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Craving pizza without the carbs? These cottage cheese pizza bowls are high-protein, easy to make, and loaded with cheesy, pizza flavor.
All The Pizza Flavor But Without The Crust
These cottage cheese pizza bowls have a whopping 31 grams of protein and have quickly become one of my go-to lunches. I kept seeing this viral TikTok recipe everywhere and finally gave it a try, and honestly, I didn’t expect to love it as much as I do. It’s so quick to make, super filling, and really does satisfy that pizza craving. Use it as a dip or just dig right in and enjoy as-is. Between this and our Cottage Cheese Pizza Crust recipe I really can’t pick a favorite. I find myself alternating between the two when I am craving something low-carb, easy, and cheesy. Ready to see what all the fuss is about? It’s time to give it a try!
🩷 Erica
Key Ingredients
- Cottage cheese: I usually use 2% or whole-fat cottage cheese but any kind is fine. The key is making sure you squeeze out as much liquid as possible. This makes it so your pizza bowl doesn’t get watery.
- Cheeses: I like to use a little part-skim shredded mozzarella as well as some freshly grated parmesan for flavor.
- Pizza sauce: Just a little to give it that classic pizza flavor. The thicker the sauce, the better. Reduce it down in a saucepan to thicken.
- Seasonings: I like to add garlic powder, basil (fresh and dried), salt, and pepper. Oregano can also be added but I have found that the oregano flavor in the pizza sauce is enough.
- Turkey pepperoni: I prefer using turkey over regular pepperoni because it doesn’t get as greasy when it bakes. Of course you can use whatever pepperoni you prefer.
- Optional toppings: You can add any additional toppings such as red onion, bell pepper, mushrooms, olives, etc… just add it to the cottage cheese mixture before baking. Make your pizza bowl with whatever toppings you prefer on your typical pizza.
How to Make Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowls
- Preheat your oven to 425°F and lightly coat a 16-ounce oven-safe ramekin with cooking spray. Set aside.
- Place the cottage cheese in a fine mesh strainer and gently shake or press to remove as much excess liquid as possible.
- In a small bowl, stir together the drained cottage cheese, Parmesan, pizza sauce, basil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and combined.
- Spoon the mixture into the prepared ramekin and spread it out evenly. Bake for about 10 minutes, just until it starts to set.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle the mozzarella cheese and pepperoni over the top. Return to the oven and bake for another 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let the pizza bowl cool for a few minutes before serving, then garnish with fresh basil and enjoy.
Pro Tips
Drain the cottage cheese really well – The drier the cottage cheese, the better the texture. If you have time, let it sit in the strainer for a few minutes or gently press it with a spoon to remove extra moisture.
Blend the cottage cheese for a smoother texture – If you’re not a fan of the curds, blend the cottage cheese before mixing. It creates a smooth, creamy base that feels more like a traditional pizza dip.
Try adding an egg – Stir in an egg for a more set texture that’s less dip-like and more like a crustless pizza bake (plus it will add extra protein). It will need an extra 3-5 minutes to bake, but it gives it a little more substance.
Broil at the end for a bubbly top – Switch to broil for 1-2 minutes at the end to get the cheese golden and slightly crispy. Keep a close eye on it because when it comes to the broiler there’s a fine line between perfectly melted and burnt!
Try it in the air fryer – Preheat your air fryer to 375°F and place the prepared pizza bowl in an oven-safe ramekin inside the basket. Cook for 8-10 minutes, then add the toppings and air fry for another 3-5 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, still drain the cottage cheese as much as you can and then blend it in a blender or food processor. It will give your bowl a smoother texture.
This usually happens if the cottage cheese isn’t drained well enough or if the sauce is too thin. Draining and using a thicker sauce makes a big difference.
You can prep the mixture ahead of time, but it’s best baked fresh. If you do reheat it, use the oven or air fryer for the best texture.
More High-Protein Recipes
Have you tried these Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowls? I’d love to hear what you think! Drop a comment below and let me know how you liked them. And don’t forget to take a pic and tag us on Instagram @favoritefamilyrecipes! 📸🍕
Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowls
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano, or parmesan cheese
- 3 tablespoons pizza sauce
- 1/8 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper, to taste
- ¼ cup part-skim mozzarella cheese
- 6 slices turkey pepperoni
- fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425℉. Prepare a 16-ounce, oven-safe ramekin by spraying lightly with cooking oil. Set aside.
- Place cottage cheese in a fine mesh strainer and shake out as much liquid as possible. Combine cottage cheese, Parmigiano reggiano, pizza sauce, basil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Stir until well combined.
- Pour mixture into the prepared ramekin and bake for 10 minutes.
- Top with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni and bake an additional 5 minutes or until cheese has melted.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Drain well for best texture: The drier the cottage cheese, the creamier the final result, so let it sit or gently press out excess moisture.
- Blend for smoothness: Blend the cottage cheese first if you prefer a creamy, curd-free base.
- Broil for a bubbly top: Broil for 1 to 2 minutes at the end for a golden, slightly crispy finish, watching closely.
- Air fryer option: Cook at 375°F for 8 to 10 minutes, add toppings, then air fry 3 to 5 more minutes until melted and bubbly.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Wasn’t expecting much. It was quick and easy to make and I ate it with some toasted baguette. Next time I’ll try it with Hawaiian pizza or cheesy mushroom pizza toppings. Simple meal for one after a long day.
Wasn’t expecting much. It was easy to make and.pretty tasty. Added diced peppers and olives and ate it with toasted bread. Next time I’ll try it as a Hawaiian or cheesy mushroom pizza.
Love those ideas! Thanks for sharing!