Indulge your love for pizza in a healthier way with this cottage cheese pizza bowl! Replace the regular crust with a mix of cottage cheese and marinara sauce to cut the carbs and boost the protein. The creamy cottage cheese mixture provides a satisfying base, perfectly complementing the bold flavors of your favorite toppings. Whether you prefer vegetables, savory meats, or a mix of both, the possibilities are endless. Top it all off with a generous sprinkle of mozzarella for that gooey, melted goodness. Within minutes you can turn your pizza craving into a nutritious and tasty pizza bowl!
Why You Will Love This Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowl
- You taste the delicious flavors of pizza.
- It is low-carb since there is no bread, dough, or crust.
- This recipe is easy to make! It only takes a few minutes to prepare and cooks quickly.
- You only need three main ingredients to make this recipe.
- It’s easier to make than pizza with the same crave-worthy flavors.
- The cottage cheese makes this a high-protein pizza bowl.
- This recipe makes an individual serving.
- You can customize this pizza bowl with your favorite sauce, cheese, and toppings.
What Is A Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowl?
A cottage cheese pizza bowl is a creative and healthier alternative to traditional pizza. It consists of cottage cheese mixed with marinara sauce and other seasonings such as garlic powder and Italian herbs. Then, the mixture is transferred to a ramekin or baking dish and topped with cheese. From there, you can bake or microwave the pizza bowl to warm it and melt the cheese. The creation went viral on TikTok, and we have put our spin on it. You can easily customize your pizza bowl by adding your favorite pizza toppings. This recipe is great because you get the mouthwatering flavors of pizza, and it is high-protein and low-carb.
Ingredients Needed For Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowls
- Cottage Cheese: You can use fat-free, full-fat, or low-fat cottage cheese in this recipe.
- Marinara Sauce: Use your favorite marinara sauce or pizza sauce. We love using our homemade marinara sauce or slow cooker tomato sauce.
- Garlic Powder: Add garlic powder for flavor.
- Oregano: Oregano adds another layer of flavor.
- Basil: Dried basil adds even more flavor.
- Cheese: Top your cottage cheese pizza bowl with your favorite pizza cheese. We used light mozzarella cheese.
How To Make A Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowl
Step 1: Add the cottage cheese, marinara sauce, garlic powder, oregano, and dried basil to a bowl. Then, thoroughly mix these ingredients.
Step 2: Add the mixed ingredients to an oven-safe ramekin or baking dish.
Step 3: Sprinkle the cheese over the ingredients in the ramekin. After that, sprinkle some oregano over top.
Step 4: Place the ramekin on a baking sheet and bake the pizza bowl. As an option, broil for an additional one to two minutes.
Step 5: Carefully remove the ramekin from the oven, let it slightly cool, and enjoy this cottage cheese pizza bowl warm.
How Long To Cook Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowls
In The Oven
Bake this cottage cheese pizza bowl in the oven at 350°F for 10-12 minutes. You can broil for an additional one to two minutes or until the cheese is all bubbly and golden brown.
In The Microwave
For a super quick option, you can cook your cottage cheese pizza bowl in the microwave instead. Use a microwave safe bowl, ramekin, or dish that holds at least six ounces so there is enough room. Then, microwave the pizza bowl in 30-second intervals and stir. Microwave it for a maximum of 1 minute and 30 seconds total. It is done when the cheese melts and the pizza bowl is warm.
Mix-Ins And Topping Ideas
There are so many ways to customize this cottage cheese pizza bowl. Before cooking the pizza bowl mix in your favorite toppings or add them on top. Here are some topping and flavor ideas:
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Oregano
- Fresh chopped basil or dried basil
- Chopped salami
- Pepperoni
- Turkey pepperoni
- Sliced mushrooms
- Cooked chopped bacon or turkey bacon
- Mix in some fully-cooked shredded chicken
- Onions
- Cooked chopped chicken sausage or Italian sausage
- Chopped tomatoes
- Black olives
- Bell peppers
Serving Suggestions
There are so many ways to serve this cottage cheese pizza bowl! Here are some serving suggestions:
- Vegetables: Dip your favorite fresh vegetables in this pizza bowl.
