Are you craving the cheesy, savory goodness of pizza but sticking to a low-carb lifestyle? You’ve come to the right place. This Low Carb Pizza Bowl recipe delivers all the classic pizza flavor you love—gooey melted cheese, seasoned meats, and your favorite toppings—all without the crust and carbs. It’s the perfect solution for a quick weeknight dinner that satisfies everyone.
This simple recipe is designed for busy home cooks who want delicious, healthy meals without the fuss. In just under 30 minutes, you can have a bubbling, delicious pizza bowl on the table. It’s a family-friendly dish that is as fun to make as it is to eat.
Why You’ll Love This Low Carb Pizza Bowl
- Incredibly Fast: From start to finish, this entire meal is ready in less than 30 minutes. It’s perfect for those busy weeknights when you need a satisfying meal without the long wait.
- Completely Customizable: Just like a traditional pizza, you can load this bowl with all your favorite toppings. Keep it simple with pepperoni or create a supreme version with all the fixings.
- Keto-Friendly & Healthy: Packed with protein and healthy fats, this recipe is naturally low in carbohydrates, making it an ideal choice for anyone following a keto or low-carb diet.
- Family-Approved: Even the pickiest eaters will love this dish. It’s a fantastic way to get kids to eat more vegetables, and they can even help customize their own bowls.
The Essential Ingredients
The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity. You only need a few core ingredients to create the perfect base for your low carb pizza bowl.
- Italian Sausage: Use a quality ground Italian sausage for a robust, savory flavor. Hot or mild both work great.
- Pepperoni: A pizza classic! Choose your favorite pepperoni slices to add that signature taste.
- Low-Carb Marinara Sauce: Look for a sauce with no added sugar to keep the carb count down. Raos is a popular choice.
- Mozzarella Cheese: For the best melt, use whole milk, low-moisture mozzarella that you shred yourself. Pre-shredded cheese often contains starches that can add carbs.
- Vegetables: We’re using bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms for a classic “supreme” flavor, but feel free to use your favorites.
- Seasoning: A little Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes bring all the flavors together.
Step-by-Step: How to Make a Perfect Pizza Bowl
Follow these simple steps to create a delicious and satisfying meal. This process is straightforward and guarantees a perfect result every time.
1. Brown the Meats
In a large oven-safe skillet, cook the ground Italian sausage over medium-high heat until it’s browned and cooked through. Drain any excess grease. Add the pepperoni slices to the skillet and cook for another minute until they start to crisp up slightly.
2. Sauté the Veggies
Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and sliced mushrooms to the same skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables have softened. Stir in the garlic powder and Italian seasoning.
3. Assemble and Bake
Pour the low-carb marinara sauce over the meat and vegetable mixture and stir everything together until well combined. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Arrange a few more pepperoni slices on top of the cheese if desired. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and starting to brown. For a crispier top, you can switch to the broiler for the last 1-2 minutes—just watch it carefully!
Topping Ideas and Delicious Variations
One of the best parts of this low carb pizza bowl is its versatility. You can customize it with any of your favorite pizza toppings. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Meat Lover’s: Add cooked bacon, ground beef, and ham.
- Supreme: Include black olives and the classic veggie mix.
- Veggie Delight: Skip the meat and load up on spinach, artichoke hearts, and zucchini.
- White Pizza Bowl: Swap the marinara for a delicious creamy white garlic sauce (coming soon).
Expert Tips for the Best Crustless Pizza Bowl
- Drain the Grease: To prevent a greasy pizza bowl, make sure to thoroughly drain the fat from the Italian sausage after browning.
- Use Freshly Shredded Cheese: For the ultimate cheesy pull, shred your own block of low-moisture, whole milk mozzarella. It melts much better than the pre-shredded kind.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Use a large skillet to ensure the meat and vegetables brown properly instead of steaming.
Meal Prep and Storage Instructions
This recipe is perfect for meal prep. You can assemble the bowls ahead of time and store them in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When you’re ready to eat, simply bake as directed. This makes it just as convenient as other great make-ahead dishes like our Philly Cheesesteak Casserole (coming soon). Leftovers can be stored in the fridge and reheated in the microwave or oven.
What to Serve with Your Pizza Bowl
This Low Carb Pizza Bowl is a complete meal on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with a simple side. A crisp green salad with a vinaigrette dressing is a perfect complement. For another healthy vegetable side, try serving it with some perfectly roasted brussels sprouts (coming soon).
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! This recipe is excellent for meal prep. You can fully cook and assemble the pizza bowls in individual airtight containers and store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Simply reheat in the oven or microwave.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, you can microwave it for 1-2 minutes or, for best results, bake it in an oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through and the cheese is re-melted.
Yes, this pizza bowl is designed to be keto-friendly. By using a no-sugar-added marinara sauce and low-carb toppings like meat and vegetables, the net carb count remains very low, making it a perfect meal for a ketogenic diet.
The best sauce is a marinara or pizza sauce with no added sugar. Always check the nutrition label for hidden sugars and carbohydrates. Brands like Rao’s Homemade are popular choices in the keto community for their low carb count and clean ingredients.
You can use almost any traditional pizza topping that is low in carbs. Great options include pepperoni, sausage, bacon, mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, black olives, and extra cheese. Avoid high-carb items like pineapple.
Enjoy Your Delicious Creation!
This Low Carb Pizza Bowl is sure to become a new favorite in your recipe rotation. It’s the perfect way to enjoy the flavors of pizza while sticking to your health goals. If you make this recipe, we’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below or share a picture on Pinterest and tag us.
Low Carb Pizza Bowl Recipe
Low Carb Pizza Bowl: The Ultimate 30-Minute Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large oven-safe skillet, cook the ground Italian sausage over medium-high heat until browned. Drain excess grease. Add most of the pepperoni and cook for 1 minute until crisp.
- Add the bell pepper, onion, and mushrooms to the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes until softened. Stir in the Italian seasoning and garlic powder.
- Stir in the low-carb marinara sauce until everything is well combined.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the mixture. Top with the remaining pepperoni slices. Bake for 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Broil for 1-2 minutes for a golden-brown top, if desired.
Notes
Tip 2: Feel free to add other low-carb vegetables like black olives, spinach, or zucchini to customize your bowl.
