low-carb crustless pizza bowl

Enjoy all the cheesy, savoury flavours of pizza without making a crust! This crustless pizza bowl layers seasoned meat, rich pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and your favourite toppings in one delicious dish.

It’s easy to customise, naturally low in carbohydrates, and perfect for a quick lunch or dinner.

Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 15–20 minutes Servings: 2 Total time: About 30 minutes

Ingredients

For the pizza bowl

• 250 g ground beef or chicken

• ½ cup sugar-free pizza sauce or marinara sauce

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

• ¼ cup sliced pepperoni (optional)

• ¼ cup chopped bell pepper

• ¼ cup sliced mushrooms

• ¼ tsp garlic powder

• ½ tsp Italian seasoning

• ¼ tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp olive oil, if needed

Optional toppings

• 2 tbsp sliced black olives

• 2 tbsp grated Parmesan

• A pinch of chilli flakes

• Fresh basil or oregano

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the meat

1. Heat a frying pan over medium heat.

2. Add the ground beef or chicken. If using very lean meat, add a little olive oil.

3. Break the meat into small pieces with a wooden spoon.

4. Add garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and black pepper.

5. Cook until the meat is thoroughly cooked, with no pink remaining. Ground beef should reach 71°C (160°F), while ground chicken should reach 74°C (165°F).

6. Drain excess fat if desired.

Step 2: Cook the vegetables

1. Add the chopped bell pepper and sliced mushrooms to the pan.

2. Cook for 3–4 minutes until slightly softened.

3. Stir in the pepperoni, if using.

4. Add the pizza sauce and mix well.

5. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until everything is hot and the sauce thickens slightly.

Step 3: Assemble the pizza bowls

1. Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).

2. Divide the meat and sauce mixture between two oven-safe bowls.

3. Sprinkle the mozzarella evenly over each bowl.

4. Add olives, Parmesan, or extra pepperoni on top if desired.

Step 4: Bake until bubbly

1. Place the bowls on a baking tray.

2. Bake for 8–10 minutes, until the cheese melts and bubbles.

3. For a golden top, switch to the grill or broiler for 1–2 minutes, watching carefully.

4. Allow to cool for 2–3 minutes before serving.

Easy microwave method

If you don’t want to use an oven:

1. Cook the meat and vegetables completely in a frying pan.

2. Stir in the pizza sauce.

3. Transfer to a microwave-safe bowl and cover with mozzarella.

4. Microwave for 1–2 minutes, checking every 30 seconds, until the cheese is melted and the filling is hot.

Tips for the best pizza bowl

• Choose a low-sugar sauce: Some commercial pizza sauces contain added sugar and more carbohydrates.

• Use freshly grated mozzarella: It usually melts more smoothly than some pre-shredded cheeses.

• Avoid watery vegetables: Cook mushrooms first to release excess moisture.

• Add extra flavour: A little Parmesan, garlic, and Italian seasoning makes the bowl taste more like traditional pizza.

• Make it your own: Use cooked sausage, leftover roast chicken, or extra vegetables instead of ground meat.

Variations

• Supreme pizza bowl: Add pepperoni, mushrooms, olives, and bell peppers.

• Chicken Alfredo pizza bowl: Use cooked chicken, a little Alfredo sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan instead of tomato sauce.

• Vegetarian pizza bowl: Replace the meat with mushrooms, zucchini, spinach, and extra cheese.

• Spicy pizza bowl: Add jalapeños, chilli flakes, and spicy pepperoni.

Approximate nutrition

For one serving, assuming the recipe is divided into two portions and uses ground beef, mozzarella, vegetables, and low-sugar pizza sauce:

Actual values depend on the meat, cheese, sauce, and toppings. For a strict low-carb or ketogenic diet, check the labels on your pizza sauce and pepperoni.

Storage

• Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.

• Reheating: Microwave in short intervals until piping hot, or reheat in the oven at 175°C (350°F).

• Meal prep: Cook the meat and vegetable mixture ahead of time, refrigerate it, and add fresh cheese just before baking.

Serving suggestion: Enjoy your pizza bowl on its own or with a crisp green salad. You get the gooey cheese, tangy tomato sauce, and classic pizza toppings without the traditional crust! 🍕