Mouthwatering Crustless Pizza Bowl

Looking for all the amazing pizza taste with none of the carbs? This bowl packs every bit of Italian flavor you crave without the crust. It's loaded with seasoned meats, veggies, and melty cheese that'll keep you feeling full and happy while sticking to your health plan. You won't miss the dough one bit!

I came up with this dish when I couldn't shake my pizza cravings during my keto diet. After playing around with the recipe a few times, I got it just right. Now my kids, who normally love regular pizza, actually ask for these bowls instead of delivery!

What You'll Need

• Olive oil: Works as the cooking base and adds that light Mediterranean touch
• Onions and bell peppers: Give a nice sweet taste when they brown up
• Mushrooms: Add a hearty bite and soak up all the good flavors
• Fresh garlic: Gives that true Italian taste - skip the jar stuff for better results
• Ground beef: Brings protein and deep flavor; go for 85/15 mix for taste without too much fat
• Italian seasoning: Gives you all those pizza herbs in one easy shake
• Low carb marinara sauce: Adds tomato flavor without sugar - check the labels carefully
• Mozzarella cheese: Creates those yummy stretchy cheese pulls; grate it yourself for best melting
• Parmesan: Adds that tangy salty kick that makes it taste authentic
• Fresh herbs: Add a pop of color and fresh taste to finish things off

Easy Cooking Guide

Get Ready:

Turn your oven to 400°F and set out 2-3 oven-safe ramekins on a baking sheet. Using the sheet makes it way easier to handle everything and catches any spills.

Cook Your Veggies:

Warm up olive oil in a big pan over medium heat until it starts to shimmer. Throw in your onions, peppers, and mushrooms, and let them cook about 4-5 minutes until they get soft and juicy. They should look clear but not brown. Add your garlic at the end for just a minute, stirring it around so it doesn't burn.

Cook The Meat:

Push all your veggies to one side and drop your ground beef or turkey in the empty space. Sprinkle the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper right on the meat. Break it into little chunks as it cooks, and keep going until you don't see any pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain off extra fat if there's too much.

Mix Everything Together:

Pour your marinara sauce over everything and mix it all up well. Let it bubble gently for 2-3 minutes so all the flavors can mix and the sauce gets a bit thicker. Don't skip this step - it really boosts the flavor!

Fill Your Bowls:

Scoop the hot mixture into your ramekins, leaving some room at the top. Pile on plenty of mozzarella cheese, then sprinkle Parmesan on top for that classic pizza taste. Add red pepper flakes now if you want some heat.

Bake It Up:

Put your filled bowls in the hot oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. You'll know they're done when the cheese is all melted with bubbles around the edges and has some golden spots on top. Your kitchen will smell just like a pizzeria!

Add Final Touches:

Take your hot bowls out and let them cool down for 2-3 minutes. Sprinkle some fresh basil or parsley on top right before you eat to add some fresh flavor and pretty color. Eat while it's hot but be careful - those bowls stay hot for a long time!

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The marinara sauce you pick really makes or breaks this dish. I tried to cut corners once with a cheap brand and regretted it right away. These days I either whip up my own sugar-free version or spend a little extra on a good low-carb sauce that brings real Italian flavor without adding carbs.

Prep Ahead Tips

These bowls are great for planning ahead. You can cook the meat and veggie mix up to three days early and keep it in the fridge. When you're hungry, just put it in ramekins, add cheese on top, and bake according to the directions. They actually taste even better after sitting a day since all the flavors blend together in the fridge.

Ways To Switch It Up

Think of this as your own pizza playground. If you love meat, throw in some pepperoni, cooked Italian sausage, or bacon pieces before adding cheese. Going vegetarian works great too - just swap the beef for plant-based meat or add extra veggies like zucchini, spinach, or artichoke hearts. Try different cheeses like provolone, goat cheese, or smoky gouda for whole new flavors.

What To Serve With It

These bowls fill you up fine on their own, but they go really well with a basic green salad with olive oil and vinegar. For family members who aren't watching carbs, you might want to add some garlic bread. My family loves when I set up a make-your-own pizza bowl station where everyone adds their favorite toppings - it makes dinner more fun!

Fixing Common Problems

Got watery bowls? Your veggies probably let out too much moisture while cooking. Make sure you cook them thoroughly before adding sauce. If your cheese burns before everything's hot, just cover the bowls loosely with foil for part of the baking time. For easier cleanup, spray your ramekins lightly with cooking spray before you fill them.

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Recipe FAQs

→ Can I prep these pizza bowls beforehand?

You bet! Make the meat and veggie mix up to 2 days early and keep it in the fridge. When you're ready to eat, just put the mixture in ramekins, sprinkle cheese on top, and bake as the recipe says, but add a couple extra minutes if your stuff is cold from the fridge.

→ What size containers should I use?

Go for 8-10 ounce (240-300ml) ramekins or any small bowls that can go in the oven for single servings. You can also use one medium baking dish for family-style serving, but you might need to leave it in the oven a bit longer.

→ What goes well on the side?

For a full keto meal, try a basic green salad with oil and vinegar dressing, some steamed broccoli, or oven-roasted cauliflower. If you don't mind some carbs, nothing beats garlic bread or soft breadsticks alongside.

→ How do I make this without meat?

Just skip the ground meat and throw in more veggies. Try chunks of zucchini, eggplant, or extra mushrooms to make it filling. You can also swap in some veggie ground meat substitutes that work pretty well in place of beef or turkey.

→ How can I tell if my tomato sauce is actually low-carb?

Look at the nutrition facts for carbs per serving (try to stay under 5g per 1/2 cup) and check what's in it. Watch for words like 'sugar,' 'corn syrup,' 'honey,' or anything ending with '-ose' (such as dextrose) since these are all sugars that bump up the carb count.

→ Can I store these in the freezer?

Absolutely! After baking, let them cool completely, then wrap each one tightly in plastic and then foil. They'll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you want one, thaw it in the fridge overnight and warm it up in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 15-20 minutes until it's hot through and through.