Name: Low Carb Keto Tuna Casserole with Spinach Recipe
Ingredients: Tuna: The heart of our casserole! We recommend using canned tuna in oil, drained. Oil-packed tuna is richer in flavor and healthy fats compared to water-packed, which is perfect for keto. For the best texture and flavor, opt for solid white albacore tuna. However, chunk light tuna also works well and is often more budget-friendly. Ensure you drain the tuna thoroughly to prevent excess liquid in your casserole. You’ll need two (5-ounce) cans for this recipe. If you prefer a stronger tuna flavor, feel free to add a third can.; Spinach: This leafy green powerhouse not only adds a vibrant color and a boost of nutrients but also contributes a subtle earthy flavor that complements the richness of the casserole. We’re using frozen spinach for convenience and because it tends to hold up better in casseroles than fresh spinach. You’ll need 10 ounces of frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry. It’s crucial to squeeze out as much excess moisture as possible from the thawed spinach. Too much water will make your casserole watery and dilute the flavors. If you prefer to use fresh spinach, you’ll need about 8-10 cups of raw spinach. Sauté it briefly until wilted and then squeeze out any excess liquid before adding it to the casserole.; Cream Cheese: This is the secret ingredient that elevates this casserole from ordinary to extraordinary. Full-fat cream cheese is essential for keto and provides a creamy, tangy base for our sauce. It melts beautifully and creates that luscious texture we crave in a casserole. You’ll need 4 ounces of cream cheese, softened to room temperature. Softening the cream cheese beforehand will ensure it blends smoothly into the sauce without any lumps.; Heavy Cream: Another key component for that rich, decadent sauce. Heavy cream provides the fat content necessary for keto and contributes to the overall creaminess and mouthfeel of the casserole. You’ll need 1 cup of heavy cream. Avoid using half-and-half or milk, as they are lower in fat and will result in a less rich and less keto-friendly casserole.; Shredded Cheese: Cheese is non-negotiable in a good casserole! We’re using a combination of cheeses for a complex flavor profile and cheesy goodness. Shredded cheddar cheese provides a classic sharp cheddar flavor that pairs perfectly with tuna and spinach. Shredded mozzarella cheese adds stretchiness and a mild, creamy flavor. You’ll need 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, divided. Dividing the cheese allows us to use some in the sauce for extra creaminess and some on top for that golden, bubbly crust. Feel free to experiment with other keto-friendly cheeses like Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or even a smoked Gouda for a more intense flavor. Pre-shredded cheese works for convenience, but freshly grated cheese melts more smoothly and often has a better flavor.; Onion and Garlic: Aromatic foundations for any savory dish! Diced onion and minced garlic add depth of flavor and complexity to the casserole. You’ll need ½ cup of diced yellow onion and 2 cloves of garlic, minced. Yellow onion is a good all-purpose onion for cooking. You can substitute with white onion or shallots if preferred. Fresh garlic is always best, but in a pinch, you can use garlic powder.; Butter: Butter adds richness and flavor and helps sauté the onion and garlic. Unsalted butter is recommended so you can control the salt level in the dish. You’ll need 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. If you only have salted butter, reduce the amount of added salt in the recipe.; Seasonings: Seasoning is crucial to bring all the flavors together. We’re using a simple but effective blend of spices: Salt, black pepper, and dried dill. Salt and pepper are essential for enhancing the flavors of all the ingredients. Dried dill adds a bright, herbaceous note that complements tuna and cream cheese beautifully. You’ll need ½ teaspoon of salt, ¼ teaspoon of black pepper, and ½ teaspoon of dried dill. Adjust the seasonings to your taste. You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat or a dash of onion powder or garlic powder for extra flavor depth.; Pork Rind Crumbs (Optional, for topping): For a keto-friendly crispy topping, we’re using crushed pork rind crumbs. These provide a satisfying crunch and a salty, savory flavor that mimics breadcrumbs without the carbs. You’ll need ½ cup of pork rind crumbs, optional for topping. If you don’t want to use pork rinds, you can skip the topping or use almond flour mixed with grated Parmesan cheese for a different keto-friendly topping.

Ingredients

Tuna: The heart of our casserole! We recommend using canned tuna in oil, drained. Oil-packed tuna is richer in flavor and healthy fats compared to water-packed, which is perfect for keto. For the best texture and flavor, opt for solid white albacore tuna. However, chunk light tuna also works well and is often more budget-friendly. Ensure you drain the tuna thoroughly to prevent excess liquid in your casserole. You’ll need two (5-ounce) cans for this recipe. If you prefer a stronger tuna flavor, feel free to add a third can.

Spinach: This leafy green powerhouse not only adds a vibrant color and a boost of nutrients but also contributes a subtle earthy flavor that complements the richness of the casserole. We’re using frozen spinach for convenience and because it tends to hold up better in casseroles than fresh spinach. You’ll need 10 ounces of frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry. It’s crucial to squeeze out as much excess moisture as possible from the thawed spinach. Too much water will make your casserole watery and dilute the flavors. If you prefer to use fresh spinach, you’ll need about 8-10 cups of raw spinach. Sauté it briefly until wilted and then squeeze out any excess liquid before adding it to the casserole.

Cream Cheese: This is the secret ingredient that elevates this casserole from ordinary to extraordinary. Full-fat cream cheese is essential for keto and provides a creamy, tangy base for our sauce. It melts beautifully and creates that luscious texture we crave in a casserole. You’ll need 4 ounces of cream cheese, softened to room temperature. Softening the cream cheese beforehand will ensure it blends smoothly into the sauce without any lumps.

