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Craving pizza but looking to keep things light and low-carb? This single serving Crustless Pizza Bowl has got you covered! With all the classic supreme pizza toppings packed in, you’ll be diving into layers of deliciousness in just 15 minutes.
A Pizza Bowl is essentially a crustless pizza served in a bowl. It’s filled with your favorite pizza toppings and some good ol’ melty cheese, giving you that authentic pizza vibe without the carbs of a crust.
Explore our exciting range of single serving and small batch pizza options, including the crispy Detroit Style Pizza, the rustic French Bread Pizza, the classic Personal Pepperoni Pizza, and the innovative crustless Pizza Quiche.
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Why You’ll Love This Pizza Bowl Recipe
- Low-Carb: This crustless pizza bowl recipe is perfect for those watching their carb intake. It has all the flavors of a classic supreme pizza, without the crust!
- Quick and Easy: Ready in just 15 minutes, this is your go-to for a speedy, satisfying meal.
- Versatile: Feel free to throw in whatever pizza toppings you have on hand.
- Gluten-Free: A boon for those on a gluten-free diet, now you can have your pizza and eat it too!
- Single Serving: Ideal for those cooking for one or looking to portion control.
Ingredients
This is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why I used them. For the full recipe please scroll down to the recipe box at the bottom of the post.
- Olive oil: Used for sautéing veggies and meat. Substitute with avocado oil if preferred.
- Onions & Green Bell Peppers: These add a crunch and natural sweetness. Feel free to swap with veggies of your choice. Consider using leftover onions and bell peppers in Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja, Chicken Tacos, and Pepper Steak.
- Garlic: Adds depth of flavor. Garlic powder (1/8 teaspoon) can be a quick alternative.
- Marinara sauce: Use your favorite brand of jarred Marinara sauce, pizza sauce, or tomato sauce. You might like to use our small batch tomato sauce which is absolutely delicious in this recipe. Look for a sugar-free version to keep it low carb. If you have leftover sauce, consider using it in Stuffed Shells and Chicken Parmesan.
- Mozzarella cheese: Offers that ooey-gooey texture. For a dairy-free option, opt for vegan cheese. I recommend shredding your own cheese rather than purchasing bagged pre-shredded cheese. The cheese will melt better when freshly shredded. Pre-shredded cheese contains preservatives that help to keep the shreds of cheese from clumping in the bag. This means that the cheese doesn’t melt as well. Extra mozzarella can be used in Lasagna Soup, Italian Chopped Salad, and a mini Vegetable Lasagna.
- Italian sausage: Adds a spicy kick. You can switch to turkey sausage for a leaner option. Leftover sausage can be used in Tortellini Soup and Zuppa Toscana.
- Pepperoni: It’s a pizza classic, but if you’re not a fan, try using ham or even chicken. I use 5 pepperoni slices in my pizza bowl. You’ll want to line the bottom of the ramekin with slices of pepperoni. Use extra pepperoni in a mini Muffuletta!
- Fresh basil: Optional, for topping.
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
Recipe Variations
The beauty of this Pizza Bowl is its adaptability. Feel free to get creative with these alternative recipe variations.
- Garden Veggie Pizza Bowl: Enjoy a bowl with your favorite vegetable toppings like spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, green peppers, mushrooms, and banana peppers.
- Chicken Alfredo Pizza Bowl: Use Alfredo sauce instead of marinara sauce and juicy cooked chicken instead of pepperoni and Italian sausage. Consider adding in a little spinach to cook along with the onions and garlic.
- Hawaiian Pizza Bowl: Make your bowl with sweet chunks of pineapple, salty ham, a slice of cooked and crumbled bacon, and mozzarella cheese.
- Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza Bowl: Made with cooked ground beef, a slice of cooked and crumbled bacon, and plenty of shredded cheddar cheese.
- BBQ Chicken Pizza Bowl: Perfect for leftover chicken. Use BBQ sauce instead of marinara sauce and add chopped red onions and Monterey Jack cheese.
- Create Your Own Pizza Bowl: Add your favorite pizza toppings to a bowl and bake.
- Vegan Pizza Bowl: Use vegan cheese and plenty of your favorite vegetables.
How To Make A Pizza Bowl
These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make a single serving pizza bowl. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C).
- Cook the sausage and vegetables: Heat the oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the ground Italian sausage and break it apart with a spatula. Cook, stirring occasionally until the sausage has browned and has cooked through, about 5 minutes.
- Add chopped onions, chopped green bell peppers, and minced garlic to the pan and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently until the onions have softened. Using a slotted spoon, scoop the sausage and vegetables onto a paper towel-lined plate to drain off the grease.
- Build the pizza bowl: Coat the bottom of a 10-ounce ramekin with half of the marinara sauce.
- Line the bottom of the dish with the pepperoni slices.
- Add the sautéed sausage and vegetables to the dish, smoothing it out into an even layer.
- Spoon the remaining marinara sauce on top of the sausage layer.
