This “pizza bowl” gives you all the flavors of pizza minus the crust. Using cottage cheese as the base makes the dish high-in-protein, low-carb, and quick to prepare — perfect for busy days or a healthy meal without sacrificing taste.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cottage cheese (blended until smooth — can use low-fat or fat-free)
- ¼ cup marinara or pizza sauce
- 1 tablespoon almond flour or other gluten-free flour
- ¼ cup chopped bell peppers (any color)
- ⅛ cup sliced red onion
- ⅛ cup chopped black olives
- 1 teaspoon oregano or Italian seasoning
- ¼ cup light mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- 4–5 slices turkey pepperoni (or your choice of pizza-style topping)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 °F (about 200 °C).
- In an oven-safe bowl, combine the blended cottage cheese, marinara sauce, almond (or gluten-free) flour, chopped peppers, onions, olives, oregano (or Italian seasoning), salt, and pepper. Stir until evenly mixed.
- Smooth the mixture level in the bowl.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly on top. Then arrange the pepperoni slices over the cheese layer.
- Bake for about 5–7 minutes — or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the pepperoni starts to crisp. If you prefer a thicker, slightly firmer texture, you can bake a bit longer.
- Once baked, optionally garnish with fresh basil or parsley and a little grated Parmesan, if you like. Serve warm.
Recipe Info
- Prep Time: ~5 minutes
- Cook Time: ~5–7 minutes
- Total Time: ~10–12 minutes
- Servings: 1 bowl (single serving)
- Cuisine: American / Healthy comfort food
- Course: Lunch / Dinner / Snack
Tips & Variations
- For a vegetarian version: skip the pepperoni and add extra veggies like mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini.
- For spicier flavor: add a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes or a drizzle of hot sauce before serving.
- If cottage cheese curds bother you — blend until completely smooth for a creamy, ricotta-like texture.
- Want even more protein? Add cooked chicken, turkey sausage, or beans instead of or along with pepperoni.
- Leftovers? Once cooled, store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. Reheat in the oven, air fryer, or microwave until warmed through.
Approximate Nutrition (per bowl)
- Calories: ~220–230 kcal
- Protein: ~25 g
- Carbs: ~20–25 g (depending on sauce and veggies)
- Fat: ~4–6 g (will vary based on cheese and toppings)
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 400 °F (about 200 °C).
- In an oven-safe bowl, combine the blended cottage cheese, marinara sauce, almond (or gluten-free) flour, chopped peppers, onions, olives, oregano (or Italian seasoning), salt, and pepper. Stir until evenly mixed.
- Smooth the mixture level in the bowl.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly on top. Then arrange the pepperoni slices over the cheese layer.
- Bake for about 5–7 minutes — or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the pepperoni starts to crisp. If you prefer a thicker, slightly firmer texture, you can bake a bit longer.
- Once baked, optionally garnish with fresh basil or parsley and a little grated Parmesan, if you like. Serve warm.
Notes
- Protein: ~25 g
- Carbs: ~20–25 g (depending on sauce and veggies)
- Fat: ~4–6 g (will vary based on cheese and toppings)
FAQs
Is this pizza bowl low-carb?
Yes — because it skips the crust and uses cottage cheese instead, it’s lower in carbs than traditional pizza.
Can I use low-fat or fat-free cottage cheese?
Yes — though the texture may be a bit less creamy, it works fine and still gives a good protein boost.
Can I make this ahead for meal prep?
Absolutely. Assemble the bowl, refrigerate it (without baking), and bake or reheat when you’re ready to eat.
What if I don’t like cottage cheese curds?
Blend the cottage cheese until smooth before mixing — it will give you a smoother, creamier base similar to ricotta.
