This low carb crustless pizza bowl packs all the flavor of a sausage and pepper pizza into a bowl with no dough at all. It takes about 10 minutes of prep and 25 minutes to cook, so it fits a busy weeknight.
Seasoned Italian sausage, sliced peppers, and mushrooms simmer in marinara, then bake under a blanket of melted mozzarella and black olives. A sprinkle of fresh basil finishes each bowl with a bright, fresh note that tastes like pizza night.
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Why This Low Carb Crustless Pizza Bowl Recipe Works
Skipping the crust cuts most of the carbs from a pizza and leaves the parts people love, which are the sausage, the sauce, and the bubbling cheese. A spoon is all you need, and each bowl holds a generous layer of topping.
Browning the sausage first builds deep flavor in the pan, and the fat it releases cooks the peppers and mushrooms. Simmering everything in marinara lets the vegetables soften and soak up the spices.
Baking each bowl for a few minutes melts the mozzarella into a stretchy, golden top. Individual oven safe bowls make serving simple and let everyone customize their own toppings.
Ingredients for Low Carb Crustless Pizza Bowl
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage
- 1 cup sliced bell peppers, any color
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1 cup no sugar added marinara sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
Italian sausage. Mild or hot sausage both work. Look for a ground sausage with no added sugar to keep the carbs low.
Marinara. Check the label for added sugar. A plain tomato sauce with garlic and basil keeps the bowl tasting like savory pizza.
Mozzarella. Low moisture shredded mozzarella melts into a golden top. Fresh mozzarella releases water and makes the bowls loose.
Peppers and mushrooms. Slice them thin so they soften in a few minutes. Any color of pepper works.
Fresh basil. Add it after baking. Heat turns basil dark and dulls the flavor.
How to Make Low Carb Crustless Pizza Bowl
1. Heat the oven Heat the oven to 375 degrees F and set 4 oven safe bowls on a baking sheet.
2. Brown the sausage Cook the sausage in a large skillet over medium heat for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking it up, until it is no longer pink and reaches 160 degrees F.
3. Add the vegetables Add the peppers and mushrooms and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until slightly softened.
4. Add the sauce Stir in the marinara, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes and simmer for 2 minutes.
5. Fill the bowls Divide the mixture evenly among the bowls.
6. Add the cheese Top each bowl with mozzarella and black olives.
7. Bake Bake 10 to 12 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
8. Garnish Top with fresh basil and serve hot.
How to Serve Low Carb Crustless Pizza Bowl
Serve the bowls hot with a spoon. A crisp Italian house salad makes a fresh side, and air fryer broccoli with Parmesan adds a green vegetable. If you want something for dipping, add a few garlic cheese rolls or air fryer garlic bread slices on the side, which suit a pizza night menu.
How to Store and Reheat Low Carb Crustless Pizza Bowl
Cool the bowls and refrigerate them covered for up to 3 days. Freeze the cooked filling without cheese for up to 2 months, then thaw it overnight, top with fresh mozzarella, and bake again. Reheat until the center reaches 165 degrees F. Add fresh basil only after reheating so it keeps its color.
Tips and Variations for Low Carb Crustless Pizza Bowl
Cook the sausage to a safe temperature. Ground sausage is done at 160 degrees F.
Flag the allergens. The mozzarella contains milk, and some sausages and marinara contain wheat or soy. Check labels and tell guests.
Drain the fat. If the sausage releases a lot of grease, spoon off most of it before adding the vegetables.
Handle hot bowls carefully. Oven safe bowls stay hot after baking. Use oven mitts and let them cool for 5 minutes.
Keep the carbs low. Check the label on the marinara and sausage for added sugar and starch.
Customize toppings. Add pepperoni slices, spinach, or artichoke hearts, and keep the amounts small so the bowls do not turn watery.
Broil for color. Place the bowls under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes for brown spots on the cheese, and watch closely.
Check trusted guidance. For safe cooking temperatures and leftovers, read the FDA safe food handling guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Low Carb Crustless Pizza Bowl
What is in a low carb crustless pizza bowl?
Ground Italian sausage, peppers, mushrooms, marinara, mozzarella, and olives, baked in an oven safe bowl.
Can I make a low carb crustless pizza bowl ahead?
Yes. Assemble the bowls, cover them, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bake with 5 extra minutes.
How many carbs are in a low carb crustless pizza bowl?
This bowl has about 8 grams of carbs per serving, mostly from the marinara and vegetables. Check your labels for exact amounts.
Can I use turkey sausage?
Yes. Turkey sausage is leaner, so add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pan.
Do I need oven safe bowls?
You can bake the filling in a 9×9 baking dish instead and serve it in regular bowls.
Low Carb Crustless Pizza Bowl
Equipment
- Large skillet
- 4 oven safe bowls
- Baking sheet
- Cutting board
- Meat thermometer
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage
- 1 cup sliced bell peppers any color
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1 cup no sugar added marinara sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup sliced black olives
- 2 tbsp fresh basil chopped, added after baking
Instructions
- Brown the sausage. Heat the oven to 375 degrees F. Brown 1 pound sausage in a skillet for 6 to 8 minutes until it reaches 160 degrees F.
- Add the vegetables. Cook 1 cup peppers and 1 cup mushrooms 4 to 5 minutes until slightly soft.
- Add sauce. Stir in 1 cup marinara, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper flakes and simmer 2 minutes.
- Top. Divide among 4 oven safe bowls and top with 2 cups mozzarella and 1/2 cup olives.
- Bake. Bake 10 to 12 minutes until bubbly, then top with 2 tablespoons basil.
