Craving all the delicious, savory flavors of pizza without the carbs? This Low Carb Pizza Bowl is your answer. It’s a quick, easy, and incredibly satisfying meal that brings together seasoned ground beef, rich marinara, spicy pepperoni, and a generous layer of gooey, melted cheese. This recipe is perfect for anyone on a keto diet or simply looking to enjoy a healthier, crustless pizza alternative. It’s a guaranteed hit for a busy weeknight dinner.
We’re taking all the best parts of a supreme pizza and packing them into a simple, single-serving bowl. You get all the comfort and flavor you love, and it’s ready in under 30 minutes. Let’s get cooking!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Low Carb Pizza Bowl
- Quick & Easy: This entire meal comes together in one skillet in less than 30 minutes. It’s the perfect solution for hectic evenings when you need something delicious, fast.
- Keto-Friendly & Healthy: Packed with protein and flavor but low in carbs, this pizza bowl fits perfectly into a keto or low-carb lifestyle without any sacrifice.
- Completely Customizable: The best part about this recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. Add your favorite pizza toppings like mushrooms, olives, or different meats.
- Family-Approved: Even picky eaters will love this deconstructed pizza. It’s a fun and satisfying meal that will have the whole family asking for seconds.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to create a rich and flavorful base. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Ground Beef: We use 85/15 ground beef for the perfect balance of flavor and tenderness.
- Sugar-Free Marinara Sauce: Look for a brand with no added sugars to keep the carb count low. Using a quality sauce is key for that classic pizza taste. For a creamy twist, you could even try a white garlic pizza sauce.
- Pepperoni Slices: A pizza classic that adds a touch of spice and savory flavor.
- Cheese: A combination of shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese creates that perfectly melted, cheesy topping.
- Seasonings: Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper are essential for building that authentic pizza flavor profile.
- Olive Oil: Just a touch for browning the beef.
How to Make a Low Carb Pizza Bowl
Follow these simple steps to create your own delicious crustless pizza bowl at home.
- Brown the Beef: Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain off any excess grease.
- Season and Simmer: Return the skillet to the heat and stir in the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Pour in the sugar-free marinara sauce and stir everything together until well combined. Let it simmer for 5-7 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Add the Toppings: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the meat sauce. Arrange the pepperoni slices on top of the cheese.
- Broil to Perfection: Transfer the skillet to the oven and broil on high for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted, bubbly, and slightly golden. Watch it carefully to prevent burning!
- Serve Hot: Carefully remove the skillet from the oven. Let it cool for a minute before scooping into bowls. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Topping & Variation Ideas
One of the best things about this Low Carb Pizza Bowl recipe is its versatility. Feel free to mix and match your favorite pizza toppings to create your perfect bowl.
Protein Swaps
Not a fan of ground beef? No problem! Try using ground Italian sausage, shredded chicken, ground turkey, or even mini meatballs. For another great low-carb meal idea, check out our Philly cheesesteak casserole.
Veggie Add-ins
Boost the nutritional value by adding some of your favorite vegetables. Sautéed mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, black olives, or even some fresh spinach would be fantastic additions. Stir them in with the marinara sauce to simmer.
Cheese Variations
Change up the cheese for different flavor profiles. A sprinkle of provolone, a dash of ricotta, or some fresh mozzarella pearls would all be delicious.
Meal Prep and Storage
This pizza bowl is an excellent choice for meal prep. Simply prepare the meat sauce as directed and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When you’re ready to eat, portion it into an oven-safe bowl, top with cheese and pepperoni, and broil until hot and bubbly.
Tips for the Best Pizza Bowl
- Use an Oven-Safe Skillet: A cast-iron skillet is perfect for this recipe as it can go directly from the stovetop to the broiler, saving you from washing extra dishes.
- Don’t Skip Draining the Grease: Draining the excess grease from the ground beef is crucial to prevent the final dish from being too oily.
- Choose Quality Marinara: The flavor of your sauce is central to the dish. Opt for a high-quality, sugar-free marinara for the best taste.
If you love this bowl concept, be sure to try our famous Taco Bowl Recipe or these hearty High-Protein Cheeseburger Bowls next!
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! To make a vegetarian version, you can omit the meat and use a base of sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, bell peppers, and onions. You could also use a plant-based ground ‘meat’ substitute.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, you can microwave it for 1-2 minutes or place it in an oven-safe dish and bake at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.
Yes, this pizza bowl is very keto-friendly. By using sugar-free marinara sauce and avoiding a traditional crust, the carb count is kept very low, making it a perfect meal for a ketogenic diet.
You can easily substitute ground beef with other proteins like ground Italian sausage, ground turkey, shredded chicken, or even mini meatballs. Choose whichever you prefer!
The best marinara sauce is one with no added sugars. Always check the nutrition label for ‘Added Sugars’ and choose one with the lowest net carbs per serving to ensure your pizza bowl remains low-carb.
Share Your Creation!
We are confident this Low Carb Pizza Bowl will become a new favorite in your meal rotation. It’s the perfect way to satisfy a pizza craving while staying true to your health goals. If you make this recipe, we’d love to see it! Share a photo on Pinterest and let us know how you customized your bowl in the comments below.
Low Carb Pizza Bowl Recipe
Low Carb Pizza Bowl (Quick & Cheesy Recipe!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart. Drain off excess grease.
- Stir in the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Pour in the marinara sauce, stir to combine, and simmer for 5-7 minutes.
- Sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the meat sauce. Arrange the pepperoni slices on top.
- Transfer the skillet to the oven and broil on high for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Watch closely to prevent burning.
- Remove from the oven, let it cool slightly, then serve hot.
Notes
Tip 2: Ensure your skillet is oven-safe to save on cleanup. A cast-iron skillet works perfectly.
Tip 3: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
