Low-Carb Crustless Pizza Bowls
All the cheesy, saucy goodness of pizza without the crust. These easy pizza bowls are loaded with seasoned meat, vegetables, marinara, mozzarella, and pepperoni, then baked until bubbling and golden.Servings: 4
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20–25 minutes
Total time: About 40 minutes
Ingredients
Pizza bowls
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ small onion, finely diced
- 1 small bell pepper, diced
- 8 oz (225 g) mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ cups (360 g) low-sugar marinara or pizza sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1½ cups (170 g) shredded mozzarella
- ½ cup (50 g) sliced or chopped pepperoni
- ¼ cup (25 g) grated Parmesan
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or basil
Optional toppings
- Black olives
- Jalapeños
- Cooked bacon
- Diced ham
- Spinach
- Zucchini
- Red pepper flakes
- Extra mozzarella
1. Preheat the oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Lightly grease four oven-safe ramekins or small baking dishes.
2. Brown the meat
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the ground beef or Italian sausage.
Cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking it apart as it cooks, until browned and fully cooked.
Drain excess grease if needed.
3. Cook the vegetables
Add the onion, bell pepper, and mushrooms to the skillet.
Cook for 5–7 minutes, until the vegetables soften and most of their moisture has cooked away.
Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
4. Season the filling
Stir in:
- Italian seasoning
- Oregano
- Garlic powder
- Black pepper
- Salt
Mix thoroughly.
Pour in the marinara sauce and stir.
Simmer for 2–3 minutes.
Taste and adjust the seasoning.
5. Build the pizza bowls
Divide the meat mixture among the prepared ramekins.
Top each with:
- Mozzarella
- Pepperoni
- Parmesan
Add any additional toppings you like.
For an extra-cheesy bowl, reserve a little mozzarella for the final few minutes of baking.
6. Bake
Place the bowls on a baking sheet.
Bake uncovered for 12–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
For a golden, browned top, switch to broil for 1–2 minutes at the end.
Watch closely—the cheese can brown very quickly.
7. Rest and serve
Let the pizza bowls rest for 5 minutes.
Sprinkle with fresh basil or parsley and a little red pepper flakes.
Serve hot.
Supreme Pizza Bowls
Add:
- Black olives
- Mushrooms
- Bell peppers
- Onion
- Pepperoni
- Italian sausage
This gives you all the flavors of a supreme pizza without the crust.
Chicken Pizza Bowls
Replace the ground beef with 3 cups cooked diced chicken.
Add spinach, mushrooms, mozzarella, and pepperoni.
For a creamy version, stir 2 tablespoons cream cheese into the sauce before assembling.
Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza Bowls
Use ground beef as the base.
Add:
- Cooked crumbled bacon
- Cheddar cheese
- Mozzarella
- Pickles, added after baking
- A little diced onion
Replace some of the marinara with a small amount of sugar-free ketchup for a cheeseburger-inspired flavor.
Meat Lovers Pizza Bowls
Use a combination of:
- Italian sausage
- Ground beef
- Pepperoni
- Cooked bacon
Top generously with mozzarella and Parmesan.
Because the meats already add plenty of salt and fat, taste the filling before adding extra salt.
Vegetarian Pizza Bowls
Skip the meat and use:
- Mushrooms
- Bell peppers
- Zucchini
- Spinach
- Olives
- Onion
Sauté the vegetables well before adding the sauce so the finished bowls don’t become watery.
Creamy Garlic Pizza Bowls
For a white-pizza version, replace the marinara with:
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 oz (55 g) cream cheese
- ½ cup Parmesan
- 2 cloves garlic
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
Simmer until thick and creamy.
Add chicken, spinach, mushrooms, and mozzarella.
Make-Ahead
Prepare the meat and vegetable mixture up to 2 days ahead.
Store it refrigerated.
When ready to eat, divide it into ramekins, add the cheese and toppings, and bake until hot and bubbling.
Storage
Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
Reheat in the microwave or in a 350°F (175°C) oven until heated through.
Low-Carb Tip
The biggest source of carbohydrates in these bowls is usually the pizza/marinara sauce and vegetables rather than the meat or cheese. Choose a no-added-sugar or low-carb sauce and check the nutrition label.
The result is a satisfying cheesy, saucy, meaty pizza experience with crispy pepperoni edges and no crust required.
