Easy Keto Diet Recipes for Busy Nights (2024)

Every mom needs an arsenal of easy meals. This list ofEasy Keto Diet Recipes for Busy Nights is just what you need for the crazy days that leave you with minutes to make dinner. Whip up one of these favorite keto recipes to create an easy and delicious meal everyone will love.

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Easy Keto Diet Recipes for Busy Nights

As our family has grown from four to six over the past three years, we have found that it’s just easier to eat at home most nights. With homeschooling our big kids, running a business and taking care of our little ones my days can get crazy. One thing I love about eating a keto diet is how simple our meals are. I can throw together a quick low carb in minutes with any of these delicious keto diet recipes when time is short.

What Makes a Great Keto Diet Recipe for Beginners?

If you are just getting started, the ketogenic diet is high fat, moderate protein, and low carbs. Although it didn’t make sense to me, in the beginning, to add extra healthy fats like coconut oil, olive oil, and butter to my meals, I quickly began to lose weight by counting net carbs in my head. This Guide to Getting Started on Keto is helpful whether your goal is better health or weight loss.

Where do I Find Keto Recipes?

Thankfully, we live in a day and age where you have access to thousands upon thousands of recipes at your fingertips all for free. You can access all of my keto recipes in my keto recipe index. Of course, Pinterest is always a fabulous place to search for recipes as well. I’ve got several keto recipe boards.

Keto Meal Prep Can Save Time

While I don’t do a lot of meal prep in advance, there are a few things I do that take very little time on the front end but are super helpful when it’s mealtime. First, I usually keep ground beef browned in zip lock baggies in the freezer. Instead of browning one pound at a time for a specific keto recipe, I brown several pounds at once, which is a huge time saver. You can find this tip and a few others in my 5 Easy Steps to Meal Prep post.

Also, it’s important that our meals are family-friendly. Althoughmy kids aren’t necessarily following the keto/low carb way of life, I am not making separate meals every night. Instead, I try to find recipes that they will enjoy as well. Here is a list of some of our favorite keto diet recipes that are easy, family-friendly, and delicious! Make sure to pin this list on Pinterest, so it will be handy when you need it. If you need inspiration planning your meals, I post a new keto meal plan each Sunday that includes dinner recipes for the week.

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Easy Keto Diet Recipes with Chicken

Lazy Chicken Parmesan

A lazy version of your favorite chicken parmesan recipe that can be served over zoodles, or with traditional pasta for the ones in your home that aren’t doing a low carb diet. This is so simple to toss in a casserole dish and throw in the oven.

Keto Chicken Pot Pie

Everyone needs a good chicken pot pie recipe in their arsenal. Using my easy to make keto-friendly crust, you’ll fall in love with this creamy and delicious low carb version!

Cheesy Ranch ChickenBacon Recipe with Broccoli

Inspired my childhood favorite, Chicken Divan, this recipe is one that everyone begs me to make. Loaded with creamy ranchy goodness and bacon, it has just enough broccoli to be an all in one dish that everyone will eat.

Keto BBQ Chicken Casserole

You are going to adore our homemade barbecue sauce in this delicious Keto BBQ Chicken Casserole. So easy to make, and gives you all the BBQ flavor you are craving without any of the guilt!

Green Chili & Chicken

Instant Pot Green Chili Chicken is an amazing, quick, and easy instant pot chicken recipe! With only eight ingredients, this green chili chicken is full of flavor and perfect for a busy night that you want a delicious meal!

Chicken Cordon Bleu

Layers of chicken, ham, and cheese are sure to satisfy even the pickiest person at your dinner table. This classic has been made over to give you the keto casserole you never knew you wanted.

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Easy Keto Diet Recipes with Beef

Pizza Casserole

Of course, I have to include the keto pizza casserole on this list! Everyone lovesthe meaty and cheesy goodness of this dish. It reminds me of a Meat Lovers Pizza. Make a simple garden salad to go along with this recipe for a complete meal.

