Tag: #EasyDinner

Carnivore-Style Beef & Sausage Queso Bake

Lisa Kidd

There are some recipes that just scream comfort food, and this Carnivore-Style Beef & Sausage Queso Bake is definitely one of them!

I recently made a Carnivore Beefy Queso Bake and decided to put my own spin on it. I added pork sausage and shredded queso cheese, and I’m so glad I did! The combination of seasoned ground beef, savory sausage, creamy cheese, and that golden cheesy topping made this casserole absolutely delicious.

It’s hearty, creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor.

Why I Love This Recipe

As someone who focuses on protein-forward, low-carb recipes, I love finding meals that feel indulgent while still fitting into the way I like to eat.

This bake combines ground beef and pork sausage with cream cheese, heavy cream, cheddar cheese, queso cheese, eggs, and sour cream.

And let’s talk about that topping! The casserole bakes until the center is set and the cheese on top is melted with beautiful golden edges.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 lb pork sausage
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 4 oz cream cheese
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded queso cheese
  • 2 large eggs
  • ¼ cup sour cream

How to Make It

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and preparing an 8×8-inch baking dish.

Brown the ground beef and pork sausage together in a large skillet, breaking the meat into crumbles as it cooks. Season with salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Reduce the heat and stir in the cream cheese until melted. Add the heavy cream and simmer briefly until the mixture becomes thick and glossy.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, sour cream, half of the cheddar cheese, and half of the queso cheese. Stir that mixture into the warm beef and sausage mixture.

Transfer everything to your prepared baking dish and top with the remaining cheddar and queso cheese.

Bake for 18–22 minutes, until the center is set and the cheese is melted with golden edges. Let it rest for about 8 minutes before serving.

My Twist on the Recipe

The original recipe was titled Carnivore Beefy Queso Bake. I made it my own by adding sausage and shredded queso cheese, which gave it even more savory flavor and cheesiness.

And let me tell you… that cheesy top was AMAZING! 🧀

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a hearty, cheesy, protein-packed comfort food recipe, this Carnivore-Style Beef & Sausage Queso Bake is definitely worth trying.

It’s simple, flavorful, and makes a wonderfully satisfying meal.

If you make my version, I’d love to hear what you think!

❤️ Happy cooking from Bariatric Living with Lisa!

The BEST Carnivore Pizza Casserole (High-Protein & Low-Carb!)

Lisa Kidd

Sometimes you make a recipe that’s good…and sometimes you make one that immediately goes into your regular meal rotation. This Carnivore Pizza Casserole is definitely the second one!

I recently watched Becky from @EatLikeIts1965 make this recipe, and it looked so delicious that I just had to try it for myself. After one bite, I completely understood why people love it so much. It has all the comforting flavors of pizza without the crust, making it perfect for anyone following a bariatric, keto, carnivore, or low-carb lifestyle.

What Makes This Recipe So Good?

The star of this casserole is Becky’s incredibly rich and creamy white sauce. I doubled the recipe because I wanted every bite to be extra creamy, and it was absolutely worth it!

I layered my casserole with:

  • Shredded chicken
  • Ground beef
  • Bacon crumbles
  • Pepperoni
  • Mozzarella cheese
  • Double batch of the creamy white sauce

Once baked, everything melts together into a cheesy, hearty casserole that’s loaded with protein and packed with flavor.

Creamy Carnivore White Sauce Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter (28 g)
  • 2 ounces cream cheese, softened (57 g)
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (120 mL)
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (50 g)
  • 1/4 cup sour cream (60 g)
  • Salt to taste (optional)

Directions 1. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. 2. Add the cream cheese and heavy cream, whisking until smooth. 3. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and continue whisking until melted and fully incorporated. 4. Remove the pan from the heat and allow it to cool for about 1 minute. 5. Whisk in the sour cream until smooth and creamy. Taste and add salt if desired. — Carnivore & Keto Pizza Bowl Layer your favorite cooked meats, pizza sauce of choice (this white sauce or Rao’s Pizza Sauce), and mozzarella cheese in an oven-safe baking dish. There is no right or wrong way to build it—customize it with your favorite ingredients and amounts.

Baking Instructions

After assembling the casserole:

  • Bake covered at 350°F for 25–30 minutes.
  • Remove the lid.
  • Continue baking another 5–10 minutes, or until the cheese is beautifully golden and bubbling.

Your kitchen will smell just like your favorite pizza restaurant!

Why I Love It

Since my bariatric surgery, I’ve been looking for meals that are filling, satisfying, and high in protein. This casserole checks every box. It doesn’t leave me feeling like I’m missing out on pizza at all.

