Crustless Pizza Bowl: A Keto-Friendly Delight

Craving pizza but trying to stay low-carb? Meet the Crustless Pizza Bowl—your new keto-friendly go-to! This dish brings all the delicious flavors of pizza without the carb-heavy crust. Perfect for a quick lunch, dinner, or even a snack, this recipe is loaded with cheesy goodness, savory meats, and fresh veggies. Best of all, it’s easy to customize, making it an ideal choice whether you’re meal prepping or looking to satisfy a weeknight pizza craving. Say goodbye to greasy takeout and hello to a healthier, homemade alternative!

Ingredients for the Crustless Pizza Bowl

Main Ingredients

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup cooked Italian sausage (crumbled)
• ½ cup pepperoni slices
• ½ cup sliced mushrooms
• ½ cup black olives (sliced)
• ½ cup green bell pepper (sliced)
• ½ cup marinara sauce (no sugar added)
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• Red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

Optional Toppings

• Fresh basil
• Crushed red pepper
• Extra cheese (for that cheesy pull!)

Tools You Will Need

• Oven-safe bowls or ramekins (4 small ones or 2 large ones)
• Baking sheet (to catch any overflow)
• Skillet (to cook sausage)
• Spatula
• Cutting board
• Knife
• Spoon (for layering and spreading)
• Measuring cups and spoons

How to Prepare Your Crustless Pizza Bowl

Now that you have all your ingredients and tools ready, let’s dive into the kitchen and create this Crustless Pizza Bowl masterpiece. Follow these steps carefully to ensure your pizza bowl turns out with the perfect balance of melted cheese, savory meats, and tender vegetables. This recipe is easy to tweak, so feel free to adjust the ingredients based on your personal preferences.

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This is the optimal temperature to melt the cheese and allow all the flavors to meld together.

Step 2: Cook Your Sausage

In a skillet, cook the Italian sausage over medium heat, breaking it up into small crumbles with a spatula. You want the sausage to be fully cooked and slightly browned. This usually takes about 6-8 minutes. Once done, remove from heat and set aside.

Step 3: Prep Your Veggies

While the sausage cooks, take the time to prep your vegetables. Slice the mushrooms, green bell pepper, and black olives. These veggies add texture and flavor to the pizza bowl, and slicing them thin ensures they cook evenly with the rest of the ingredients.

Step 4: Assemble the Pizza Bowls

Now the fun part—assembling your crustless pizza bowl! Take your oven-safe bowls or ramekins and start layering in the ingredients.

1. Layer 1 – Mozzarella Cheese Base: Start by adding about ¼ cup of shredded mozzarella at the bottom of each bowl. This will create a cheesy base that mimics the gooeyness of melted pizza cheese.
2. Layer 2 – Ricotta Cheese: Add a ¼ cup of ricotta cheese on top of the mozzarella. Ricotta adds creaminess and balances the saltiness of the other ingredients.
3. Layer 3 – Marinara Sauce: Spoon 2 tablespoons of marinara sauce (be sure to use one with no added sugar to keep it keto-friendly) on top of the ricotta layer. Spread it evenly for full flavor coverage.
4. Layer 4 – Meats: Add your cooked Italian sausage and pepperoni slices. Divide them evenly between the bowls, making sure each bite will have a good mix of meat.
5. Layer 5 – Veggies: Now, sprinkle on your prepared veggies—mushrooms, bell peppers, and olives. These add a wonderful crunch and flavor that complements the rich cheeses and meats.
6. Layer 6 – Cheese Topping: Add another layer of ¼ cup shredded mozzarella on top of the veggies. This will melt and create that classic pizza cheese pull everyone loves.
7. Final Touch – Parmesan & Seasonings: Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, and ¼ teaspoon onion powder over the top of each bowl. If you like your pizza a little spicy, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.

Step 5: Bake the Pizza Bowls

Place your bowls on a baking sheet—this will catch any cheese that might bubble over. Transfer the baking sheet into the oven and bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly, with a slightly golden top.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Once done, carefully remove the pizza bowls from the oven. Let them cool for about 5 minutes before serving, as the cheese will be extremely hot. Garnish with fresh basil or a sprinkle of crushed red pepper, if desired.

These pizza bowls are best served hot and gooey, straight from the oven. They’re designed to be eaten as a main course for lunch or dinner, but they also make a fantastic snack for when you’re craving pizza flavors in a low-carb format.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

Here’s the nutritional breakdown for one serving of the Crustless Pizza Bowl (based on 4 servings):

• Calories: 450 kcal
• Fat: 35g
• Protein: 25g
• Carbohydrates: 6g
• Fiber: 2g
• Net Carbs: 4g
• Sugars: 3g
• Sodium: 1100mg

This recipe is keto-friendly, low in carbohydrates, and high in fat and protein, making it an ideal choice for those following a ketogenic or low-carb lifestyle. The fiber content is low, but the net carbs are kept minimal, so it stays within the requirements for most keto diets.

Additional Notes and Tips

1. Customizing Your Pizza Bowl: Feel free to switch up the ingredients to suit your preferences. Swap the Italian sausage for ground beef or turkey. Add other low-carb veggies like spinach, zucchini, or even some roasted eggplant for a Mediterranean twist.
2. Marinara Sauce: Be sure to use a sugar-free marinara sauce to keep this recipe keto-friendly. You can either make your own or find store-bought options labeled “no sugar added.”
3. Cheese Options: While mozzarella is the classic pizza cheese, you can use other cheeses like cheddar, provolone, or even gouda for a different flavor profile.
4. Make It Spicy: If you love heat, toss in some sliced jalapeños or hot Italian sausage to kick the flavor up a notch.
5. Meal Prep: These crustless pizza bowls can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to eat, simply reheat in the microwave or oven until the cheese is melted again.
6. Portion Control: If you’re watching your calorie intake, consider using smaller ramekins and adjusting the portion sizes accordingly. You can easily make this recipe into 6 smaller servings instead of 4 larger ones.
7. Gluten-Free and Keto: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, making it an excellent option for those with gluten sensitivities or those following a keto or low-carb diet.

With this Crustless Pizza Bowl recipe, you get all the delicious flavors of pizza in a low-carb, keto-friendly format. It’s a great meal solution for lunch, dinner, or even a quick snack. The convenience of individual bowls makes portion control easy, and it’s a fantastic way to satisfy pizza cravings without derailing your diet. Enjoy the cheesy, meaty, and veggie-packed goodness with just a few simple steps!