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Craving the flavors of pizza? These pizza bowls are packed with flavor, low-calorie, gluten-free, low-carb, high-protein, and easy to make.
My family loves pizza. I mean, who doesn’t? So, the question here is.
How do we satisfy cravings without excessive carbs and calories? And what if we could possibly turn it into a high-protein meal? Now, that’s my kind of meal!
This recipe is ideal if you are craving the flavors of perfectly baked pizza but without handling the dough. You get all the delicious flavors of pizza, but baked in individual portions and ready in only 30 minutes.
What makes pizza bowls unique is how customizable they are. Since you don’t need a crust, you can layer your favorite toppings and bake them until everything Is bubbling and golden.
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Pin ItPlus, they are perfect for small gatherings or game nights since everyone gets their own individualized bowl.
Ingredients and Substitutes
Olive oil (1 tbsp) – You can also use avocado oil or flaxseed oil.
Leeks, sliced (1 cup) – If you don’t have any, you can use yellow onions.
Chicken mince (½ cup) – I’ve also tried using ground turkey or plant-based crumbles.
Garlic powder (1 tsp) – Tru using garlic flakes to add some crunchiness to the pizza.
Italian seasoning (1 tbsp)
Marinara sauce, low sugar (2 cups) – If you cannot find this option, you can choose the tomato sauce of your liking. Keep in mind that this can change the nutritional value of the recipe.
Mozzarella cheese, shredded (2 cups) – Swap with any melting cheese like provolone or cheddar to change the flavor profile.
Salami slices (½ cup) – You can also use pepperoni or prosciutto.
FOR GARNISH
Parmesan cheese, grated – For a plant-based option, you can add nutritional yeast.
Fresh parsley, chopped
How to Make Pizza Bowls
Step 1. Preheat your oven to 400F. Spray 6 (8-9 ounce) ramekins with oil. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil, leeks, chicken mince, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
Step 2. Give the ingredients a good stir to make sure the chicken is covered with all the seasonings. Cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes or until it’s no longer pink.
Step 3. Grab one cup of the marinara sauce and divide it into the 6 ramekins. It’s roughly 2.5 tbsp of marinara per ramekin.
Step 4. Do the same with the chicken you’ve just cooked; divide it into the 6 ramekins.
Step 5. Divide the cup of mozzarella cheese amongst the ramekins and sprinkle it on top of the chicken (it should be around 2.5 tbsp per ramekin).
Step 6. Grab the rest of the marinara sauce and divide it into the 6 ramekins, placing it on top of the cheese.
Step 7. Add the salami slices on top of the marinara sauce and cover with the rest of the mozzarella cheese.
Step 8. Place the ramekins in the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, until the cheese melts and turns golden brown. When you are ready to serve, garnish with parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.
Ways to Modify The Recipe
Here are a couple of ways you can change these pizza bowls.
- Vegetarian option: Remove the chicken and salami, and load it up with your favorite vegetables like sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, spinach, onions, and zucchini.
- Low-carb variation: Stick with the no-crust bowl format and choose extra veggies and lean proteins.
- Add some heat: If you like spicy food on your pizza, add some jalapeños or red pepper flakes.
- Change the cheeses: You can also change the cheeses you use or add more if you want to increase their richness. For example, add a dollop of ricotta or mascarpone cheese.
What to Serve with Pizza Bowls
Here are some of the best side dishes to have with these pizza bowls:
- Air fryer asparagus
- Garlic breadsticks
- Caesar salad
- Caprese salad
- Roasted veggies
- Arugula salad
- Flourless oatmeal bread
Storage Tips
If you have leftovers, allow them to cool completely. Cover tightly with some wrap or foil, and keep them in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
You can also keep them in the freezer for up to 2 months. But keep in mind that it may change the texture slightly. I recommend freezing the chicken and assembling it when you are ready to eat it.
When you are ready to eat again, reheat in the oven at 350F for 10-15 minutes. Avoid using the microwave since it can affect the texture of the cheese.
Other Low Carb Meals
Pizza Bowls
5 Cals: 267 Protein: 16.33 Carbs: 4.2 Fat: 18
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup leeks sliced
- ½ cup chicken mince
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 2 cups marinara sauce low sugar
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- ½ cup salami slices
For garnish:
- Parmesan cheese grated
- Fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 F. Prepare 6 (8-9 oz) ramekins and spray them with oil.
- Heat up a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add in olive oil, leeks, chicken mince, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Stir well until the chicken is covered with seasonings, and cook until the mince is no longer pink. It should take around 5-7 minutes to cook.
- Divide 1 cup of marinara sauce among 6 ramekins. It should be around 2.5 tbsp each. Now, divide the chicken mixture between them.
- Next, divide 1 cup of mozzarella cheese amongst the ramekins (around 2.5 tbsp each) and top up with the remaining 1 cup of marinara sauce.
- Add salami slices to each one of them and cover with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
- Bake in the oven for around 10-15 minutes until the cheese completely melts and turns golden brown.
- Garnish with parmesan cheese and fresh parsley before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
