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Home » Recipes » Main Dishes

Modified: Jan 5, 2025 · Published: Jul 29, 2024 by LaKita · This post may contain affiliate links.

Easy Pizza Bowls

Jump to Recipe
Overhead view of finished pizza bowl on grey surface with spoon in it.
Overhead view of single finished pizza bowl on grey surface by a spoon.
Four finished pizza bowls on sheet pan.
Close up view of single pizza bowl on grey surface with a spoon in it.
Two photos of finished pizza bowls on pin with text overlay.
Close up overhead view of finished bowl with spoon in it on pin with text overlay.
Overhead view of four finished pizza bowls on sheet pan pin with text overlay.
Overhead view of finished pizza bowl on grey surface with spoon in it.

Try making these Easy Pizza Bowls for a crustless pizza in a bowl made with all of your favorite toppings. It bakes up in less than five minutes and is the perfect recipe for the whole family to enjoy!

If you're craving more pizza-inspired recipes, then be sure to try making some Pepperoni Pizza Dip, a batch of Cheesy Supreme Pizza Rolls, or Supreme Stuffed Pizza Shells.

Overhead view of a single pizza bowl with a spoon in it on a grey surface.

This is a classic popular recipe that was originally shared in 2017 that everyone loves. 

It's also one that I make often because it comes together in minutes making it the best dinner recipe. 

Plus it's simple to make and has everything that you love about pizza minus the crust.

Let's get started!

Why You'll This Pizza Bowl Recipe 

  • Quick and Easy - This recipe comes together in about 20 minutes and it's super easy to assemble in oven-safe bowls. Making it the perfect way to have pizza night any day of the week. 
  • Fully Customizable - The best part about any good pizza is the ability to add all of your favorite pizza toppings. Feel free to omit any of the recipe ingredients the list suggests and make it your own.  
  • Pizza in a Bowl - It's everything that you love about pizza, minus the crust, but in a bowl! Feel free to pair it with your favorite garlic bread for dipping. 

Ingredients You'll Need 

Overhead view of ingredients needed to make pizza bowls in separate bowls on grey surface.
  1. Italian Sausage - You may use original, mild, or hot ground Italian sausage. The packaged ground Italian sausage will work as well as removing the casing from the links. Try not to use the sweet flavor if possible. You may substitute with ground beef or any other ground meat that you prefer. 
  2. Mushrooms - Use any fresh sliced mushrooms that you prefer or you may use canned mushroom stems and pieces in water instead. If using canned mushrooms, then there is no need to cook them ahead of time.
  3. Mozzarella Cheese - Try grabbing a block of mozzarella cheese and shredding it yourself using a box grater, as it melts so much better than the shredded cheese that comes in the package which usually contains added ingredients.
  4. Marinara Sauce - Any marinara or pizza sauce that you prefer will work in this pizza bowl recipe. I love to use Mutti Napoli Pizza Sauce or a thicker sauce to prevent there from being too much liquid in the pizza bowl.
  5. Pepperoni - You may use regular pepperoni slices, mini pepperoni, or turkey pepperoni. Any brand of pepperoni that you prefer is perfectly fine.
  6. Parmesan Cheese - Grated Parmesan cheese adds another cheese and gives the pizza bowls that classic pizza flavor.
  7. Crushed Red Pepper - Add a bit of spice to the bowls. You may omit it if you prefer.

​Recipe Variations 

  • Meat - Ground turkey, ground chicken, or any ground meat that you enjoy will work. Use it as a substitution for the sausage or as an additional meat protein. 
  • Cheese - Feel free to use any shredded cheese that you prefer such as cheddar cheese, an Italian cheese blend, or even a dollop of cottage cheese in each bowl. 
  • Spices - Add even more flavor by adding in some garlic powder, Italian seasoning, onion powder, or cayenne pepper. Simply stir the additional seasonings into the tomato sauce or sprinkle them on top of each bowl before you bake. 
  • Vegetables - You can add some chopped green bell peppers, red onions, banana peppers, fresh tomatoes, or chopped herbs such as fresh basil or oregano. 

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient quantities and instructions.

How to Make a Pizza Bowl

Begin the easy pizza bowl recipe by grabbing a large skillet and placing it on the stovetop over medium-high heat. Add in the ground Italian sausage and cook, stirring often until no longer pink, about 5 to 6 minutes. Carefully remove the cooked sausage from the skillet and place it into a small bowl. Set aside.

Cooked ground sausage in white bowl on grey surface.

Using the leftover grease/oil in the skillet from cooking the sausage, add the fresh mushrooms (if using), and cook until they begin to soften. About 2 to 3 minutes.

Place four ramekins on a baking sheet and add half of the marinara sauce to the bottom of each ramekin. Smooth it out into an even layer. Top with an even layer of half of the shredded mozzarella cheese.

Four white bowls on sheet pan with sauce and shredded cheese in it.

Divide the Italian sausage, pepperoni, and mushrooms evenly among the four ramekins and place them over the layer of mozzarella cheese.

