch It Up
Add a spicy kick with jalapeños or hot sauce, or switch up the cheese—try Gouda or Monterey Jack for different melt profiles.
Quick Cooking Overview
Ready to whip it up? Brown beef, season, steam broccoli in the skillet, stir in cream, melt cheese, and enjoy a keto meal that’s as simple as it is delicious. This Cheesy Keto Hamburger Broccoli Skillet makes low-carb living feel surprisingly easy and incredibly tasty.
Cheesy Keto Hamburger Broccoli Skillet
Equipment
- large skillet
- Cutting board
- Chef’s knife
- Wooden Spoon
- measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
For the skillet
- 1 pound 80/20 ground beef
- 2 tablespoons butter or avocado oil
- 3 cups broccoli florets cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/4 cup yellow onion finely diced, optional for flavor
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika optional, for a smoky flavor
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, for heat
For the creamy cheese sauce
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup chicken broth preferably low sodium
- 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese freshly shredded
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese adds richness and helps thicken
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese softened, full fat
For finishing
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese for topping, optional
Instructions
- Place a large skillet over medium heat and add the butter, allowing it to melt and coat the bottom of the pan.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until it is browned and no longer pink, about 6 to 8 minutes.
- Stir in the diced onion and minced garlic and sauté until the onion softens and becomes translucent, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Season the beef mixture with the sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes, stirring well so the spices coat the meat evenly.
- Add the broccoli florets to the skillet and toss them with the seasoned beef so they are well distributed throughout the pan.
- Pour the chicken broth into the skillet, cover with a lid, and let the broccoli steam until crisp-tender, about 4 to 5 minutes, removing the lid once most of the liquid has reduced.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir in the heavy cream and cream cheese, cooking gently until the cream cheese melts and the sauce begins to look smooth and slightly thickened.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and grated Parmesan over the skillet and stir slowly until all the cheese is melted and the sauce is thick, creamy, and clinging to the beef and broccoli.
- Taste the skillet and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed, keeping the heat low so the sauce stays smooth and does not separate.
- If using, scatter the remaining shredded cheddar evenly over the top of the skillet, cover for 1 to 2 minutes to allow it to melt into a gooey layer.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and finish with a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley before serving hot directly from the pan.
Notes
Nutrition