- Bake the pizza bowl: Top with shredded mozzarella cheese and place the ramekin on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any possible spills. Bake for 10 minutes.
Pro Tip: If you’d like to add other ingredients like sliced black olives or mushrooms, add them before you add the cheese.
- Remove the pizza bowl from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before enjoying it.
Expert Tips
- Read through the entire recipe before beginning. This pizza bowl comes together quickly. Be sure to read through the recipe and gather your ingredients before starting.
- To make sure this pizza bowl is suitable for those following a keto diet make sure you use a tomato, pizza, or marinara sauce that does not contain sugar.
- Make a pizza dip by enjoying your bowl with a few slices of bread or crostini.
- Use an oven-safe bowl or ramekin. We recommend using a 10-ounce ramekin.
- If you use a larger or smaller dish than the one we recommend in this recipe, you may need to increase the amount of the toppings or decrease the amount.
Serving Suggestions
Let’s take this Pizza Bowl experience up a notch. Complement this dish with some tasty sides or drinks to make it a complete meal.
- Salad Sidekick: Pair your pizza bowl with a fresh Caesar salad to balance out the rich, cheesy flavors.
- Wine Pairing: A pizza bowl pairs beautifully with wine. Opt for a light red like Pinot Noir or a crisp white like Pinot Grigio to cut through the cheese and enhance the Italian sausage.
- Seasonal Fruit: End your meal on a lighter note with a serving of seasonal fruit or a refreshing Ambrosia. A little natural sweetness can balance the savory, cheesy goodness of your pizza bowl.
Storing And Reheating Your Pizza Bowl
Keep your leftover pizza bowl in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, simply reheat it in the microwave.
Frequently Asked Questions
I use a 10-ounce ramekin that measures 4-inches in diameter and is approximately 1 ¾-inches tall. For best results, use a baking dish of a similar size.
Yes, simply assemble, cover, and store in the fridge. Bake when you’re ready.
Yes. If you’d like to make pizza bowls for two, just double the ingredient amounts and divide the mixture between two 10-ounce ramekins or use a 5×5-inch baking dish with a base area of 25 square inches or a 4×6-inch baking dish with a base area of 24 square inches.
Absolutely, crustless pizza bowls are low-carb by nature. If you’re aiming for a keto-friendly version, opt for a marinara sauce that’s free from added sugars.
Absolutely! To make a microwave pizza bowl, follow the recipe as written and instead of placing the bowl in the oven, microwave it for 1 minute or until the cheese has melted.
Popular U.S. pizza chains like Marco’s Pizza and Papa John’s offer customizable pizza bowls. However, making a pizza bowl at home is incredibly simple, giving you total control over ingredients and flavors.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
For more information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.
For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.
If you’ve tried this easy pizza bowl recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
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Crustless Pizza Bowl For One
Watch How To Make This
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 4 ounces ground Italian sausage
- ¼ cup chopped onions
- ¼ cup chopped green bell peppers
- 1 clove garlic , minced
- 2 tablespoons marinara sauce , divided
- 5 slices pepperoni
- ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Optional: fresh basil for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C).
- Heat the oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the ground Italian sausage and break it apart with a spatula. Cook, stirring occasionally until the sausage has browned and has cooked through, about 5 minutes.
- Add chopped onions, chopped green bell peppers, and minced garlic to the pan and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently until the onions have softened. Using a slotted spoon, scoop the sausage and vegetables onto a paper towel-lined plate to drain off the grease.
- Coat the bottom of a 10-ounce ramekin with 1 tablespoon of marinara sauce.
- Line the bottom of the dish with the pepperoni slices.
- Add the sautéed sausage and vegetables to the dish, smoothing it out into an even layer.
- Spoon the remaining marinara sauce on top of the sausage layer.
- Top with shredded mozzarella cheese and place the ramekin on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any possible spills. Bake for 10 minutes.
- Remove the pizza bowl from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before enjoying it.
Notes
- Read through the entire recipe before beginning. This pizza bowl comes together quickly. Be sure to read through the recipe and gather your ingredients before starting.
- To make sure this pizza bowl is suitable for those following a keto diet make sure you use a tomato, pizza, or marinara sauce that does not contain sugar.
- Make a pizza dip by enjoying your bowl with a few slices of bread or crostini.
- Use an oven-safe bowl or ramekin. We recommend using a 10-ounce oven-safe ramekin.
- If you use a larger or smaller dish than the one we recommend in this recipe, you may need to increase the amount of the toppings or decrease the amount.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
What could be used instead of pepperoni? It just doesn’t agree with me.
Use your favorite pizza ingredients. Either add more vegetables or use cooked sausage instead of pepperoni.
Glad I found this recipe! Pizza is my all time favorite food, but the crust isn’t the best for my diabetes. So this crustless version means I can still enjoy my pizza. 🙂
I love that you can put your own likes in it and still have a pizza bowl!
So easy to make! Great taste!
Terrific recipe.