The lazy keto diet differs from the original keto diet in that dieters need only to restrict their carbohydrates to 10% of their daily calorie intake. The best lazy keto meals have a high proportion of protein, fats, and vegetables with little to no carbohydrates, which are most found in breads.
The rest of this article will tell you all you need to know about the keto diet and provide the recipes for the 20 best lazy keto meals.
What is the Lazy Keto Diet?
While lazy keto isn’t drastically different from traditional keto, it is more straightforward in the sense that its main focus is cutting down carbohydrates. The lazy keto diet doesn’t require that the dieter keep strict track of their fat and protein intake like the traditional keto diet, but it has similar health benefits.
What are the Health Benefits of the Lazy Keto Diet?
The primary health benefits of the keto diet are reducing body fat, increasing protein intake (which in turn results in more energy), and better managing chronic health conditions such as metabolic disorders and diabetes.
The name “keto” comes from the word “ketosis,” which is the state in which the body stores less energy for fat and uses fat instead of glucose for fuel.
In normal dietary circumstances, when one eats carbohydrates regularly, the body stores fat and uses the glucose from carbs for energy. Since the keto diet eliminates carbohydrates, it is necessary for the body to use fat as fuel, since there is little to no glucose to use for energy.
Tips for Lazy Keto Meal Prep
One of the easiest and most efficient ways to stick to your keto diet is to make a few days’ or even a week’s meal plan in one go. Divide the ingredients for each day’s meals into separate containers. This way, if you live with family or friends who aren’t following the keto diet, it’s simple to add additional sides to complete a non-keto meal for these members.
Prep basic recipes, such as meat for stir-fry, lettuce and shredded cheese for salads, and nuts and eggs for easy on-the-go snacks.
Preparing the week’s meals in bulk helps you better keep track of your calories and carbohydrate intake.
Some staples you should include in your keto meal prep are as follows:
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Bacon
- Nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans, etc.)
- Cheese (shredded for meals, sliced or sticks for weekday snacks)
- Lettuce
- Sauces for various dishes (like stir fry sauce)
- Chopped vegetables
- Keto-friendly fruits (raspberries, lemons, avocados)
Can I Eat Fruit on the Lazy Keto Diet?
Keep in mind that most fruits are high in carbs and aren’t keto-friendly. However, this doesn’t mean that all fruits are off-limits. Fruits that are low in carbs and can be included in your keto diet are as follows:
- Avocados
- Watermelon – an added bonus with this fruit is that it provides hydration
- Strawberries
- Lemon – can be used to flavor drinks and add extra flavor to salads and stir-fry
- Tomatoes – versatile as a snack or an ingredient in salads
- Raspberries
- Peaches
- Cantaloupe
- Star fruit
20 of the Best Lazy Keto Meals with Recipe!
As with any diet, it’s imperative to stick to a routine. Skipping a meal makes it more difficult to function throughout the day and successfully enter the state of ketosis. However, it’s also important to mix up your meals and find new and different keto-friendly recipes to try. Otherwise, you might grow bored with your regimen.
1.) Keto Breakfast Casserole
For this recipe, you will need:
- Breakfast sausage
- Chopped ham
- Garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
- Eggs
- Heavy cream
- Cheddar cheese
- Mozzarella cheese
- Feta cheese
This hearty and satisfying breakfast casserole is high in protein, thanks to the eggs, ham, and sausage. It’s quick and easy to make and feeds the whole family. You can also add vegetables, such as spinach, cauliflower, peppers or broccoli, for extra nutrition.
Nutritional Facts (per serving):
Calories: 353 Total Fat: 28g Saturated Fat: 13g Cholesterol: 245mg Sodium: 905 mg Carbohydrates: 3.6g Net Carbs: 3.3g Fiber: 0.3g Sugar: 1.7g Protein: 22g
2.) Keto Cauliflower Hash Browns
This simple recipe, made with only 6 ingredients, uses the low-carb cauliflower as a substitute for potatoes. It is a perfect breakfast dish for busy weekday mornings. Packed with protein, it keeps you full and satisfied.
For this recipe, you will need:
- Cauliflower – make sure to cook until crispy and all moisture is gone, otherwise your hash browns will be soggy
- Mozzarella cheese
- Egg
- Parmesan
- Garlic powder
- Salt – to taste
3.) Coconut Flour Pancakes
You make this recipe just like traditional pancakes, but with one major difference: with coconut flour instead of wheat flour. Coconut flour is naturally sweet and makes for fluffy pancakes that imitate the original. Another great thing is that it only takes 10 minutes to make!