Easy Keto Lasagna orKeto Lasagna

Another classic casserole is lasagna, and our simple keto lasagna recipe brings all the flavor you expect without those pesky carbs. This will become a favorite on rotation in your home.

Easy Keto Ground Beef Casserole

This Keto Ground Beef Casserole is the perfect comfort dish. Ground beef smothered in a creamy sauce made with heavy whipping cream, and full-fat cream cheese then topped with green beans and cheese is my most popular recipe ever. Easy to make and hearty, you’ll love every single bite.

The Very Best Taco Meat

The Very Best Taco Meat is a family favorite that is easy to make and versatile. While those who follow a low carb lifestyle can enjoy Taco Meat on a bed of lettuce or a lettuce wrap, the rest of the family can use this taco meat on tacos, burritos, etc.

Creamy Steak Bites

This Creamy Steak Bites and cauliflower Skillet is an easy low carb steak and veggies recipe with an amazing creamy sauce all cooked in one skillet!

Beef Casserole

Rich beefy with a crispy, cheesy biscuit topping remind you of childhood casseroles mom would make without all the carbs that cause guilt. This is an easy favorite you’ll have added to your menu regularly!

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Keto Diet Food Recipes for Breakfast

There are many amazing keto diet food recipes for breakfast. During the week I fast breakfast, but often enjoy a delicious homecooked keto breakfast on Saturday mornings. Here are a couple of our favorite low carb breakfast recipes.

Keto Sausage Ball Recipe

Reminiscent of the sausage balls my mom used to make when I was a child, these Keto Sausage Balls always hit the spot with their cheesy goodness.

Blueberry French Toast Casserole

Yes, you can even have french toast when following the keto diet. This Keto Blueberry French Toast is a fantastic combination with ripe blueberries, cream cheese, andketo-friendly bread baked together to perfection.

Keto Breakfast Bake with Ham, Egg, and Cheese

This make-ahead keto breakfast bake casserole is amazingly delicious and incredibly flavorful. You’ll love how quickly it comes together, and it freezes perfectly to enjoy later.

Where Can I Find a Weekly Keto Meal Plan?

Each week I post a brand new keto diet menu for inspiration. It’s not necessary to follow it to get results by any means; however, many have said that it makes it easier to have a meal plan to reference with keto diet recipes. I have compiled all of my meal plan links into one post for easy reference in my keto meal plan master list.

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Easy Keto Diet Recipes for Busy Nights (2024)

FAQs

What is a lazy keto meal? ›

A lazy keto diet consists of low-carb foods like meat, fish, full-fat dairy and non-starchy vegetables, but limits high-carb foods such as bread, potatoes, sugary snacks and some fruits. If you've tried the keto before and found it too tedious, lazy keto could be a good compromise.

What is the hardest day of keto? ›

1.The First 10 Days May Be The Toughest

Before starting, you should be aware that if you drop carbs cold-turkey, the first few days you will most likely experience symptoms of your body adjusting to lack of glucose. Many people starting off keto will go through this and it's often referred to as the “Keto Flu”.

What is dirty lazy keto diet? ›

"Lazy [keto] means you're taking the easy approach to the counting of macros," said Blatner. "Dirty [keto] is when people are eating [high-fat foods] like fast food and bacon and not caring so much about the quality of food."

How to do keto when you're broke? ›

9 tips for following the keto diet without going broke
  1. Shop locally. Check out your local farmers' markets. ...
  2. Buy in bulk. ...
  3. Stock up on eggs. ...
  4. Buy whole chickens instead of just chicken breasts. ...
  5. Meal prep in advance. ...
  6. Buy in-season vegetables. ...
  7. Buy vegetables in bulk and freeze them. ...
  8. Eat all parts of an animal.
Jun 26, 2018

What is the simplest keto meal? ›

Olives, nuts and charcuterie plates are brilliant keto-friendly nibbles to kick off your meal. Then stick with high protein mains like a chicken Ceasar salad, steak, or grilled fish, and swap out starchy, carb-heavy sides for vegetables if possible.

