15-Minute Low Carb Pizza Bowls

These low carb pizza bowls give you all the cheesy, saucy flavor of pizza without the crust.

They come together in about 15 minutes with just a handful of ingredients, making them a perfect weeknight fix when a pizza craving hits.

What Makes These Pizza Bowls So Good

I keep coming back to this recipe because it actually satisfies a real pizza craving. The cheese gets bubbly and golden at the edges, and the pepperoni crisps up just like on a baked pie. There is no crust, so every forkful delivers all the toppings you love.

It’s also endlessly flexible: whatever pizza toppings you have on hand, they’ll work here.

Ingredients

• 1 cup shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese: use full-fat for the best melt and stretch
• 1/4 cup no-sugar-added pizza sauce: check labels to avoid added sugars
• 1/4 cup cooked crumbled Italian sausage: optional; use ground beef or skip for vegetarian
• 6 slices pepperoni
• 2 tbsp sliced black olives
• 2 tbsp diced green bell pepper
• 1/4 tsp dried Italian seasoning: (optional)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh basil leaves for garnish: (optional)

Variations and Substitutions

• Protein: swap the sausage for cooked ground chicken, turkey, or diced ham. Double up on pepperoni for a simpler version.
• Vegetables: use sliced mushrooms, red onion, or jalapeños in place of or in addition to peppers and olives. Sauté mushrooms first to avoid excess water.
• Sauce: try pesto or Alfredo for a different flavor, just keep an eye on the carb count.
• Dairy-free: you can use a dairy-free mozzarella, but the melt will be less gooey.

Keto Alfredo Sauce is the sauce we like to serve with these bowls.

How to Make Low Carb Pizza Bowls

Step 1: Layer the Cheese and Sauce

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In an oven-safe bowl or 8-oz ramekin, spread half of the 1 cup mozzarella cheese across the bottom. Spoon the 1/4 cup pizza sauce over the cheese, then scatter the 1/4 cup sausage, 6 pepperoni slices, 2 tbsp olives, and 2 tbsp bell pepper evenly on top. Sprinkle with the 1/4 tsp Italian seasoning and a pinch of salt and pepper, then finish with the remaining mozzarella.

Step 2: Bake the Bowls

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and just starting to brown at the edges. The sauce will peek through in spots, and the pepperoni will crisp up a bit.

Step 3: Finish with Fresh Basil

Let the bowl cool for 2 minutes (it will be piping hot), then top with fresh basil leaves and a crack of black pepper. Serve right away while the cheese is still stretchy.

A Few Notes for the Best Pizza Bowls

• Use freshly shredded mozzarella. Pre-shredded cheese often contains starch that can make the melt grainy.
• If you add watery vegetables like fresh mushrooms or tomatoes, cook them briefly first to drive off moisture; otherwise the bowl can turn soupy.
• A quick finish under the broiler for 1 minute gives you those irresistible browned cheese spots, but watch closely so it doesn’t burn.
• Assemble the bowls up to a day ahead and refrigerate them, then add 2 extra minutes to the bake time when you’re ready to eat.

You can easily double or quadruple this recipe:

Storing and Reheating Leftover Pizza Bowls

• Refrigerate: store any leftover pizza bowl in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Reheating: warm in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes, or place in a 350°F oven for 5 to 7 minutes until heated through. The cheese won’t be as stretchy after reheating, but it’ll still taste great.

What to Serve With Pizza Bowls

Serve these pizza bowls with a crisp green salad dressed in a simple vinaigrette to cut through the richness. Roasted broccoli or garlicky sautéed spinach also make great low-carb sides. For a family where not everyone is low-carb, offer a side of garlic bread on the side.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this in the microwave?

Yes, assemble the bowl in a microwave-safe dish and microwave on high for 1 to 2 minutes, until the cheese melts. The pepperoni won’t crisp up, but it’s still tasty.

Can I use regular pizza sauce?

You can, though it will raise the carb count. Look for a sauce with no added sugar to keep this low carb.

Is this recipe keto?

Yes, if you use a sugar-free sauce and avoid high-carb toppings, it fits easily into a keto diet.

Can I use a different type of cheese?

Sure. Provolone, fontina, or a mix of Italian melting cheeses all work well. Just make sure it’s a cheese that melts smoothly.

Low Carb Pizza Bowls Recipe

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Servings: 1 servings

Calories: 515

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup no-sugar-added pizza sauce
• 1/4 cup cooked crumbled Italian sausage (optional)
• 6 slices pepperoni
• 2 tbsp sliced black olives
• 2 tbsp diced green bell pepper
• 1/4 tsp dried Italian seasoning (optional)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). In an oven-safe bowl, spread half the mozzarella, then layer sauce, sausage, pepperoni, olives, bell pepper, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and remaining mozzarella.
2. Bake 10 to 12 minutes until cheese is bubbly and edges begin to brown.
3. Cool 2 minutes, garnish with fresh basil, and serve immediately.

Notes

All topping quantities are flexible, so feel free to pile on your favorites as long as they fit in the bowl. Let the baked bowl rest briefly before digging in, the cheese stays molten for a few minutes.