Low-Carb Crustless Pizza Bowl — Zero-Carb Style

Ingredients

Pizza Bowl

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef, Italian sausage, or ground turkey
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup shredded provolone cheese
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ cup pepperoni slices, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes, optional
• Salt, to taste
• 1 tbsp olive oil, if needed

Optional Very-Low-Carb Toppings

• Extra mozzarella
• Cooked bacon, crumbled
• Sliced olives
• Diced jalapeños
• Fresh basil
• A small amount of sugar-free pizza sauce

Instructions

1. Cook the Meat

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef or sausage and cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking it apart as it cooks.

Drain excess grease if necessary.

2. Add the Seasonings

Add garlic, Italian seasoning, oregano, black pepper, salt, and red pepper flakes.

Cook for another 1–2 minutes until fragrant.

3. Add the Pepperoni

Stir in the chopped pepperoni and cook for 2–3 minutes. Letting the pepperoni crisp slightly gives the bowl a delicious pizza flavor.

4. Build the Bowls

Divide the cooked meat mixture between 4 oven-safe bowls or ramekins.

Top each bowl with mozzarella, provolone, and Parmesan. Add any desired low-carb toppings.

5. Melt the Cheese

Place the bowls under a broiler for 2–4 minutes, watching carefully, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.

Alternatively, bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 5–8 minutes.

6. Serve

Let the bowls cool for a minute or two. Garnish with fresh basil or oregano and serve hot.

Microwave Method

For a quick single serving:

1. Place cooked meat in a microwave-safe bowl.
2. Add pepperoni and cheese.
3. Microwave for 60–90 seconds.
4. Continue in 15-second intervals until the cheese is completely melted.

Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Servings: 4
• Cuisine: Italian-American
• Diet: Low-carb / keto-friendly

Nut Information

• Peanuts: None.
• Tree nuts: None in the basic recipe.
• Nut-free: Yes, when all ingredients are prepared as listed.
• Parmesan, mozzarella, pepperoni, sausage, and seasonings are generally nut-free, but always check packaged products for allergy and cross-contact statements if cooking for someone with a nut allergy.
• If using a specialty dairy-free cheese, check its ingredients because some alternatives contain nuts.

Approximate Nutrition

Per serving, using ground beef, pepperoni, and cheese:

• Calories: 430–500
• Protein: 32–38 g
• Fat: 32–38 g
• Total Carbs: 2–4 g
• Fiber: 0–1 g
• Net Carbs: 2–3 g

For the lowest possible carbs: skip pizza sauce and vegetables and choose meat, cheese, and seasonings with 0 g carbs per serving according to their labels.

Q&A

Q: Is this really zero-carb?
Not necessarily. While plain meat and some cheeses can contain little to no measurable carbohydrate, pepperoni and other processed ingredients may contain small amounts. Check the nutrition labels of your specific ingredients.

Q: Can I make this without pepperoni?
Yes. Replace it with cooked bacon, Italian sausage, ground beef, or grilled chicken.

Q: Can I use chicken instead of beef?
Absolutely. Diced cooked chicken makes a great high-protein pizza bowl.

Q: Can I add pizza sauce?
Yes, but traditional pizza sauce contains carbohydrates. For a very-low-carb version, use a small amount of no-sugar-added, low-carb pizza sauce.

Q: What vegetables can I add?
Mushrooms, spinach, olives, bell peppers, and jalapeños are delicious, but they will add carbohydrates.

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes. Prepare the meat mixture and refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Add cheese and reheat when ready to serve.

Q: Can I freeze pizza bowls?
Yes. Freeze the cooked meat mixture separately for the best texture. Thaw, add fresh cheese, and bake until hot and bubbly.

Q: What cheese melts best?
Mozzarella and provolone give the best pizza-style stretch. Parmesan adds extra savory flavor.

Q: How can I increase the protein?
Use lean ground beef, ground turkey, chicken, or extra lean Italian sausage and add a little more meat to each bowl.

Q: Is this keto-friendly?
Yes, it can easily fit a keto or low-carb eating plan when you choose low-carb meat, cheese, and toppings and avoid sugary pizza sauce.