Pizza Bowl with Cottage Cheese – Viral TikTok Recipe

Oh, my stars, y’all! These viral low-carb Pizza Bowls with Cottage Cheese are personal-sized and incredibly delicious! Just mix creamy cottage cheese with your favorite low-carb marinara sauce, throw in your go-to pizza toppings, and sprinkle on some freshly shredded mozzarella. Toss it in the oven and wait till the cheese gets all melty, brown, and bubbly.

I don’t know about you, but I love pizza! It’s always been a favorite at our house. When we first started eating low-carb, I tried the “famous” cauliflower pizza crust, and let me tell you, I almost quit eating low-carb that day. YUCK! It was awful.

Thankfully, I knew there had to be other options, so I started working on keto-friendly pizza recipes such as my crustless pizza or pizza casserole. Then, I made a pizza chaffle and a personal pan pizza with a crispy crust. All of these are super yummy!

Then, I started seeing the viral TikTok pizza cottage cheese bowls and thought I’d try them. My husband LOVES cottage cheese, but I have never been a fan, so he was the official taste tester.

What is a Pizza Bowl?

Basically, a Pizza Bowl is a delicious, crustless pizza served in a bowl. It’s made with all the classic pizza flavors and toppings without dough. Instead, the base of the pizza is made with cottage cheese! Trust me, I KNOW it sounds weird, but it gives the dish a creamy and tangy flavor while adding protein and

It’s one of my favorite foods, especially on Friday nights. Since eating low-carb, I’ve gotten used to pizza without a thick bread crust, like my crustless pizza or pizza casserole recipe. Cauliflower crust pizza is a no-no for me, but chaffle pizza and this personal pan pizza recipe have great low-carb crusts.

What are the benefits of adding cottage cheese?

Pizza bowls with cottage cheese add extra protein to keep you full. It’s low in carbs, so you can enjoy your favorite pizza toppings without feeling guilty.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Cottage cheese – makes the dish creamy and adds a mild, tangy flavor.
Marinara sauce – gives the recipe a tomato-based taste that goes well with the cheese.
Italian seasoning – add flavors that make the dish taste like Italian food.
Mozzarella cheese – melts and helps hold all the ingredients together while adding a stretchy, cheesy taste.
Mini pepperoni – gives the dish a savory, meaty flavor.
Ground beef – makes the recipe more filling and adds a rich, beefy taste.
Bell pepper – gives a crisp texture and a slightly sweet flavor.
Crushed red pepper flakes – add a spicy kick.

How to Make Crustless Pizza Bowls with Cottage Cheese

**If you are a visual learner like me, I’ve included a step-by-step pictorial below. For the full recipe and ingredients, scroll to the bottom of this post, where you’ll find the detailed printable recipe card.

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your bowl or baking dish. I used a round ramekins, but you can use whatever you have. For reference, mine was a 5.25″ bowl. Layer cottage cheese and marinara sauce in your bowl.

Step 2: Sprinkle fresh mozzarella on top, but reserve a little that we will add after the toppings. You can add all your favorite toppings. I used mini pepperonis, ground beef, chopped bell pepper, and red onions.

Ground beef has been my favorite pizza topping since I went to a friend’s birthday party in the 4th grade at ShowBiz Pizza. I had never had it before then. Does anyone else remember ShowBiz pizza days?

Step 3: Top with the rest of the mozzarella cheese, then add Italian seasoning and crushed red pepper. (optional)

Gary and the big kids love all things spicey! I leave the red pepper flakes off mine because I am a wimp!

Step 4: Pop your bowls in the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let them cool before serving.

I know waiting is SO HARD, but it is worth it! First, you might burn your mouth on the crazy hot cheese and toppings! Ouch- fuzzy tongue hurts! If you know, you know!

It also helps all the ingredients firm up slightly instead of being too liquidy and lets all the flavors from the sauce, seasonings, and toppings meld together perfectly.

Top Tips for Making this Recipe

Blend it: If you are like me and the texture of cottage cheese creeps you out, you can blend it smoothly with an immersion blender, food processor, or mixer.

Drain the Water: If your cottage cheese has a lot of liquid, drain some out before mixing it so it doesn’t make your pizza bowl watery.

Shred cheese yourself: Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can prevent it from melting smoothly. Shred your cheese from a block. It melts much smoother and tastes SO MUCH better. I used to only use pre-shredded cheese, but trust me, once I switched fresh cheese is always the way to go!

