A delicious, cheesy pizza-inspired dinner without the crust! This Low-Carb Crustless Pizza Bowl combines seasoned ground beef, pepperoni, marinara sauce, vegetables, and plenty of melted cheese. It comes together quickly and is perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal.
Ingredients
For the Pizza Bowl
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup bell pepper, diced
- ½ cup mushrooms, sliced
- ½ cup low-sugar or no-sugar-added marinara sauce
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ½ cup sliced pepperoni, cut into smaller pieces
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
Optional Toppings
- Sliced black olives
- Diced bell peppers
- Mushrooms
- Jalapeño slices
- Fresh basil
- Chopped parsley
- Extra Parmesan
- Extra mozzarella
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Lightly grease 4 oven-safe individual bowls or ramekins. You can also use one medium-sized baking dish.
2. Brown the beef
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the diced onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened.
Add the ground beef and cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until browned and fully cooked.
Drain excess grease if necessary.
3. Add the vegetables
Add the garlic, bell pepper, and mushrooms.
Cook for another 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften slightly.
4. Season
Add:
- Italian seasoning
- Oregano
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Black pepper
- Salt
- Red pepper flakes, if using
Stir well so the seasonings coat the beef and vegetables.
5. Add marinara and pepperoni
Stir in the marinara sauce and chopped pepperoni.
Simmer for 2–3 minutes so the flavors combine.
Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
6. Assemble the pizza bowls
Divide the beef mixture evenly between the prepared oven-safe bowls.
Top each bowl with shredded mozzarella and Parmesan.
Add a few extra pepperoni pieces on top if desired.
7. Bake
Place the bowls on a baking sheet and bake for 8–12 minutes, until the cheese is completely melted and bubbling.
For a more golden top, switch the oven to broil for 1–2 minutes, watching carefully.
8. Rest and serve
Remove from the oven and let the bowls cool for 3–5 minutes.
Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and serve warm.
Serving Ideas
Serve your pizza bowl with:
- Green salad
- Cucumber and tomato salad
- Roasted broccoli
- Garlic sautéed spinach
- Steamed vegetables
- A simple Caesar-style salad
Easy Variations
Chicken Pizza Bowl
Replace the ground beef with cooked diced chicken.
Supreme Pizza Bowl
Add mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, onions, and pepperoni.
Vegetarian Pizza Bowl
Skip the meat and add mushrooms, spinach, bell peppers, zucchini, and olives.
Spicy Pizza Bowl
Add jalapeños and extra red pepper flakes.
Four-Cheese Pizza Bowl
Combine mozzarella, Parmesan, provolone, and a small amount of cheddar.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
Reheat in the microwave until hot, or place in an oven-safe dish and warm at 350°F (175°C) until heated through.
Q&A
Q: Is this pizza bowl crustless?
Yes. It has all the classic pizza-inspired flavors without a traditional pizza crust.
Q: Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Yes. Ground turkey works well as a lighter alternative.
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes. Prepare the meat mixture ahead, refrigerate it, then add the cheese and bake when ready.
Q: Can I use homemade marinara sauce?
Absolutely. Homemade tomato sauce works very well.
Q: Can I use different cheese?
Yes. Provolone, cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a pizza cheese blend can be used along with or instead of mozzarella.
Q: Can I make one large pizza bowl instead of individual bowls?
Yes. Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish, top with cheese, and bake until hot and bubbly.
Q: How do I keep the bowl from becoming watery?
Drain excess grease from the beef and avoid adding watery vegetables or too much sauce. If using mushrooms, cook them until their excess moisture evaporates.
Quick Recipe Summary
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
Total Time: About 30–35 minutes
Servings: 4
Difficulty: Easy
Pro Tip
For the best pizza-like flavor, let the cheese get deeply melted and lightly golden on top, then finish with fresh basil or parsley right before serving.