Description
This Carnivore Skillet Cheeseburger Casserole is a savory, creamy, and indulgent one-pan meal perfect for meat lovers. Ground beef, crispy bacon, and melted cheddar cheese are combined with cream cheese and heavy cream to create a rich sauce infused with mustard, ketchup, and spices. Finished under the broiler for a bubbly golden cheese crust, this dish is garnished with fresh parsley for a hint of brightness. Easy to prepare and packed with bold flavors, it’s an ideal comfort food dinner with minimal fuss.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Dairy
- 1 lb ground beef
- 4 strips of bacon, chopped
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1/4 cup cream cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon butter
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1/4 cup pickles, chopped
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Condiments and Spices
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Cook the Bacon: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the chopped bacon. Cook until crispy, then remove the bacon from the skillet and set it aside, leaving the bacon fat in the skillet.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add butter to the bacon fat in the skillet. Add diced onion and minced garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onion is translucent.
- Brown the Ground Beef: Increase heat to medium-high and add ground beef. Break it apart with a spatula and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
- Season the Beef: Sprinkle salt, black pepper, paprika, and cayenne pepper over the beef. Stir well to evenly distribute the spices.
- Add Condiments and Cream Cheese: Stir in mustard, ketchup, and cream cheese, mixing until the cream cheese melts and blends into the beef.
- Create Creamy Sauce: Pour in heavy cream and stir to combine. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Mix in Pickles and Cheese: Add chopped pickles and half of the shredded cheddar cheese to the skillet. Stir until the cheese melts and is fully incorporated.
- Broil with Toppings: Preheat the oven broiler to high. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese and cooked bacon evenly over the beef mixture in the skillet.
- Broil Until Golden: Place the skillet under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the skillet from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle and to prevent burns.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the casserole and serve hot straight from the skillet.
Notes
- You can substitute bacon with cooked sausage if preferred.
- Use full-fat cream cheese and heavy cream for the best creamy texture.
- Adjust cayenne pepper to taste for spiciness.
- If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, transfer the mixture to a baking dish before broiling.
- This casserole pairs well with a simple green salad to balance the richness.