It’s also perfect for meal prep because leftovers reheat beautifully, making lunch or dinner quick and easy throughout the week.

Thank You, Becky!

I want to give a special thank you to Becky from Eat Like It’s 1965 for sharing her delicious white sauce recipe that inspired this casserole. If you enjoy carnivore or keto recipes, I highly recommend checking out her YouTube channel for more fantastic meal ideas.

If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave me a comment on YouTube and let me know your favorite pizza toppings to add to this casserole.

Happy cooking!

Lisa
Bariatric Living with Lisa

Easy Aloha Pineapple Chicken & Rice Casserole

Lisa Kidd

If you are looking for an easy comfort food recipe with a tropical twist, this Aloha Pineapple Chicken & Rice Casserole is absolutely delicious! 🍍🌺

This recipe combines tender chicken, sweet pineapple, savory soy sauce, colorful vegetables, and rice into one simple baked casserole dish. It’s hearty, flavorful, and makes a great family dinner or meal prep recipe.

To make it more bariatric lifestyle friendly, I used a combination of jasmine rice and cauliflower rice. This helps lower the carbs while still keeping that comforting casserole texture.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Easy one-pan meal
  • Sweet & savory flavor combination
  • High in protein
  • Great for leftovers
  • Perfect for busy weeknights
  • Budget friendly

Ingredients

  • ½ cup brown sugar or brown sugar substitute
  • ½ cup low sodium soy sauce (I used a sweet soy sauce)
  • 2 teaspoon Adobo garlic powder
  • 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
  • 1½ cup uncooked instant white rice (I used ½ cup uncooked Jasmine rice and a frozen bag of Cauliflower Rice, microwaved)
  • 1 diced sweet onion
  • 1 red bell pepper chopped
  • 1 20 ounce can pineapple tidbits or chunks in juice, NOT drained
  • 1 lb. thin-sliced boneless skinless chicken breasts or chicken tenderloins, diced into bite-sized pieces

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Spray a baking dish with cooking spray. I used a 13x 9 baking dish.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic, and chicken broth.
  • Add uncooked rice, onion, bell pepper, pineapple and it’s juices and chicken. Cover the baking dish tightly with foil. Bake for 50 minutes. Once cooking is done, uncover and stir ingredients.
  • Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and rice is tender.
  • Let stand 5 minutes before serving. 

The pineapple gives this casserole a sweet tropical flavor that pairs so well with the savory chicken and soy sauce!

Final Thoughts

This recipe is the perfect combination of comfort food and tropical flavor. It’s filling, protein-packed, and easy enough for busy weeknights.

If you try this recipe, let me know what you think!

Creamy Tortellini Soup with Fresh Garden Spinach

Lisa Kidd

There’s nothing better than harvesting fresh spinach from the garden and turning it into a warm, comforting homemade soup. In today’s Bariatric Living with Lisa recipe, I made a rich and creamy Tortellini Soup loaded with Italian sausage, vegetables, cheesy tortellini, and fresh garden spinach.

This recipe is hearty, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make in one pot. The fresh spinach adds beautiful color and freshness while the creamy broth and cheese tortellini make this meal feel extra cozy and satisfying.

One of my favorite parts of container gardening is being able to walk outside, harvest fresh ingredients, and immediately use them in recipes like this. It truly makes homemade meals taste even better!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Easy one-pot meal
  • Comfort food with fresh vegetables
  • Great way to use garden spinach
  • Creamy, rich, and satisfying
  • Perfect for meal prep or leftovers

Ingredients

1 pound ground Italian sausage, browned

1 onion, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 8oz pack of sliced mushrooms

  • 2 large carrots, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • ½ Tablespoon Adobo Seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 teaspoon chicken bouillon powder 
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 cups chicken broth 
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch mixed and dissolved in 1/4 cup water
  • 36 ounces evaporated milk 
  • 12 ounce packet three cheese tortellini I used dried not fresh; choose any flavour you like
  • 5 cups fresh baby spinach
  • 1 cup milk, if needed

Instructions

  • Place the browned sausage, onion, carrots, celery, Adobo seasoning, Italian seasoning, chicken bouillon powder, salt, and broth in a Dutch oven. Cover and cook on Medium High until boiling and vegetables are tender.
  • Uncover and stir in the cornstarch mixture with the evaporated milk. Add the tortellini and the Spinach, mix well. Cover again and cook on Medium to Medium High heat until the soup has thickened, and the tortellini is soft and cooked through. You may need to add milk, a little bit at a time to thin out to your liking. Enjoy!

This soup is perfect for chilly evenings or anytime you want a comforting homemade meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

If you make this recipe, let me know how it turned out and what you’re growing in your garden this season!