Is peanut butter lazy keto? ›

Peanut butter is moderately low in carbs and contains both fiber and healthy fat. Its composition makes peanut butter a balanced food that can be added to keto diets, depending on how it's made.

What week do you lose the most weight on keto? ›

If a person follows the 75% fat /20% carb/5% fat keto diet, average results may look like this:
  • Weeks 1–2: rapid weight reduction phase due to water loss – up to ten pounds.
  • Weeks 2–4: standard weight reduction – between one and two pounds per week.
  • After the first month – slow weight loss – around one pound per week.
Mar 6, 2022

What foods put you in ketosis fast? ›

Almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, and flaxseeds are some excellent choices that can help you get into ketosis fast. These crunchy snacks are perfect for curbing hunger and providing an extra dose of healthy fats. However, keep in mind that nuts and seeds are calorie-dense, so portion control is key.

How much weight can I lose in 8 weeks on keto? ›

Since your body has burned off its glucose, it enters a state of fat loss at this stage. The average weight loss journey while on keto is around one to two pounds per week.

What steak is best for keto? ›

Nutritionists often consider ribeye steak as the best to consume on the keto diet. This is because of its abundance of healthy fats and protein. 100 grams of ribeye steak, for example, contains 21.8 grams of fat and 23.7 grams of protein.

Is bacon clean keto? ›

Can You Eat Bacon On a Keto Diet? While you may not think of bacon as diet food, most types of bacon fit perfectly into a keto diet plan since they're low in carbs yet high in protein and fat. That means bacon is perfect for snacking on in the afternoon or mixing into your chicken dinner dish for some extra flavoring.

Is cottage cheese keto? ›

According to nutritionists, cottage cheese is generally not as keto-friendly as other cheese varieties. Although it is high in protein, it doesn't contain as much fat and may have a high carb content.

What is the cheapest protein for keto diet? ›

Eggs are an incredibly affordable, keto-friendly food that you can use in a variety of meals to cut back on food costs. You can also save money by buying cooked whole chickens and using or freezing all parts, and getting cheaper cuts of meat like pork, beef sirloin, ground chuck, and chicken thighs.

What are the cheap foods for keto diet? ›

Some good cheap keto foods include eggs, canned tuna or salmon, chicken thighs, ground beef, cauliflower, spinach, broccoli, zucchini, cheese, and nuts.

What is the most effective keto diet? ›

Following a ketogenic diet is the most effective way to enter ketosis. Generally, this involves limiting carb consumption to around 20 to 50 grams per day and filling up on fats, such as meat, fish, eggs, nuts, and healthy oils ( 6 ). It's also important to moderate your protein consumption.

What are the must haves for lazy keto diet? ›

A lazy keto diet food list includes foods like olive oil, coconut oil, free-range eggs, grass-fed butter and meats, and wild-caught fish. Clean keto encourages you to eat lots of non-starchy vegetables everyday to obtain essential vitamins, minerals and fiber, plus to help keep hunger in check.

Is Lazy keto good for weight loss? ›

Even if lazy keto means you won't reach the coveted ketosis status, Bradley said this is a moderate version of a low-carb diet that's more sustainable. It can still help with weight loss, reduce cravings, and lower the risk of metabolic syndrome and diabetes.

Why am I gaining weight on lazy keto? ›

People who consume too many calories may gain weight, even if they are in a state of ketosis. It is, therefore, important that people keep track of the number of calories that they consume. Sticking to a balanced meal plan can help a person work toward their ideal weight.

Why am I not losing weight on lazy keto? ›

You're eating too many carbs

One of the main reasons people don't lose weight on the ketogenic diet is that they're consuming too many carbs. To reach the state of ketosis — a metabolic state in which your body burns fat for energy instead of glucose — carbohydrate intake must be drastically reduced.

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