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Keto Ground Beef and Creamy Cheese Sauce Skillet – Comfort Food Made Simple

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • Ground beef (1 to 1.25 pounds, 80–85% lean)
  • Butter (2 tablespoons)
  • Olive oil (1 tablespoon)
  • Onion (1 small, finely chopped)
  • Garlic (3 cloves, minced)
  • Smoked paprika (1 teaspoon)
  • Ground cumin (1/2 teaspoon)
  • Crushed red pepper flakes (optional, 1/4 teaspoon)
  • Salt and black pepper (to taste)
  • Heavy cream (3/4 cup)
  • Beef broth (1/2 cup, low sodium)
  • Cream cheese (3 ounces, softened)
  • Shredded cheese (1.5 cups; cheddar, pepper jack, or a blend)
  • Mustard (1 teaspoon Dijon or yellow)
  • Worcestershire sauce (1 teaspoon; check for low sugar)
  • Baby spinach (2 cups, loosely packed) or zucchini (1 small, diced)
  • Fresh parsley or chives (2 tablespoons, chopped)
  • Optional toppings: sliced pickles, diced tomatoes, jalapeños, hot sauce

Method
 

  1. Prep the aromatics. Chop the onion and mince the garlic. Soften the cream cheese and shred your cheese so it melts smoothly.
  2. Brown the beef. Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add olive oil, then the ground beef. Break it up and cook until browned with crisp edges, about 6–8 minutes. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. Sauté onion and garlic. Push the beef to one side. Add butter to the empty space, then the onion. Cook 3 minutes until soft. Stir in garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Spice it up. Sprinkle in smoked paprika, cumin, and red pepper flakes. Stir to coat the beef and onion in the spices for 30–60 seconds. This builds flavor and color.
  5. Deglaze. Pour in beef broth and scrape up any browned bits. Simmer 1–2 minutes to reduce slightly.
  6. Make the cheese base. Lower heat to medium-low. Stir in cream cheese until melted and smooth. Add heavy cream, mustard, and Worcestershire. Simmer gently for 2–3 minutes until it starts to thicken.
  7. Melt in the cheese. Add shredded cheese by the handful, stirring until fully melted and silky. If too thick, loosen with a splash more broth or cream. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
  8. Add greens or veg. Fold in spinach until just wilted, 30–60 seconds. If using zucchini, sauté it in a little butter earlier (after onions) for 2–3 minutes, then continue with the recipe.
  9. Finish and serve. Turn off heat. Sprinkle with parsley or chives. Add optional toppings like pickles or jalapeños for a cheeseburger vibe. Serve hot straight from the skillet.