All the cheesy, saucy, meaty goodness of pizza without the crust! These low-carb pizza bowls are quick, filling, high in protein, and easy to customize with your favorite toppings.

 Ingredients

Serves: 4
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 15–20 minutes
Total: About 30 minutes

Pizza Bowls

• 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef or Italian sausage
• 1 tbsp olive oil, if needed
• ½ small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup low-sugar pizza sauce or marinara sauce
• 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ cup sliced pepperoni, quartered
• ½ tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes, optional

Optional Toppings

• Sliced mushrooms
• Diced bell peppers
• Black olives
• Jalapeños
• Fresh basil
• Cherry tomatoes
• Cooked bacon
• Cooked chicken
• Extra mozzarella

 Instructions

1. Cook the Meat

Heat a large skillet over medium heat.

Add the ground beef or Italian sausage and cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking it apart with a spatula, until browned and cooked through.

Drain excess grease if necessary.

2. Add Onion & Garlic

Add the diced onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened.

Add minced garlic and cook for another 30–60 seconds until fragrant.

3. Season

Stir in:

• Italian seasoning
• Garlic powder
• Black pepper
• Red pepper flakes, if using

Mix well.

4. Add Pizza Sauce

Stir in the pizza sauce or marinara.

Simmer over low heat for 3–5 minutes so the flavors combine.

Taste and adjust the seasoning.

5. Build the Bowls

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

Divide the meat and sauce mixture among 4 oven-safe bowls or ramekins.

Top each bowl with:

• Mozzarella
• Parmesan
• Pepperoni
• Any additional pizza toppings you like

6. Bake

Place the bowls on a baking sheet.

Bake for 8–10 minutes, until the cheese is completely melted and bubbling.

7. Make It Extra Golden

For a browned, bubbly cheese topping, switch the oven to broil for 1–2 minutes.

Watch carefully because the cheese can brown quickly.

8. Rest & Serve

Let the pizza bowls cool for 2–3 minutes.

Garnish with fresh basil, Parmesan, or red pepper flakes.

Serve hot!

 Tips for the Best Pizza Bowls

• Use low-moisture mozzarella for the best cheese melt.
• Don’t add too much sauce or the bowls can become watery.
• Drain excess grease from the meat before adding sauce.
• Use oven-safe bowls or ramekins.
• For meal prep, assemble the meat and sauce separately from the cheese and toppings, then bake when ready to eat.

 High-Protein Options

For an extra protein boost, use:

• Lean ground beef
• Turkey sausage
• Ground chicken
• Grilled chicken
• Turkey pepperoni
• Extra mozzarella
• Cottage cheese mixed into the sauce

Low-Carb Vegetable Additions

Add any combination of:

• Zucchini
• Mushrooms
• Spinach
• Bell peppers
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Olives
• Jalapeños

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 Nut & Allergen Information

Nuts

No nuts are required in this recipe.

The standard recipe contains no peanuts, almonds, walnuts, pecans, cashews, pistachios, or other tree nuts.

For severe nut allergies, check packaged pizza sauce, pepperoni, sausage, and cheese labels for cross-contact warnings.

Dairy

Contains:

• Mozzarella
• Parmesan

Gluten

The basic recipe can be gluten-free, but check pizza sauce, sausage, pepperoni, and seasoning labels.

Some processed meats can contain wheat-based fillers.

Eggs

No eggs are required.

Soy

Soy is not intentionally added, but some pepperoni, sausage, and processed cheese products may contain soy.

Dairy-Free

Use dairy-free mozzarella and Parmesan alternatives.

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 Q&A

Are crustless pizza bowls keto-friendly?
They can be suitable for a low-carb or keto-style diet because they contain no pizza crust. Choose a low-sugar sauce and check the carbohydrate content of your toppings.

Can I use ground turkey?
Yes! Ground turkey is a great leaner option.

Can I use chicken instead of beef?
Absolutely. Cooked diced chicken or ground chicken works very well.

Can I make these vegetarian?
Yes. Replace the meat with mushrooms, zucchini, spinach, bell peppers, olives, and extra cheese.

Can I make them ahead?
Yes. Prepare the meat and sauce, refrigerate, then assemble with cheese and toppings before baking.

How long do leftovers last?
Store covered in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.

Can I freeze pizza bowls?
Yes, but the texture of the vegetables and cheese may change slightly. For best results, freeze the cooked meat mixture separately and add fresh cheese when reheating.

Can I make these in an air fryer?
Yes. Use oven-safe ramekins and air fry at 375°F (190°C) for about 5–8 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Can I add eggs?
Yes. Crack an egg over the meat mixture before adding cheese and bake until the egg is cooked to your preferred doneness.

Can I use cottage cheese?
Yes. Add a spoonful of cottage cheese underneath the mozzarella for extra protein and creaminess.