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I've created this crustless pizza bowl to tackle low-carb pizza cravings without feeling guilty afterward. Each bowl can be made your own way, and the separate portions let everyone pick their favorite toppings while keeping carbs low.
These bowls came about during my personal low-carb diet, and they've turned into such favorites that my friends who love bread still ask me to make them when they stop by. The hot, melty cheese and tasty meat mixture hits the spot when you're really wanting pizza.
What You'll Need
- Olive oil: Gives a nice cooking foundation and brings that Mediterranean touch
- Onions, green bell peppers, and mushrooms: Add different textures and good nutrients without extra carbs
- Garlic cloves: Go with freshly chopped for the strongest flavor kick
- Ground beef or turkey: Pick 85% lean for the right balance of taste and fat
- Italian seasoning: Try to find mixes containing oregano, basil, and thyme for real pizza flavor
- Low-carb marinara sauce: Double-check that it has under 5g carbs per serving with no extra sugar
- Mozzarella cheese: Grate it yourself for better melting than the pre-shredded bags
- Parmesan cheese: Brings that savory kick that makes pizza so good
- Crushed red pepper flakes: Put in as much or little as you want, or skip it if you don't like heat
- Fresh herbs for garnish: Don't leave these out as they bring brightness to the rich dish
Cooking Process
- Warm Up Oven:
- Turn your oven to 400°F with the rack in the middle. This temperature will make those tasty brown spots on the cheese that we all love. Grab 2 or 3 oven-safe ramekins based on how many servings you want and set them on a baking sheet so they're easier to handle.
- Cook Your Vegetables:
- Pour some good olive oil into a big skillet over medium heat. When it starts to shimmer, toss in your diced onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms. Let them cook for about 4-5 minutes, stirring now and then, until they soften but still have some bite. Add the garlic just in the last minute so it won't burn and taste bitter.
- Brown the Meat:
- Make room in the middle of your pan by pushing the veggies to the sides. Drop in your ground meat, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. Sprinkle your Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper right onto the meat to get the most flavor. Cook until completely browned, around 5-7 minutes. Tip the pan and scoop out extra fat so your dish isn't too greasy.
- Mix in Sauce:
- Spread your low-carb marinara over the meat and veggies, mixing everything together carefully. Let it bubble softly for 2-3 minutes so the sauce thickens a bit and flavors come together. The sauce should coat everything nicely without being too runny.
- Put Together Your Bowls:
- With a big spoon, share the hot mixture between your ramekins, filling each about three-quarters full. Cover them generously with mozzarella, making a cheese blanket on top. Finish with a light sprinkle of Parmesan and red pepper flakes if you want, making sure they're spread evenly for consistent taste.
- Pop in Oven:
- Put the filled ramekins on a baking sheet to catch any drips and slide them into your hot oven. Keep an eye on them after 8 minutes, looking for the cheese to melt with golden brown spots forming. Total cooking time of 10-12 minutes gets the cheese just right.
- Add Final Touches and Eat:
- After taking them out, let the bowls sit for 2-3 minutes so they won't burn your mouth and the flavors can settle. Throw on some fresh chopped basil or parsley right before eating to add color and fresh taste against the rich dish.
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I really love the green bell peppers in this dish. My grandma always put them in her old Italian sauce, and they give just the right sweetness and crunch against the hearty meat base. The first time I made these bowls, even my brother who loves pizza didn't miss having a crust!
Keeping Leftovers
These pizza bowls stay tasty when kept properly. Let them cool all the way before covering with plastic wrap or putting in sealed containers. They'll stay good in the fridge up to 4 days, so they work great for weekly meal planning. For the best way to warm them up, use an oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes instead of the microwave, which can make cheese tough and oily.
Make It Your Way
What makes these pizza bowls so great is how flexible they are. You can set up a topping bar for family dinner with choices like sliced olives, pepperoni, cooked sausage, fresh spinach, or artichoke hearts. Just watch out for adding really wet veggies like fresh tomatoes, which might make your bowls too soggy. For an extra fancy version, try putting a layer of cream cheese under the marinara for a pizza dip style that'll have everyone wanting more.
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What to Serve With It
While these bowls taste great on their own, they go really well with simple sides that stay low-carb. A fresh Caesar salad with homemade dressing adds nice crunch, while roasted veggies like asparagus or zucchini round out your meal with extra nutrients. If you aren't strictly counting carbs, some garlic butter spread on low-carb bread works great for scooping up all the leftover sauce and cheese.
Common Questions
- → Can I use a different type of ground meat?
Sure thing, swap the beef or turkey for ground chicken, pork, or even meat-free options if that's your thing.
- → What's the best low-carb marinara sauce?
Go for sauces that say 'no sugar added' or check for ones with just basic natural stuff in them to keep carbs down.
- → Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
You bet. Get everything ready in the bowls earlier, stick them in the fridge, and just pop them in the oven when you're ready to eat for that fresh melty cheese feel.
- → What other vegetables can I use?
Try throwing in some zucchini, spinach, or eggplant for extra taste and good stuff your body needs.
- → Can this be made dairy-free?
For sure. Just grab some non-dairy cheese to make this work for folks who don't do dairy.
- → How do I prevent the dish from being watery?
Make sure to drain your cooked meat well and cook those veggies long enough to get the water out before you put everything together.