You will need:
- Eggs
- Cream cheese
- Coconut flour
- Heavy cream
- Baking powder
- Vanilla extract
4.) Low Carb Breakfast Pizza
This egg-based breakfast pizza is high in protein and easy to make. You will need:
- Olive oil
- Eggs
- Grape tomatoes
- Pepperoni
- Black olives
- Mozzarella
- Dried oregano
- Spike seasoning
5.) Portobello Egg Toast
This delicious recipe includes portobello mushrooms in a creative way. To make it, you will need:
- Portobello mushrooms
- Cherry tomatoes
- Eggs
- Thyme
- Salt and pepper
- Olive oil
- Garlic cloves
6.) Low Carb Strawberry Chocolate Chip Muffins
You will need the following ingredients for these fluffy, flavorful breakfast muffins:
- Cream cheese
- Butter
- Low carb sugar
- Lemon zest
- Vanilla extract
- Coconut flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Xanthum gum
- Eggs
- Heavy cream
- Strawberries
- Sugar-free chocolate chips
7.) Keto Sausage Balls
You’ll need the following for this hearty, protein-rich breakfast recipe:
- Breakfast sausage
- Mozzarella cheese
- Cream cheese
- Almond flour
- Egg
8.) Mini Mushrooms Frittatas with Cream Cheese and Feta
These charming and flavorful frittatas can be made in a muffin pan. You’ll need the following:
- Mushrooms (crimini or portobello work best)
- Olive oil
- Cottage cheese
- Feta cheese
- Green onions
- Eggs
- Spike seasonings
- Black pepper
9.) Low Carb Strawberry Avocado Smoothie
You’ll need the following to make this smooth, creamy, and protein-rich breakfast smoothie:
- Avocados
- Strawberries
- Milk
- Yogurt
- Protein powder
- Nut butter (peanut or almond)
- Vanilla extract
9.) Keto Mac and Cheese
Enjoy this delicious spin on a traditional comfort food without the guilt. You’ll need the following:
- Cauliflower
- Butter
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Heavy cream
- Cream cheese
- Cheddar cheese
- Mozzarella cheese
- Black pepper
- Hot sauce (optional)
- Pork rinds
- Parmesan
- Parsley
10.) Keto Meatballs
You’ll need the following to make this hearty dinner dish:
- Ground beef
- Garlic
- Mozzarella
- Parmesan
- Parsley
- Egg
- Salt and pepper
- Olive oil
- Onion
- Tomatoes
- Oregano
11.) Keto Taco Casserole
Hello Taco Tuesday! Why of course you can keep the tradition going! This spicy, protein-rich casserole is satisfying for the whole family. You’ll need the following:
- Onion
- Ground beef
- Salt and pepper
- Olive oil
- Taco seasoning
- Jalapenos
- Eggs
- Mexican cheese
- Sour cream
- Parsley
12.) Keto Chicken Parmesan
https://www.delish.com/cooking/nutrition/a30221954/keto-chicken-parmesan-recipe/
You’ll need the following to make this flavorful dinner dish:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper
- Almond flour
- Eggs
- Parmesan
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Dried oregano
- Low-carb, sugar-free tomato sauce
- Mozzarella cheese
- Basil leaves
13.) Blue Cheese Spinach and Broccoli Soup
This creamy, hearty blue cheese soup is a must-have for busy weeknights. With a full serving of veggies and plenty of protein, this soup keeps you full for the whole evening. You’ll need the following ingredients:
- Butter
- Onion
- Garlic
- Chicken broth
- lemon
- olive oil
- Broccoli
- Salt and pepper
- Sour Cream
- Spinach
- Blue Cheese
14.) Creamy Keto Taco Soup
Another soup entry on our list, this thick dinner meal is packed with protein in the form of cheese and meat.
- Ground beef
- Bell pepper
- Diced tomatoes
- Beef broth
- Taco seasoning
- Cream cheese
15.) Keto Green Bean Casserole
This low-carb alternative to the classic Thanksgiving dish works great as an appetizer, as side dish alongside some grilled chicken breast, or as a light dinner all its own. You’ll need the following to make it:
- Olive oil
- Onions
- Mushrooms
- Garlic
- Butter
- Vegetable stock
- Heavy cream
- Milk
- Almond flour
- Salt and pepper
16.) Keto Chili
This keto alternative to traditional chili is made without beans, but has the same hearty, satisfying feel. To make it, you’ll need:
- Olive oil
- Onions
- Garlic
- Ground beef
- Red bell pepper
- Tomato paste
- Tomatoes
- Keto taco seasoning
- Chili powder (optional)
- Salt and pepper
17.) Keto Meatloaf
You’ll need the following to make this classic dinner dish:
- Ground beef
- Onion
- Garlic
- Eggs
- Milk
- Sugar-free ketchup
- Keto bread crumbs
- White vinegar
- Parsley
- Brown sugar substitute
- Salt and pepper
18.) Eggplant Lasagna
This keto alternative replaces the lasagna noodles with slices of eggplant. These Lazy Keto Meals are fantastic to dine on over and over without having to worry about counting calories or stress about staying in ketosis. You’ll need:
- Eggplants
- Olive oil
- Ground beef
- Keto marinara sauce
- Italian seasoning
- Cheddar cheese
- Ricotta cheese
- Mozzarella cheese
- Spinach
- Egg
- Salt and pepper
19.) Keto Taco Salad
https://www.wickedstuffed.com/keto-recipes/lazy-keto-taco-salad/
You’ll need the following for this flavorful dinner salad:
- Ground beef
- Taco sauce
- Iceberg lettuce
- Keto-friendly thousand island dressing
- Crumbled nacho cheese protein chips
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cheddar cheese
20.) Keto Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
This flavorful dish has all the heartiness necessary in a dinner dish. You’ll need:
- Chicken breast
- Butter
- Ranch seasoning mix
- Cream cheese
- Heavy whipping cream
- Broccoli
- Chicken broth
- Crumbled bacon
- Sharp cheddar cheese
Lazy keto meals are all about quick and easy recipes that fit the lazy keto diet macros.
If you’re following the lazy keto diet, then you know that quick and easy meals are key. That’s where these lazy keto meals come in. From casseroles to Instant Pot recipes, we’ve got you covered.