Crustless Pizza Bowl

A Crustless Pizza Bowl is the perfect low-carb, high-flavor solution for when you’re craving pizza but not the extra calories or gluten. It’s deconstructed pizza in a bowl—essentially a cheesy, saucy, pepperoni-topped skillet bake that you eat with a spoon (or with low-carb dippers!).

Here is a simple and delicious recipe for one, which you can easily scale up.

Crustless Pizza Bowl

This recipe is for a single, hearty serving. It’s ready in about 10 minutes and is incredibly satisfying.

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb (225g) hot Italian sausage (casings removed) or ground beef

• 1/4 cup (60ml) sugar-free marinara or pizza sauce (plus a little extra for topping)

• 1/4 cup (28g) shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese

• 2 tablespoons (14g) shredded provolone or fontina cheese

• 8-10 slices of pepperoni

• Optional Toppings: Sliced black olives, sautéed mushrooms, chopped bell peppers, red onion slices, banana peppers, a sprinkle of Parmesan, dried oregano, red pepper flakes.

Instructions

1. Brown the Meat: In a small, oven-safe skillet (like an 8-inch cast-iron skillet) over medium-high heat, cook the Italian sausage. Break it up with a spoon as it browns, until it’s cooked through and slightly crispy on the edges (about 5-7 minutes). If you’re adding any other veggies like peppers or mushrooms, you can sauté them in the pan with the meat for the last 2 minutes of cooking. Drain any excess fat if necessary.

2. Add the Sauce: Reduce the heat to low. Spoon the marinara sauce over the cooked meat and stir to combine. Spread it into an even layer.

3. Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and provolone evenly over the sauce and meat.

4. Add the Pepperoni: Arrange the pepperoni slices on top of the cheese. Add any other toppings you like, such as olives or banana peppers.

5. Melt the Cheese (Two Options):

   • Oven/Broiler: Preheat your oven’s broiler. Place the skillet on a middle rack and broil for 2-3 minutes, watching very closely, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the pepperoni is crispy around the edges.

   • Stovetop: If your skillet has a lid, you can cover it and cook over low heat for 3-5 minutes, until the cheese is completely melted. (The broiler method is best for getting the pepperoni crispy).

6. Finish and Serve: Carefully remove the skillet from the oven (the handle will be hot!). Garnish with a small dollop of extra sauce, a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes if desired. Let it cool for a minute or two, then serve it right in the hot skillet.

Tips and Variations

• Scaling Up: To serve a crowd, simply multiply the ingredients. Use a larger oven-safe skillet (like a 10 or 12-inch) or even a 9×9 baking dish. Cook the meat in the pan first, then add sauce, cheese, and toppings and bake in a 400°F (200°C) oven for about 10-15 minutes, until bubbly and hot.

• Make it Low-Carb/Keto: This recipe is naturally low-carb if you use a sugar-free marinara sauce. Serve it with celery sticks, pork rinds, or low-carb bread for dipping.

• Meat Options: Try it with ground beef, ground turkey, or even chopped cooked chicken. For a spicier version, use hot Italian sausage or add some chopped jalapeños.

• Dip It: Even though it’s a “bowl,” it’s fantastic with things to dip in the cheesy meat sauce. Try it with:

  • Breadsticks or crusty bread (if you’re not avoiding carbs)

  • Celery sticks (for a low-carb crunch)

  • Pork rinds (the “chicharrones” are a surprisingly perfect keto dipper)

  • Low-carb tortillas that have been cut into wedges and baked or fried until crisp.

Enjoy your fun, customizable, and deeply satisfying pizza fix