Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowl (Low Carb & High Protein)

This cottage cheese pizza bowl is one of my favorite ways to fix a pizza craving without the heaviness of a traditional crust. It starts with a creamy cottage cheese base, then gets layered with sautéed mushrooms, spinach, marinara sauce, melty mozzarella, and your favorite pizza toppings. All the classic pizza flavors, but lighter and higher in protein.

I love that this recipe is quick and easy enough for a weeknight, whether I’m making just one bowl for myself or a whole batch for the family. It even works as a fun dip if you’re in the mood to scoop with some veggies or gluten-free crackers.

I don’t eat traditional pizza anymore because I always feel weighed down afterward. This bowl gives me all the cheesy, saucy flavors I love — without the crust or extra grease. And taking a few minutes to sauté the mushrooms and spinach first makes such a difference so it doesn’t turn out soggy.

Are cottage cheese pizza bowls a good alternative to pizza?

Cottage cheese pizza bowls offer a delicious twist on traditional pizza by skipping the crust and using cottage cheese as the base. They’re great for anyone looking for a crustless option and can easily be customized with your favorite veggies and toppings. Plus, they’re naturally gluten-free. 

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here is everything you need to make the best-tasting low-carb pizza cottage cheese bowl:

Cottage Cheese: You can use low-fat cottage cheese or fat-free cottage cheese.

Marinara Sauce: You can use homemade or store-bought tomato sauce or pizza sauce instead of marinara sauce.

Italian Seasoning: You can omit it or use a combination of dried oregano, basil, and a pinch of red pepper flakes.

Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: Any type of shredded cheese like cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack, or a blend with parmesan cheese.

Fresh Mushrooms: Use any other vegetable of your choice such as red bell peppers, green peppers, red onion, or zucchini.

Baby Spinach Leaves: You can omit or use kale or Swiss chard.

Garlic Powder: Fresh minced garlic or garlic paste can be used as a substitute for garlic powder.

Oil: Butter, olive oil, or any other cooking oil can be used in place of oil.

Pepperoni: You can use any cooked meat such as cooked chicken, turkey pepperoni, or ham.

Fresh Basil: This is an optional garnish.

Step 1: Sautee the Veggies

Preheat the Oven: If you’re baking the pizza bowl, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). If you’re microwaving it or not adding vegetables, you can skip this step.

Heat a teaspoon of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced mushrooms, a pinch of garlic powder, and salt. Saute until they start to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the baby spinach leaves and cook until wilted about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 2: Assemble Your Pizza Bowl

In an oven and microwave-safe bowl, combine the cottage cheese, marinara sauce, and Italian seasoning and mix until combined.

Add the sauteed mushrooms and spinach on top. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the vegetables and arrange the pepperoni slices on top of the cheese layer.

Oven Instructions: Place the bowl in the preheated oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. 

Microwave Instructions: Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe lid or plate and microwave on high for 1 minute or until the cheese is melted.

Air Fryer Instructions: Place the bowl inside the air fryer basket and cook for 5 minutes at 400°F or until the cheese is melted.

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Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowl (Low Carb & High Protein)

Gluten-Free

This Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowl recipe is a low-carb, high-protein twist on classic pizza. Using cottage cheese as the base, it combines sautéed mushrooms, spinach, marinara sauce, mozzarella, and your choice of cooked meat. Enjoy it as a quick, satisfying meal or as a crustless pizza dip that’s perfect for pizza cravings!

5 from 6 votes

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Servings 1

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 6 minutes mins

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1/2 cup cottage cheese
• 1/4 cup marinara sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup mushrooms
• 1/2 cup baby spinach leaves
• 8 slices pepperoni

Instructions

 

• Preheat the Oven: If you're baking the pizza bowl, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). If you're microwaving it, you can skip this step.

  Heat a teaspoon of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced mushrooms, a pinch of garlic powder, and salt. Saute until they start to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the baby spinach leaves and cook until wilted about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
• In an oven and microwave-safe bowl, combine the cottage cheese, marinara sauce, and Italian seasoning and mix until combined.

  Add the sauteed mushrooms and spinach on top. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the vegetables and arrange the pepperoni slices on top of the cheese layer.
• Oven Instructions: Place the bowl in the preheated oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. 

  Microwave Instructions: Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe lid or plate and microwave on high for 1 minute or until the cheese is melted.

  Air Fryer Instructions: Place the bowl inside the air fryer basket and cook for 5 minutes at 400°F or until the cheese is melted.

Video

Notes

Blended Cottage Cheese: If you’re not a fan of the curdled texture of cottage cheese, you can blend it until it’s smooth before adding it to the bowl.

Excess Water: You can drain off any excess liquid in the bowl after it’s cooked or mix it all together before eating.

Low-Carb Options: To make this dish even lower in carbs, use a sugar-free marinara sauce and check the carb content of the cottage cheese and other ingredients.

Pizza Dip: You can enjoy your bowl as a dip with tortilla chips, pita chips, or veggie sticks.

Nutrition

Calories: 292kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 23gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 1063mgPotassium: 523mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 2017IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 264mgIron: 2mg

Keyword cottage cheese, low-carb pizza, pizza bowl, protein pizza

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Important Disclaimer

This recipe is created by a home cook and not a medical professional. Our ingredient philosophy is reviewed by RDNs, but this specific post is not personalized medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for dietary concerns.

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