This low carb 4-ingredient cheeseburger skillet is the kind of easy, hearty dinner that saves the day when you want all the flavor of burgers without heating up the grill or fussing with buns and toppings. It has that classic backyard cheeseburger taste from savory ground beef, smoky bacon, and melty cheddar, all baked together in one cozy skillet-style dish that comes together fast and disappears even faster at the table.
Serve this rich skillet with simple low carb sides like a crisp green salad, steamed broccoli, roasted green beans, or dill pickle spears to bring in that true cheeseburger feel. If you're feeding a mixed crowd, it also works well with burger buns, lettuce cups, sliced tomatoes, or a spoonful alongside cauliflower mash for a filling family-style supper.
Low Carb 4-Ingredient Cheeseburger Skillet
Servings: 4
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
4 ounces cream cheese
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it up into crumbles, until fully browned and no longer pink. Drain off excess grease if needed.
2. Add the cream cheese to the hot beef and stir until melted and evenly mixed through the meat.
3. Stir in half of the crumbled bacon and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Spread the mixture evenly in the skillet, then top with the remaining cheddar and bacon.
4. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly around the edges. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Variations & Tips
For picky eaters: If someone at your table prefers a simpler flavor, leave the bacon off one side of the skillet before baking so everyone can dig in happily.
Make it extra cheesy: Swap part of the cheddar for Monterey Jack or mozzarella if you want a milder, stretchier cheese topping that kids often love.
Drain well: If your ground beef releases a lot of fat, draining it before adding the cream cheese keeps the finished skillet rich and savory instead of greasy.
Use the right pan: An oven-safe skillet makes this especially easy, but if your skillet cannot go in the oven, just transfer the mixture to a small casserole dish before topping and baking.
Serve burger-style: For that summer cookout feeling, set out pickles, mustard, diced onion, and shredded lettuce on the side so everyone can dress up their portion like a bunless cheeseburger.