Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowl

Name: Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowl
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 cup cottage cheese (low-fat or full-fat, your choice); 1/2-1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or mixed herbs); 4 tablespoons marinara sauce (sugar-free or your favorite brand); 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese; 20 slices pepperoni or any preferred topping (like cooked chicken, olives, or mushrooms); Salt flakes and black pepper (to taste); Fresh basil leaves or chilli flakes for garnish (optional)

Who needs crust when you have this super easy and delicious cottage cheese pizza bowl? Packed with pizza flavour, protein, and endless topping options, it’s the perfect way to satisfy cravings without the carbs. Plus, it’s ready in just minutes! That's a big win for me!

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A close up picture of melted cheese and olives in a white bowl with fresh basil to the right.

In This Post You'll Learn:

Why I Love This Recipe

Quick & Easy: Ready in under 15 minutes.

Customisable: Choose your favorite pizza toppings.

High Protein & Low Carb: Perfect for keto and balanced meals.

Minimal Cleanup: All the pizza flavour without the mess of making dough.

What is a Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowl

Who needs crust when you have this delicious super easy cottage cheese pizza bowl? Packed with pizza flavour, protein, and endless topping options, it’s the perfect way to satisfy pizza cravings without the carbs. Plus, it’s ready in just minutes! That’s a huge win for me.

This recipe is a protein-packed, low-carb twist on traditional pizza, ideal for those who love pizza without the heavy crust. Think of it as a layered bowl of creamy cottage cheese, tangy pizza sauce, melty mozzarella, and your favorite toppings. Whether baked, air-fried, or microwaved, this crustless pizza is quick, versatile, and so easy to make.

Even though I’m not one to jump on viral TikTok recipe food trends, I couldn’t resist trying this after seeing cottage cheese recipes take over my social feeds. Spoiler: it’s a keeper!

Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowl ingredients in small bowls and labelled so you know what they are.

The Ingredients

Cottage Cheese: Choose full fat cottage cheese for creaminess or low-fat for a lighter option. If you don’t like the texture, use blended cottage cheese.
Pizza Sauce: Opt for sugar-free brands or make your own marinara sauce to keep it keto. Swap with pesto or Alfredo sauce for different flavors.
Mozzarella Cheese: Pre-shredded mozzarella works well, but freshly grated melts better. Try cheddar or gouda for variety. Mix the half cup mozzarella cheese with parmesan cheese for more flavour.
Toppings: Get creative! Use what you love—crumbled bacon, jalapeños, or even anchovies. I love bacon and pepperoni, but literally you can use what you love or what you need to use up in the fridge.
Italian Seasoning: Add a pinch of smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, or chili powder for a spicy kick.

How To Make Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowls

A bowl with cottage cheese and passata in it surrounded by pizza toppings.

Oven or Air Fryer Method

Preheat oven or air fryer to 160°C fan/180°C static/350°F.
In two oven-safe bowls, spread cottage cheese evenly on the bottom.
Mix half the Italian seasoning into the cottage cheese.
Layer with pizza sauce, shredded mozzarella, and your chosen toppings.
Sprinkle with the remaining seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Bake for 8–10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Garnish with fresh basil or chili flakes and serve warm.

Microwave Method

Add garnishes and serve immediately.
Layer cottage cheese in two heat-safe bowls.
Mix half the seasoning into the cottage cheese.
Top with pizza sauce, mozzarella, and desired toppings.
Microwave each bowl on high for 30 seconds to 1 minute until the cheese melts.

What to Serve with Cottage Cheese Bowls

This cottage cheese bowl recipe is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with:

Side Salad: Pair it with a fresh Shopska Salad or Keto Coleslaw for added crunch.

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Keto Flatbread: Perfect for dipping into the sauce and cheese. Or try a sloppy joe style sandwich with low carb bread.

Roasted Vegetables: Add some fibre and flavour with roasted broccoli, zucchini, or asparagus.

Best Ways for Storing

If making ahead, store components separately to keep them fresh. Here’s how:

Veggies: Keep chopped veggies in a zip-lock bag with a paper towel to absorb moisture.
Assemble the salad just before serving to maintain the best texture and flavour.

Chicken and Eggs: Store in airtight containers for up to 3 days.

Cottage Cheese Mixture: Store in a separate container for up to 2 days.

Variations

Classic Pepperoni: Stick with the original recipe using pepperoni slices or turkey pepperoni (love it) and Italian seasoning.
Vegetarian Delight: Swap pepperoni for mushrooms, olives, bell peppers, and zucchini.
Chicken Alfredo: Replace pizza sauce with Alfredo sauce and use shredded chicken as the topping.
Mediterranean: Use feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, black olives, and a sprinkle of oregano.
Spicy Buffalo: Add shredded chicken, Buffalo sauce, and a drizzle of ranch dressing after baking.
BBQ Chicken: Use sugar-free BBQ sauce, cooked chicken, and red onion for a smoky flavor.

For cooking, you can roast your chicken with taco seasoning instead of using rotisserie chicken or even grill the vegetables for a smoky flavour.

FAQs

Can I make this a dairy free pizza bowl recipe?

Yes! Use a dairy-free cottage cheese alternative and vegan mozzarella to create a lactose-free version.

Is this cottage cheese pizza bowl recipe keto-friendly?

Absolutely! With its low-carb ingredients and high protein content, it’s perfect for a keto lifestyle.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, you can layer the ingredients and refrigerate them in the bowl. Bake or air fry when ready to eat.

Two bowls of food with fresh herbs and seasoning around it.

More Easy Cottage Cheese Recipes to Try

I love easy. These cottage cheese recipes are all pretty epic!

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This Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowl recipe is straight from our Fed Up Everyone Challenge and 365 Meal Plans. Ready in minutes, it’s my ultimate go-to for a quick, keto-compliant meal. If you try it, let me know how you top yours!