- Dippers: Serve it as a cottage cheese pizza dip and enjoy it with tortilla chips, pita chips, or your favorite chips.
- Crackers: You can serve with your favorite crackers.
- Out Of The Bowl: Enjoy the cottage cheese pizza bowl out of the bowl with a spoon.
- Bread: Dip toasted bread in the pizza bowl.
Expert Tips
- Enjoy Warm: Enjoy this pizza bowl warm after making it. After cooking your cottage cheese pizza bowl, carefully remove it from the oven, let the ramekin cool slightly, and enjoy.
- Broil: You can place the cottage cheese pizza bowl under the broiler for one to two minutes to make the cheese bubbly and golden brown.
- Vegetarian: You can make this pizza bowl vegetarian by only using vegetables or by following our original recipe.
- Add More Protein: You can add more protein to this pizza bowl by adding cooked meats such as shredded chicken, sausage, or pepperoni.
- Make More Servings: This recipe makes an individual serving. You can double or triple this recipe to make more. Cook it in individual oven-safe ramekins or a large baking dish.
Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowl Variations
- Cheese Options: Top this pizza bowl with your favorite pizza cheese before baking it. Some options are light shredded mozzarella cheese, a pizza cheese blend, cheddar cheese, provolone, freshly grated parmesan cheese, a combination of cheeses, or your favorite.
- What Sauce To Use: Mix the cottage cheese with your favorite pizza sauce or marinara sauce. Use a high-quality sauce with natural ingredients and a rich flavor.
- Seasonings: You can adjust the seasonings based on what you have on hand. You can use 1/4 teaspoon of an Italian seasoning blend instead of oregano and basil if you have it. Also, for some onion flavor, add 1/8 teaspoon of onion powder.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Size Ramekin Or Baking Dish Should I Use?
Use a small oven-safe ramekin or baking dish that is at least 4 ounces in size. You don’t need a large ramekin or baking dish because this recipe makes a single serving.
Can I Add More Toppings?
Yes, you can add more toppings to this pizza bowl and customize it to your liking. We added oregano, basil, and crushed red pepper flakes. Some additions you could mix in before baking the pizza bowl are pepperoni, salami, chopped bell peppers, or your favorite pizza toppings.
Do I Have To Blend The Cottage Cheese?
No, you don’t have to blend the cottage cheese. Just mix the cottage cheese with the marinara sauce and seasonings and sprinkle the pizza cheese on top. It’s that simple! However, if you don’t like the texture of cottage cheese and prefer it whipped, you can blend it in a blender or food processor.
Is A Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowl Healthy?
Yes, this cottage cheese pizza bowl recipe is healthy. It is balanced and is a lighter option than traditional pizza. This pizza bowl is packed with protein from cottage cheese. Also, it is made with a few simple ingredients, such as marinara sauce, cottage cheese, pizza cheese, and seasonings. This pizza bowl is crustless, making it low-carb.
Can I Meal Prep Pizza Bowls?
You most likely won’t have any leftovers since this is a single-serve recipe. However, if you have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container for 1-2 days and reheat them in the microwave or oven. Also, you can meal prep these pizza bowls. Assemble the pizza bowls in individual oven-safe airtight containers. Then, store them in the refrigerator for up to two days. When ready to serve, cook them in the oven and enjoy!
More Recipes To Try Next!
- Cottage Cheese Queso
- Protein Pizza Recipe
- Pizza Toast
- Cottage Cheese Toast
- Viral Cottage Cheese Ice Cream
- Ranch Cottage Cheese Dip
If you try this recipe please be sure to leave us a comment and star rating ★★★★★ letting us know how it turns out for you.
Nutrition Facts
1 servings per container
- Amount Per ServingCalories89
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat
2.5g
4%
- Saturated Fat 1.3g 5%
- Cholesterol 12mg 4%
- Sodium 351mg 15%
- Potassium 8mg 1%
- Total Carbohydrate
4.9g
2%
- Dietary Fiber 0.4g 0%
- Sugars 3.9g
- Protein 7.9g 15%
* The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.