Heavy Cream: Another key component for that rich, decadent sauce. Heavy cream provides the fat content necessary for keto and contributes to the overall creaminess and mouthfeel of the casserole. You’ll need 1 cup of heavy cream. Avoid using half-and-half or milk, as they are lower in fat and will result in a less rich and less keto-friendly casserole.

Shredded Cheese: Cheese is non-negotiable in a good casserole! We’re using a combination of cheeses for a complex flavor profile and cheesy goodness. Shredded cheddar cheese provides a classic sharp cheddar flavor that pairs perfectly with tuna and spinach. Shredded mozzarella cheese adds stretchiness and a mild, creamy flavor. You’ll need 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, divided. Dividing the cheese allows us to use some in the sauce for extra creaminess and some on top for that golden, bubbly crust. Feel free to experiment with other keto-friendly cheeses like Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or even a smoked Gouda for a more intense flavor. Pre-shredded cheese works for convenience, but freshly grated cheese melts more smoothly and often has a better flavor.

Onion and Garlic: Aromatic foundations for any savory dish! Diced onion and minced garlic add depth of flavor and complexity to the casserole. You’ll need ½ cup of diced yellow onion and 2 cloves of garlic, minced. Yellow onion is a good all-purpose onion for cooking. You can substitute with white onion or shallots if preferred. Fresh garlic is always best, but in a pinch, you can use garlic powder.

Butter: Butter adds richness and flavor and helps sauté the onion and garlic. Unsalted butter is recommended so you can control the salt level in the dish. You’ll need 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. If you only have salted butter, reduce the amount of added salt in the recipe.

Seasonings: Seasoning is crucial to bring all the flavors together. We’re using a simple but effective blend of spices: Salt, black pepper, and dried dill. Salt and pepper are essential for enhancing the flavors of all the ingredients. Dried dill adds a bright, herbaceous note that complements tuna and cream cheese beautifully. You’ll need ½ teaspoon of salt, ¼ teaspoon of black pepper, and ½ teaspoon of dried dill. Adjust the seasonings to your taste. You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat or a dash of onion powder or garlic powder for extra flavor depth.

Pork Rind Crumbs (Optional, for topping): For a keto-friendly crispy topping, we’re using crushed pork rind crumbs. These provide a satisfying crunch and a salty, savory flavor that mimics breadcrumbs without the carbs. You’ll need ½ cup of pork rind crumbs, optional for topping. If you don’t want to use pork rinds, you can skip the topping or use almond flour mixed with grated Parmesan cheese for a different keto-friendly topping.

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Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Preheating the oven ensures even cooking and prevents the casserole from sitting too long at room temperature before baking. This is a crucial step for any baked dish.

Prepare the spinach. If using frozen spinach, ensure it’s fully thawed. Place the thawed spinach in a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth and squeeze out as much excess water as possible. This step is vital to prevent a watery casserole. Set aside the squeezed spinach. If using fresh spinach, sauté it in a pan with a little olive oil until wilted. Then, squeeze out any excess moisture.

Sauté the aromatics. In a large skillet or oven-safe casserole dish (9×13 inch), melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic. Sautéing the onion and garlic in butter brings out their flavors and creates a flavorful base for the sauce. Using an oven-safe casserole dish directly in this step minimizes dishes and simplifies the process. If your skillet is oven-safe, you can use that as well.

Create the creamy sauce. Reduce the heat to low. Add the softened cream cheese to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Stir until the cream cheese is melted and smooth. Gradually pour in the heavy cream, stirring constantly to combine and prevent lumps. Continue stirring until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened. The cream cheese and heavy cream form the basis of our rich and creamy keto-friendly sauce. Stirring constantly ensures a smooth, lump-free sauce.

Incorporate the cheese and seasonings. Stir in ¾ cup of the shredded cheddar cheese and ¾ cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese into the sauce. Continue stirring until the cheese is melted and the sauce is cheesy and smooth. Season the sauce with salt, black pepper, and dried dill. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Adding cheese directly to the sauce creates a wonderfully cheesy and flavorful base. Seasoning at this stage allows the flavors to meld together as the casserole bakes.

Combine all ingredients. Add the drained tuna and squeezed spinach to the cheesy sauce. Gently stir to combine all ingredients evenly. Make sure the tuna and spinach are well distributed throughout the sauce.

Transfer to casserole dish (if not already in one). If you used a skillet that is not oven-safe, transfer the tuna mixture to a greased 9×13 inch casserole dish. Spread the mixture evenly in the dish.

Top with remaining cheese and pork rind crumbs (optional). Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of cheddar cheese and ¼ cup of mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. If using pork rind crumbs, sprinkle them evenly over the cheese. The topping adds a golden, cheesy crust and optional crunch to the casserole.

Bake. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly around the edges, heated through, and the cheese is melted and golden brown. Baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven. Keep an eye on the casserole and bake until it reaches the desired level of doneness.

Rest and serve. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the casserole to set slightly and makes it easier to serve. Resting also helps prevent burning your mouth on molten cheese!

Nutrition

Serving Size: One Normal Portion
Calories: 350-400
Fat: 25-30 grams
Carbohydrates: 4-5 grams
Protein: 25-30 grams