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Ground sausage added to four white bowls on sheet pan.
Mushroom slices and sliced pepperoni added to four white bowls on sheet pan.

Top with another layer of marinara sauce, followed by the remaining half of the mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, and crushed red pepper flakes.

Overhead view of sauce added to the top of four white pizza bowls on a sheet pan.
Shredded cheese added to the top of the bowls on a sheet pan before baking.

Place the baking sheet with the pizza bowls under the broiler on medium-high, until the cheese has lightly browned and the sauce is hot and bubbly.

Overhead view of baked pizza bowls on sheet pan.

Serve warm and enjoy!

Overhead view of single white pizza bowl on grey surface by a spoon.

Recipe Tips & Tricks

  • Try to use a marinara sauce or pizza sauce that is thick in texture to prevent excess liquid from gathering in the pizza bowls.
  • Try not to tightly pack the toppings into the ramekin.
  • Chop the pepperoni and mushrooms into smaller pieces if needed.
  • Use standard-size ramekins that are about 6 ounces and 3.5 inches in diameter. You can use the shorter ramekins or the taller ones. If you prefer, you can use larger-size ramekins and make two pizza bowls instead of four.
  • Adjust the toppings and omit or swap out any ingredients that you prefer. This recipe is very forgiving and if you're not a fan of mushrooms, then use green peppers, black olives, and thinly sliced onion instead.
  • This is a great low-carb alternative to having crust pizza. However, if you're not watching your carbs, then feel free to pair it with some crusty bread.

Storage Tips 

Storage. If you have any leftover pizza bowls, then cover the ramekin with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You could also transfer the leftovers into an airtight container. 

Reheating. When ready to serve again, reheat in the microwave until warm or underneath the broiler on medium-low until heated thoroughly. You could also reheat in the microwave for a quicker option. 

Freezing. I would not recommend freezing these pizza bowls, but you may make them ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator until ready to cook.

Close up view of pizza bowl with a spoon dipped into it.

More Recipes You'll Love 

  • Homemade Supreme Pizza
  • Pepperoni Pizza Dip
  • Supreme Pizza Stuffed Shells
  • Meatball Casserole
  • Pepperoni Bread Recipe
  • Homemade Pizza Crust
  • Homemade Supreme Pizza with 6 Toppings
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Have any comments, questions, or other delicious ways to enjoy this Crustless Pizza Bowl Recipe? Please share them in the comments below!

📖 Recipe

Overhead view of single finished pizza bowl on grey surface by a spoon.

Easy Pizza Bowls

LaKita Anderson
Try making these Easy Pizza Bowls for a crustless pizza in a bowl made with all of your favorite toppings. It bakes up in less than five minutes and is the perfect recipe for the whole family to enjoy!
4.76 from 53 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 20 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 554 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Large skillet
  • 1 Sheet pan
  • 4 ramekins

Ingredients
  

  • ½ pound ground Italian sausage, mild, original, or hot
  • 1 cup sliced mushrooms
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • 4 ounces pepperoni
  • 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper

Instructions
 

  • Begin the recipe by grabbing a large skillet and placing it on the stovetop over medium-high heat. Add in the ½ pound ground Italian sausage and cook, stirring often until no longer pink, about 5 to 6 minutes.
  • Carefully remove the cooked sausage from the skillet and place it into a small bowl. Set aside.
  • Using the leftover grease/oil in the skillet from cooking the sausage, add the 1 cup fresh sliced mushrooms (if using), and cook until they begin to soften. About 2 to 3 minutes. *If using canned mushrooms, skip this step.
  • Place four ramekins on a baking sheet and add half (1 cup) of the marinara sauce to the bottom of each ramekin. Smooth it out into an even layer. Top with an even layer of half (1 cup) of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
  • Divide the cooked ½ pound Italian sausage, 4 ounces pepperoni, and 1 cup cooked mushrooms evenly among the four ramekins and place them over the layer of mozzarella cheese.
  • Top with another layer of 1 cup marinara sauce, followed by the remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese, 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, and 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper.
  • Place the baking sheet with the pizza bowls under the broiler on medium-high, until the cheese has lightly browned and the sauce is hot and bubbly. Serve warm and enjoy!

Video

Notes

  • Try to use a marinara sauce or pizza sauce that is thick in texture to prevent excess liquid from gathering in the pizza bowls.
  • Try not to tightly pack the toppings into the ramekin.
  • Chop the pepperoni and mushrooms into smaller pieces if needed.
  • Use standard-size ramekins that are about 6 ounces and 3.5 inches in diameter. You can use the shorter ramekins or the taller ones. If you prefer, you can use larger-size ramekins and make two pizza bowls instead of four.
  • Adjust the toppings and omit or swap out any ingredients that you prefer. This recipe is very forgiving and if you're not a fan of mushrooms, then use green bell peppers and thinly sliced onion instead.
  • This is a great low-carb alternative to having crust pizza. However, if you're not watching your carbs, then feel free to pair it with some crusty bread.
Calories: 554kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 29gFat: 45gSaturated Fat: 19gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 117mgSodium: 1847mgPotassium: 718mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1079IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 340mgIron: 3mg

The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.

