5-Minute Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowl: Crustless Pizza Bowl With 32g Protein
This cottage cheese pizza bowl is one of those fast, satisfying meals you can pull together when you want something warm and comforting without turning on the oven. It packs about 32 grams of protein into a single serving, and everything happens in one bowl while the microwave does the work, giving you a melty, sauce-swirled base that tastes like a quick, crustless pizza fix.
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The toppings are completely flexible, so you can keep it classic with peppers, onions, olives, and fresh basil, or use whatever you already have in the fridge. It’s simple, dependable, and takes just a few minutes from start to finish; exactly the kind of high-protein microwave recipe that earns a permanent spot in your weeknight routine.
I make this pizza bowl with cottage cheese on the days when I’m juggling a hundred things. It’s the kind of quick meal I can throw together while answering emails or helping the kids, and it always hits the spot. No fuss, no waiting, just a cozy little bowl of melted cheese and toppings that tastes far better than the effort it takes.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- It feels like a real pizza fix without needing dough, a crust, or an oven.
- The texture turns surprisingly creamy and satisfying, especially for a quick, low-carb pizza-style microwave meal.
- You can personalize it instantly with whatever toppings you already have.
- It’s a reliable five-minute option that works for lunch, late-night cravings, or an easy solo dinner.
Ingredients
See the recipe card for the complete list of ingredients and quantities to make this low-carb pizza bowl.
Instructions
Step 1: Add the cottage cheese to a microwave-safe bowl and spread it into an even layer. Spoon the marinara on top and swirl lightly.
Step 2: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly across the surface. Microwave for 1½ to 2 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the edges look lightly golden.
Step 3: Top the warm base with sliced red onion, red and yellow bell peppers, black olives, and fresh basil. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat before serving this high-protein cottage cheese pizza bowl.
Tips and Variations
- Mozzarella gives the best melt, but you can mix in a little cheddar or provolone if you want a sharper flavor.
- Use a wide, shallow bowl so the cheese melts evenly and the base doesn’t pool in the center.
- Swirl the marinara lightly rather than mixing it fully into the cottage cheese. This helps keep the texture creamy and gives the finished bowl that “pizza” look.
- Try different topping combinations depending on what you already have: olives and peppers for a classic mix, mushrooms for something hearty, jalapeños for heat, or a small spoonful of pesto for a richer finish.
Recipe FAQs
Yes. Any regular cottage cheese works here. Small-curd tends to melt a little smoother, but both small-curd and large-curd are fine.
Use a wide bowl and start with about 90 seconds. Add time in short bursts so the edges don’t overcook.
You can assemble the bowl in advance, but microwave it only when you’re ready to eat. The texture is best fresh.
Yes. Bake it at 375°F until the cheese melts, though it will take longer than the microwave version.
It can fit into low-carb eating styles, especially if you keep the toppings simple. A keto cottage cheese pizza bowl focuses on the cottage cheese, mozzarella, and low-carb veggies, so you can adjust the sauce or toppings slightly to match what you’re comfortable with.
More Low Carb Recipes
- This low-carb cottage pie with cauliflower mash is pure comfort food: creamy, golden-topped, and every bit as satisfying as the classic. A cozy dinner that fits right into your low-carb week without feeling like a compromise.
- Cool, creamy, and elegant. These cucumber smoked salmon rolls make entertaining effortless. No cooking, no stress, just beautiful bites that disappear fast from the platter.
- All the bold, zesty flavor of taco night, just lighter. These Tex-Mex lettuce cups are crisp, colorful, and perfect for lunch, dinner, or party platters. Every bite brings that fresh Tex-Mex kick you can’t resist.
- These loaded cauliflower nachos take everything you love about nacho night and give it a lighter, low-carb twist. Baked on one sheet pan and served straight from the oven, they’re cheesy, satisfying, and impossible to stop eating.
- These spinach and artichoke stuffed mushrooms bring a touch of effortless gourmet to any table. They’re warm, creamy, and golden on top, and they’re the kind of appetizer guests always reach for first.
If cottage cheese is always a hit at your table, you’ll love the rest of my cottage cheese recipes right here.
Tried this cottage cheese pizza bowl recipe? Please rate the recipe and leave a comment below to let us know how they turned out. Your feedback helps others find and enjoy it too!
Crustless Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowl
Equipment
- Microwave-safe bowl
- Spoon
- Cutting board and knife
Ingredients
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 3 tablespoons marinara sauce
- ⅓ cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- 2 tablespoons black olives sliced
- 2 tablespoons red onion thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons bell peppers Red, yellow, or a mix)
- Fresh basil leaves for topping
- Pinch red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Add the cottage cheese to a microwave-safe bowl and spread it into an even layer.
- Spoon the marinara on top and swirl lightly so some of the white and red remain visible. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly across the surface.
- Microwave for 1½ to 2 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the edges look lightly golden.
- Top the warm base with sliced red onion, red and yellow bell peppers, black olives, and fresh basil. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you want a little heat, then serve immediately.
Notes
- Use freshly shredded mozzarella for a smoother melt.
- Microwave strength varies, so adjust the time slightly as needed.
