Welcome to your new favorite weeknight dinner! This Cottage Cheese Pizza Bake recipe is the answer to all your pizza cravings, but packed with protein and low in carbs. It’s a simple, delicious, and endlessly customizable dish that comes together in under an hour. If you’ve been looking for a guilt-free way to enjoy the classic flavors of pizza, you’ve found it. This viral recipe proves that healthy eating can be incredibly satisfying.
Why You’ll Love This High-Protein Pizza Bake
This isn’t just another pizza recipe; it’s a game-changer for busy weeknights and healthy meal prep.
- Incredibly Easy: With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep, you can have this bake in the oven in about 10 minutes. It’s the perfect meal for when you’re short on time but still want something wholesome.
- High in Protein: Cottage cheese is the secret star here, packing a serious protein punch that will keep you full and satisfied for hours. It’s a fantastic alternative to traditional carb-heavy pizza crusts.
- Low-Carb & Keto-Friendly: Ditch the dough and the carbs without sacrificing flavor. This crustless pizza bake fits perfectly into a low-carb or ketogenic lifestyle. For another great low-carb option, check out this delicious low-carb pizza bowl.
- Completely Customizable: Just like a regular pizza, you can make this bake your own. Add your favorite toppings, switch up the cheese, or try a different sauce to create your perfect flavor combination.
What is a Cottage Cheese Pizza Bake?
Think of this dish as a crustless pizza casserole. It combines creamy cottage cheese with eggs, seasonings, and cheese to create a firm, protein-rich base. This base is then topped with classic pizza ingredients like marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and your favorite toppings before being baked to golden, bubbly perfection. It delivers all the savory, cheesy goodness of pizza in a simple, layered bake.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of common ingredients to bring this amazing dish to life.
- Cottage Cheese: The star of the show! Full-fat, small curd cottage cheese works best for a creamy, rich texture.
- Eggs: These act as a binder, helping the cottage cheese base set properly while baking.
- Italian Seasoning: Provides that classic, aromatic pizza flavor.
- Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: These add a savory depth of flavor to the base.
- Marinara Sauce: Use your favorite jarred marinara or a simple homemade version. For a fun twist, you could even try a creamy white garlic sauce.
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: It wouldn’t be pizza without that gooey, melted mozzarella on top.
- Mini Pepperoni: Or your favorite pizza toppings!
- Fresh Basil: Optional, but highly recommended for a fresh, aromatic finish.
How to Make Cottage Cheese Pizza Bake (Step-by-Step)
Making this pizza bake is as simple as mix, top, and bake. Follow these steps for perfect results.
- Preheat and Prepare: First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease an 8×8 inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil.
- Mix the Base: In a medium bowl, combine the cottage cheese, eggs, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix until everything is well incorporated. For a smoother, more custard-like base, you can blend these ingredients in a blender for 30 seconds.
- First Bake: Pour the cottage cheese mixture into your prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the center is set.
- Add the Toppings: Remove the dish from the oven. Carefully blot any excess moisture from the surface with a paper towel. Spread the marinara sauce evenly over the top. Sprinkle generously with shredded mozzarella and arrange your pepperoni or other toppings.
- Final Bake: Return the dish to the oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Rest and Serve: Let the pizza bake cool for at least 5-10 minutes before slicing. This helps it set completely, making it easier to serve. Garnish with fresh basil, slice, and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Results
Follow these simple tips to ensure your Cottage Cheese Pizza Bake is a smashing success every time.
- Avoid a Watery Bake: Some cottage cheese brands have more liquid. If yours seems watery, you can strain it through a cheesecloth for 15-20 minutes before mixing. Also, blotting the surface after the first bake is a crucial step to remove moisture.
- Use Full-Fat Cottage Cheese: For the best flavor and creamiest texture, opt for full-fat (4%) cottage cheese. Low-fat versions can sometimes result in a less satisfying texture.
- Blend for a Smoother Base: If you’re not a fan of the curd texture of cottage cheese, blending the base ingredients creates a wonderfully smooth, quiche-like foundation that still packs all the protein.
- Don’t Skip the Rest: Letting the bake rest for a few minutes after it comes out of the oven is essential. It allows the base to firm up, ensuring clean, beautiful slices.
Fun Variations & Topping Ideas
The beauty of this recipe is its versatility. Mix and match toppings to create your dream pizza bake.
- Meat Lovers: Add cooked Italian sausage, crumbled bacon, and ground beef.
- Supreme: Load it up with pepperoni, bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and black olives.
- Veggie Delight: Top with sautéed mushrooms, spinach, bell peppers, and red onions. Just be sure to cook the vegetables first to release their moisture.
- Hawaiian: A classic combination of diced ham and pineapple chunks.
If you enjoy high-protein, bowl-style meals, you might also love our high-protein cheeseburger bowls.
How to Store, Reheat, and Freeze
This recipe is fantastic for meal prep! Here’s how to store and enjoy your leftovers.
Storing
Store any leftover Cottage Cheese Pizza Bake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheating
For the best results, reheat individual slices in the microwave for 60-90 seconds or in an air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes until heated through and the cheese is bubbly again.
Freezing
You can freeze the baked and cooled pizza bake. Cut it into individual portions, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, and place them in a freezer-safe bag. It can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
What to Serve with Your Pizza Bake
This satisfying bake is a fantastic meal on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with a few simple sides. A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette, some steamed green beans, or roasted broccoli would all be excellent choices to complete the meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Treat it just like a regular pizza. Cooked sausage, mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, and olives are all fantastic options. Just be sure to pre-cook any raw meats or vegetables that release a lot of water.
Yes, this is a great recipe for meal prep. You can assemble the entire bake and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Alternatively, you can bake it completely and store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days, reheating as needed.
The key is to manage moisture. You can strain your cottage cheese through a cheesecloth before mixing if it seems very wet. Most importantly, after the initial bake of the base, use a paper towel to gently blot and remove any liquid that has surfaced before adding your toppings.
Yes, it is a very healthy option! It’s low in carbohydrates and high in protein, making it a filling and nutritious alternative to traditional pizza. It’s an excellent choice for those following a low-carb, keto, or high-protein diet.
For the best flavor and a creamy, firm texture, we highly recommend using full-fat (at least 4% milkfat) small curd cottage cheese. Low-fat versions can sometimes be more watery and result in a less satisfying texture.
More Delicious Recipes to Try
We hope you love this simple and delicious Cottage Cheese Pizza Bake! It’s a recipe that proves you don’t have to choose between healthy and delicious. If you make it, we’d love to hear what you think in the comments below. For more easy and flavorful recipes, be sure to follow us on Pinterest!
Cottage Cheese Pizza Bake Recipe
Cottage Cheese Pizza Bake (The Viral High-Protein Recipe!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease an 8x8 inch baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, combine the cottage cheese, eggs, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix until well incorporated.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared dish, spread evenly, and bake for 15-20 minutes until the center is set and edges are golden.
- Remove from the oven and blot any moisture from the surface with a paper towel. Spread with marinara sauce, then top with mozzarella and pepperoni.
- Return to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let it cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh basil and serve warm.
Notes
Straining the cottage cheese for a few minutes can help prevent a watery final result.
Feel free to customize with any of your favorite pizza toppings!
