This cottage cheese pizza bowl recipe is a high protein lunch or snack that satisfies pizza cravings without the carbs. It takes just 14 minutes in the oven or 1 minute in the microwave!
Have you seen the latest TikTok hype - cottage cheese pizza bowls? Normally, I am not one for social media trends, but this idea did seem super fun and sounded so good I had to give it a try.
Here is my version of a crustless pizza bowl with cottage cheese. Unlike the original, which is made in the microwave, I baked mine in the oven. I think the flavors are better that way. However, I also list microwave instructions further down in the post.
Whichever method you choose, this is a quick and easy lunch that tastes surprisingly like pizza, without the carbs. You can eat it straight from the bowl, or use it as a dip with crackers and vegtables such as peppers or celery sticks.
For more cottage cheese recipes, try my cottage cheese omelette or this cottage cheese smoothie.
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What's To Love About This Recipe
Quick and easy - You are getting all the taste of a pizza without having to knead dough. This is a low effort snack, lunch or dinner with only 6 minutes of prep. It cooks in the microwave in 1 minute!
Healthy and high protein - It's not often that you can call anything containing the word "pizza" healthy. Well, this recipe is healthy, at least in my book. Cottage cheese is high protein, low calorie and nutritious. One pizza bowl contains 21 grams or protein. Read more about the health benefits of cottage cheese here.
Great for meal prep - By baking the cottage cheese bowls in individual ramekins, you can prep several days of meals in one go. Then, just heat each portion in the microwave when needed.
Family-friendly - This recipe is great for anyone on a low carb or Keto diet, because it is only 6.5g net carbs. But it is also a hit with kids - my carb-loving teenagers thought it was delicious.
Ingredients
Here is what you need:
- Cottage Cheese - I am using blended cottage cheese for the recipe. The smooth texture works better here than the cottage cheese curds.
- Parmesan - This adds flavor in the cottage cheese mixture.
- Seasonings - Italian seasoning or dried oregano.
- Marinara - I used my keto pizza sauce, which is super tasty and takes minutes to make. Of course, a shop-bought marinara sauce will also work. Just check the label to make sure the sauces don't contain any hidden sugars and are keto friendly. Or, simply use tomato passata seasoned with garlic, salt, pepper and basil.
- Mozzarella - Full fat grated mozzarella or part skim mozzarella cheese - you decide.
- Cured Ham - I love pizza with Parma ham. You can swap out the ham for pepperoni or even chorizo.
- Basil - Fresh basil looks pretty and tastes great with pizza.
- Olive oil - for greasing the ramekins. I used a fruity extra virgin olive oil.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Instructions
It is really simple to make cottage cheese pizza bowls. Here are the basic steps. Scroll down to the recipe card for the detailed method and nutrition information.
STEP 1
Blend the cottage cheese in a large mixing bowl with an electric blender or with a food processor until smooth.
STEP 2
Stir in the parmesan and seasonings.
STEP 3
Fill the cottage cheese mixture into four ramekins that you have greased with extra virgin olive oil.
STEP 4
Spoon marinara sauce over the blended cottage cheese mixture.
STEP 5
Add mozzarella into the bowls.
STEP 6
Put a slice of cured ham on top.
STEP 7
Bake the pizza bowls in the preheated oven until piping hot inside, the mozzarella has melted fully and the ham is beginning to turn crisp.
Chef Katrin's Tip
The pizza bowls are a little runny fresh out of the oven. This is normal! The mixture thickens as it cools.
Microwave Method
You can easily make a single portion of this recipe in the microwave. Use only ¼ of the ingredients and follow these steps:
- Blend the cottage cheese curds until creamy. Stir in the parmesan and seasoning.
- Layer the mixture in a microwave-safe bowl followed by the tomato sauce, chopped ham and shredded mozzarella.
- Microwave on high for 60 seconds or until the cheese is melted and everything is piping hot.
Variations
You can change up this cottage cheese pizza bowl recipe just like you can a regular pizza. Here are some ideas to try:
Spices - Add a pinch of chili flakes to the creamed cottage cheese for a fiery kick. Or, add garlic powder, onion powder or black pepper.
Veggies - Our personal favorite variations are black olives, capers, artichoke hearts, mushrooms or peppers. Pan-fry mushrooms or peppers in advance so they cook properly and don't turn the dip watery.
More protein - Shredded cooked chicken, chopped meatballs taste good in this pizza bowl.
