Easy Keto BBQ Mac and Cheese Burger Recipe For Dinner

You ever have one of those weeks where cooking feels like a chore, but you still want something that hits all the right notes? That’s where this Keto BBQ Mac and Cheese Burger comes in. It’s part comfort food, part cookout beast, and 100% satisfying—even if you’re keeping it low carb. This ain’t your average burger either. We’re talking barbeque chicken mac and cheese tucked into a juicy keto smash burger with just the right bite. No buns. No sugar. No regrets.

Now before you roll your eyes thinking this is gonna be another recipe that takes hours to pull together… stop. You can actually whip this up as one of those easy weeknight dinners with shredded chicken you always mean to try but never do. It’s also great if you’ve got some leftover meals with pulled chicken or something hanging out in the fridge that needs new life.

Why You’ll Keep Coming Back to This One

Alright, let’s cut the noise. Here’s what makes this dish work:

• Low carb but doesn’t taste like diet food

• You can use the crockpot chicken and mac and cheese you made two days ago

• It satisfies burger cravings without falling off the keto wagon

• It’s secretly one of the best cookout meal ideas for summer hangouts

• Everything can be prepped ahead, stored, and smashed together in minutes

Let’s walk through it step-by-step so you don’t need to overthink a single part.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese

• 2 cups shredded chicken (rotisserie works too)

• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk

• 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar

• 1 cup mozzarella (stretchy cheese matters here)

• 1 tablespoon cream cheese

• 1 tablespoon butter

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

• ¼ cup low sugar BBQ sauce (make sure it’s keto)

• 1 ½ cups cooked low-carb pasta (or cauliflower florets if you’re stricter)

For the Smash Burgers

• 1 lb ground beef (80/20 is best)

• Salt and pepper

• 1 teaspoon onion powder

• 1 teaspoon mustard powder

• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)

• Cooking spray or avocado oil

Optional Toppings

• Sugar-free pickles

• Extra cheddar

• Keto slaw

• Bacon (if you’re wild)

• Keto big mac sauce (recipe below)

How to Make the BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese (Keto-Friendly)

If you’ve got some crockpot chicken and mac and cheese leftovers or meal-prepped meals with pulled chicken, that’s already a win. But if you’re starting fresh, here’s how to make it from scratch without making a mess of your kitchen.

Step 1: Heat the Base

Place a medium-sized skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Drop in 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of cream cheese. Stir slowly until both melt down and mix together. You want it smooth, not bubbling like crazy.

Step 2: Add the Creaminess

Pour in 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk. Let it heat through gently—don’t let it come to a boil. Now slowly sprinkle in 1½ cups of shredded cheddar and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella. Stir constantly until it turns into a thick, creamy cheese sauce. If it looks stringy at first, keep stirring. It’ll smooth out.

Step 3: Spice It Up

Season the sauce with 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, a pinch of salt, and a few cracks of black pepper. This is where it gets smoky and savory—key for that real bbq chicken mac flavor.

Step 4: Bring in the BBQ

Add ¼ cup of a low sugar, keto-friendly BBQ sauce. Stir it into the cheese mixture. It’ll change color slightly and smell amazing. Don’t skip this step—this is what gives the barbeque chicken mac and cheese its bold kick.

Step 5: Fold in the Good Stuff

Now add 2 cups of shredded or pulled chicken. Use crockpot chicken, rotisserie, or leftovers from your last easy weeknight dinners with shredded chicken. Mix well.

Then stir in 1½ cups of cooked low-carb pasta (or roasted cauliflower florets if you’re skipping the noodles). Stir until the sauce coats everything evenly and it looks like something you’d eat with a giant spoon straight from the pot.

Boom. That’s your bbq chicken mac base done.

Make the Smash Burgers

You know those big mac smash burgers all over Instagram? Same energy here, just keto-style.

• Divide the ground beef into four loose balls. Don’t pack them tight. Keep ’em rough.

• Heat up a skillet until it’s hot—like, small puff of smoke hot.

• Place a ball of beef down and smash it with a spatula (use parchment to press it if it sticks).

• Season with salt, pepper, and those spices we listed.

• Flip after 1-2 minutes, top with cheese if you want, cook for another minute or so.

• Set aside.

You just made a keto smash burger recipe that’s way better than drive-thru junk.

Build the Burger

Now here’s where it comes together:

• Lay down your burger patty.

• Scoop a generous spoonful of that BBQ mac and chicken.

• Add pickles or slaw or more cheese.

• Add a dollop of keto big mac sauce (trust me, it slaps).

• If you’re eating with a fork—great. If you want to use a chaffle or lettuce wrap, knock yourself out.

Make-Ahead Tips

• The mac and chicken mix stays good in the fridge for 3 days, or you can freeze it.

• Patties can be smashed, then frozen and reheated.

• The sauce can live in a jar in the fridge for a week.

Keto Big Mac Sauce (No Sugar, Still Awesome)

Mix together:

• 1/2 cup mayo

• 1 tablespoon mustard

• 1 tablespoon dill relish (sugar-free)

• 1 teaspoon vinegar

• Pinch of paprika

• Pinch of onion powder
  Let it sit for 10 minutes to get the full flavor. Tastes almost criminal on burgers and anything fried.

Meal Prep or Party?

This works both ways. For super simple keto meals, pack the mac separately from the patties and toss them together when you’re hungry. If you’re hosting, lay everything out and let folks build their own. Works great as a low calorie smash burger alternative too—since you’re skipping the bun and swapping in protein-heavy sides.

You can even turn this into sliders for parties. Use mini burger presses or just roll smaller meatballs and smash those. The bariatric burger recipes crowd will love the portion control without feeling like they’re eating kid food.

Tips If You’re New to Keto or Low-Carb

• Don’t stress about carbs in cheese—it’s usually 1g or less per serving

• Always check your BBQ sauce label; even “no sugar added” can sneak in carbs

• Cauliflower is your best friend if you’re skipping pasta altogether

• Ground turkey works in a pinch if beef is too heavy

Quick Variations To Keep It Fresh

• Swap in buffalo sauce for a hot-wing vibe

• Add jalapeños if you’re chasing heat

• Use pulled pork instead of chicken for another level

• Try it as a mac and chicken casserole—just bake with cheese on top

• Add crumbled bacon to the mac for extra crunch

Conclusion

You don’t need buns or a carb coma to enjoy a good burger. This Keto BBQ Mac and Cheese Burger has all the flavor, all the fun, none of the regret. Whether you’re digging into dinner ideas mac and cheese on a cold weeknight, or pulling out some leftovers from your last meals with pulled chicken cook, it just works. No fuss. No weird ingredients. Just honest comfort food you can eat on a Tuesday night and still feel good about.

And if you’re into collecting keto burger recipes that don’t taste like cardboard, this one earns a spot in your weekly rotation.

Now quit scrolling and start smashing.

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