Extra Browned Cheese: If you prefer a more browned and bubbly cheese topping, place the dish under the broiler for a minute or two after baking in the oven. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve burnt something to a pulp because I got distracted and forgot to take it out of the oven. 🤣

Customize Your Pizza Bowl

Topping Variations

The possibilities are endless. You can even customize each bowl if you are making several at once. Here are a few ideas.

Meat Lovers: Go all out with your pizza bowl toppings, loading up your bowl with pepperoni slices, sausage, Italian sausage, and ground beef.

Veggie Lovers: Load it up with all your faves like bell peppers, black olives, spinach, and mushrooms. You can also try adding some spinach or arugula for some greens.

Feta Cheese: If you’re a fan of feta cheese, like my hubby, try adding some crumbled feta to your pizza bowl. It goes great with veggies like bell peppers and onions.

Low-Carb Marinara Sauce Options with No Added Sugar

Rao’s Homemade Marinara Sauce – 6g carbs – 1g fiber = 5g net carbs per ½ cup
Rao’s Homemade Tomato Basil Sauce – 6g carbs – 1g fiber = 5g net carbs per ½ cup
Lucini Italia Organic Tuscan Tomato Sauce – 5g carbs – 1g fiber = 4g net carbs per ½ cup
Lucini Italia Organic Rustic Tomato Basil – 5g carbs – 1g fiber = 4g net carbs per ½ cup
Victoria Trading Company Marinara Sauce – 6g carbs – 1g fiber = 5g net carbs per 1/2 cup
ALDI Selected Premium Marinara – 7g carbs – 2g fiber = 5g net carbs per ½ cup
Mezzetta Family Recipes Marinara – 7g carbs – 1g fiber = 6g net carbs per ½ cup
Classico Tomato & Basil Pasta Sauce – 8g carbs – 2g fiber = 6g net carbs ½ cup

FAQ’s

Is cottage cheese pizza gluten-free?

It is! Cottage cheese and the other ingredients are naturally gluten-free. BUT!!! Check the labels of the ingredients you use, such as the pizza sauce, toppings, and seasonings, as different brands could add gluten or be made in a non-gluten-free facility.

My oldest daughter has severe peanut and tree nut allergies, so I understand always checking the labels of each ingredient we use, too, as we don’t want any surprises.

What kind of cottage cheese should I use?

That is totally up to you. I use full-fat cottage cheese because it is creamier, and fat helps me stay full. Low-fat works if you prefer. I would avoid flavored cottage cheese as you’ll add spices.

I had no idea you could buy fruit-flavored cottage cheese – that would definitely be disgusting in your pizza bowl. 😝

Can I make this vegetarian?

Sure! You can add tons of yummy veggie toppings to make your pizza bowl totally meat-free. Think mushrooms, olives, peppers, spinach, tomatoes, jalapenos, or even roasted cauliflower!

Can I prep the keto pizza bowl ahead of time?

Yes! It’s so easy. After you prep your pizza in a bowl with cottage cheese, store it in the fridge in an airtight container. Then, when you are ready, pop it in the oven, and you have a quick and delicious meal in minutes.

Different Cooking Methods

If you don’t have an oven or prefer a quicker cooking method, you can cook the pizza bowls in the microwave or the air fryer. I tested each method and was not a fan of cooking in the microwave. It seemed runny and less flavorful. Air frying was just as good as baking it in the oven.

Microwave –  the pizza bowl for 1-2 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Air Fry – Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place the ramekin in the basket and cook for 5-8 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Tip: No matter which cooking method you choose, use an oven-safe bowl or ramekin if baking in the oven. You can also use a regular bowl or ramekin if microwaving.

Storage and Reheating

These low-carb pizza bowls store and reheat beautifully! Make sure to store them in an airtight container. I use the glass ramekin bowls with lids. They will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days. I would not recommend freezing as cottage cheese changes texture when frozen.

You can rewarm it in the microwave (make sure to loosely cover the top with a paper towel or a splatter lid), or you’ll get a pizza bowl all over the inside of your microwave. Ask me how I know. lol

You can also reheat it in the oven or air fryer at 350°F degrees until it is warmed through. I recommend covering it with aluminum foil to prevent the cheese and toppings from burning.

Tip: If you have time to sit it on the counter to bring it to room temperature, it will reheat faster.

What to serve with it?

I like to keep it simple. We love to make a big leafy garden salad to eat with it. I also have a fantastic recipe for keto garlic bread chaffles that would be delicious!