Different cheeses - Try cheddar, pecorino or even feta cheese for a Greek version.
Last but not least, feel free to stir the tomato sauce and any other ingredients directly into the cottage cheese. Different look, same great taste.
Recipe FAQs
Not really. Cottage cheese has a mild flavor and this is covered completely by the more intense pizza flavors. I find that most people have an issue with the texture of the curds anyway and not with the cottage cheese taste. And, in this recipe we are whipping the cottage cheese until it is completely smooth - so that problem is solved.
No, the recipe also works without blending the cheese. If you want to omit this step, I recommend using small curd cottage cheese.
Yes. Airfry the pizza bowls at 350F / 180C for around 10 minutes.
You can swap out the cottage cheese for ricotta.
Serving Suggestion
As mentioned above, this cottage cheese pizza dip is great with crackers or bread. Simply scoop it up with one of the following:
- Keto tortilla chips
- Seeded crackers
- Parmesan crisps
- Keto focaccia
- or any other keto bread, preferably toasted
For a healthy lunch, I like to pair it with chopped peppers, celery sticks, with a big handful of rocket salad or a grunchy green salad.
When I just want a quick snack, I am also known to simply enjoy a cottage cheese pizza bowl all on its own - with a spoon, straight from the bowl!
Storage And Meal Prep
To prep a larger portion, use a casserole dish instead of individual bowls. The method is the same. Bake until piping hot and the cheese is melted.
Store any leftover pizza bowls in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container. I don't recommend to keep it any longer. The cottage cheese mixture starts to separate a little after that and releases water.
I don't recommend freezing this recipe. It changes the texture of the cottage cheese mixture. After defrosting, it becomes grainy.
More Low Carb Pizza Recipes
- Crispy Low Carb Keto Pizza Bites10 Minutes
- Low Carb Pizza18 Minutes
- Almond Flour Pizza Crust40 Minutes
- Low Carb Keto Pizza Rolls45 Minutes
Tried this recipe? Give it a star rating below!
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Recipe
Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowl Recipe
from Sugar Free LondonerNote: The servings slider only changes the first amount in each line and not any subsequent amounts. Please make your own calculations where necessary.
Equipment
- 4 ramekins, 10cm diameter x 6cm deep
Ingredients
- 2 cups cottage cheese 400g
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese 60g
- 4 tablespoon finely grated parmesan 24g
- ¾ cup marinara sauce 180g, ore use a quality shop-bought
- 4 slices parma ham 60g, or salami / chorizo
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or dried oregano
- fresh basil to serve
Instructions
Oven Method (Makes 4 Servings)
- Preheat the oven to 400F / 200C electric (350F / 180C fan) and spray 4 ramekins or oven-proof bowls with olive oil.
- Blend the cottage cheese in a food processor or in a large mixing bowl using an electric blender or stick blender until creamy. Add the parmesan cheese and dried herbs and mix well.
- Spoon the cottage cheese mixture into the ramekins. Next, add a layer of marinara sauce and then a layer of mozzarella cheese. Top with parma ham.
- Bake in the oven for 12 minutes or until the mixture is piping hot and the cheese is melted. Serve with fresh basil and optional crackers.
Microwave Method (Makes 1 Serving)
- Blend ½ cup cottage cheese until creamy. Stir in 1 tablespoon parmesan and ¼ teaspoon of herbs.
- Layer the mixture in a microwave-safe bowl which you have sprayed with olive oil. Follow with 3 tablespoons of marinara, chopped parma ham and mozzarella cheese.
- Microwave for 1 minute or until piping hot and the cheese has melted.
KS
Hi. Would this recipe work with cream cheese instead of cottage or ricotta?
Katrin Nürnberger
I think it would be yummy with ricotta, but not so much with cream cheese.
Shari
Winner, winner! We went with the microwave version and loved it. (I subbed crispy, crumbled turkey bacon for the parma ham. We also added fresh Asian garlic chives, finely sliced, layered between the marinara and the mozzarella, and crushed red pepper layered between the mozzarella and the crumbled bacon.) Your basic recipe is fantastic, but there are so many ways one can vary it. Thanks for this recipe creation!
Katrin Nürnberger
That sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing your tweaks.
Judy Gargone
Lovd your recipes. Have you tried ricotta cheese? Seems like it should work. Thanks
Katrin Nürnberger
Yes, it works just as well with ricotta.