Description
This delightful Cheese Pizza Bowls recipe offers a quick, low-carb alternative to traditional pizza. Combining creamy cottage cheese, tangy marinara, and melty mozzarella, these bowls are air-fried to perfection with a crispy pepperoni topping, making them a perfect snack or light meal for two.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Mixture
- 1 cup Cottage Cheese
- 1/3 cup Marinara Sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons Bell Pepper (diced, divided)
- 1 tablespoon Black Olives (sliced, divided)
- 1/2 cup Mozzarella Cheese (divided)
Toppings & Additional
- 2-3 tablespoons Marinara Sauce (divided)
- 8 Pepperoni Slices
Instructions
- Prepare Ramekins: Select two small ramekins or air fryer-safe small casseroles such as Le Creuset dishes and have them ready for assembling the pizza bowls.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cottage cheese, 1/3 cup marinara sauce, diced black olives, diced red bell pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. For a smoother texture, blend cottage cheese and marinara sauce first, then fold in the remaining ingredients gently to maintain some texture.
- Add Cheese: Stir in half of the shredded mozzarella cheese into the mixture to incorporate a rich cheesy flavor evenly throughout.
- Assemble Bowls: Divide the cheese and vegetable mixture evenly between the two ramekins. Spoon 1 tablespoon of marinara sauce over each bowl, then sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top. Arrange the pepperoni slices evenly over the surface to top the bowls.
- Cook: Air fry the assembled bowls at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes, until the mozzarella is melted and the mixture is bubbling. Alternatively, microwave for 1 to 2 minutes until cheese melts or bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15-16 minutes until cheese is melted and slightly browned on top.
- Serve: Serve the pizza bowls warm alongside low-carb chips or almond flour crackers for a satisfying low-carb pizza experience.
Notes
- For a smoother texture, blending the cottage cheese with marinara sauce before mixing the other ingredients is recommended.
- Make sure the ramekins are air fryer-safe if using an air fryer for cooking.
- You can substitute pepperoni slices with cooked sausage or omit for a vegetarian option using vegetarian pepperoni.
- Serve with your favorite low-carb crackers or chips to keep the snack light.
- Adjust cooking time slightly depending on the thickness of the mixture in ramekins and your specific air fryer or oven model.