Keyword pizza bowls
Tried This Recipe?Leave a comment below or tag @simplylakita on social!

Original post date 11/13/2017. Updated 03/06/2023 & 07/29/2024.

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Comments

    4.76 from 53 votes (32 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Nah says

    September 07, 2024 at 7:35 pm

    If you make this ahead of time, how long/what temp would you recommend/time?

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      September 18, 2024 at 9:21 pm

      I'd assemble it ahead of time and just cook it per the recipe instructions when you're ready to eat it. Hope this helps!

      Reply
  2. Jacqueline says

    August 19, 2024 at 11:46 am

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious with some warm crusty bread!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      August 19, 2024 at 10:22 pm

      Thank you Jacqueline, I love pairing with crusty bread as well 🙂

      Reply
  3. Krysten says

    August 19, 2024 at 7:07 am

    5 stars
    My kids are gonna love this! Super excited to try it. Perfect for a busy back to school night!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      August 19, 2024 at 10:23 pm

      Thank you Krysten! Such a quick week night dinner, hope you get to try it soon 🙂

      Reply
  4. Molly Kumar says

    August 19, 2024 at 5:51 am

    5 stars
    These were so easy to make and everyone loved it. Loved the mix of sausage & mushrooms. Great hit with kids and going to make them again soon.

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      August 19, 2024 at 10:21 pm

      Thank you Molly! I'm glad to hear that you and your family enjoyed them!!

      Reply
  5. Kathryn says

    August 17, 2024 at 9:43 pm

    5 stars
    These pizza bowls are the best!! I could eat them every day and my kids love them too. Thank you for the recipe- I have it saved 🙂

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      August 19, 2024 at 10:21 pm

      Thank you so much Kathryn, I could eat them every day as well!!

      Reply
  6. Lauren says

    August 16, 2024 at 2:18 pm

    5 stars
    These pizza bowls were definitely easy to make, but also very tasty! My kids did not complain about dinner tonight and ate every last bite!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      August 19, 2024 at 10:20 pm

      Thank you Lauren! I glad to hear that you and your family enjoyed the pizza bowls 🙂

      Reply
  7. Amy Liu Dong says

    August 16, 2024 at 12:17 pm

    5 stars
    I love the idea of making a pizza bowl where you can serve this individually. It looks so easy to make and delicious! Yum!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      August 19, 2024 at 10:19 pm

      Thank you so much Amy 🙂

      Reply
  8. Veronika says

    August 14, 2024 at 11:55 pm

    5 stars
    Talk about a quick dinner! This is perfect for weeknight dinners and quick lunches. We loved these little bowls with a small salad on the side.

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      August 19, 2024 at 10:19 pm

      Thank you Veronika, pairing with a side salad sounds perfect!

      Reply
  9. Juyali says

    August 13, 2024 at 7:31 am

    5 stars
    Loved the creativity of this recipe. So easy to make and it was done in less than 30 min. They were a huge hit with the whole family. So yummy. Txs!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      August 13, 2024 at 9:43 am

      Thank you Juyali! I'm happy to hear that you and your family enjoyed the pizza bowls 🙂

      Reply
  10. Gloria says

    August 12, 2024 at 4:01 pm

    5 stars
    What a fun twist on pizza. The family can make their bowls. This is great for kids and adults....I know my family will enjoy it.

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      August 19, 2024 at 10:19 pm

      Thank you Gloria and I completely agree, perfect for the whole family!

      Reply
  11. Yu says

    August 12, 2024 at 1:40 pm

    5 stars
    This pizza bowl turned out so good and included all the best parts of pizza! All my family loved it. Thank you for posting this fantastic recipe!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      August 12, 2024 at 2:48 pm

      Thank you so much Yu! Happy to hear you enjoyed the pizza bowls!

      Reply
  12. Jenny says

    March 20, 2023 at 1:29 am

    5 stars
    Ok, pizza bowls are a genius idea, and I am making six tonight for dinner (maybe more, we will see!). I had never thought of such a great recipe, it has all the ingredients I love in a bowl! (I eat everything in a bowl). Thank you for this fab recipe, I can see why it is so popular!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      March 20, 2023 at 9:38 pm

      Thank you so much Jenny! I completely understand, I eat everything in a bowl as well 🙂

      Reply
  13. Enri Lemoine says

    March 19, 2023 at 4:52 pm

    5 stars
    I never had this before, but your photos did the job. You tempted me so badly that I tried this and served it with toasted pita bread. De-li-ci-ous!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      March 20, 2023 at 9:37 pm

      Thank you Enri! Serving it with pita bread sounds amazing!

      Reply
  14. Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says

    March 19, 2023 at 4:02 pm

    5 stars
    Anything pizza and I am in! These are so easy to make and I love that I can make them my own! Pizza is life to me and these are a must-make!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      March 20, 2023 at 9:36 pm

      Thank you Lori! I agree, pizza is life to me as well 🙂

      Reply
  15. Dennis says

    March 19, 2023 at 11:18 am

    5 stars
    I made a large batch of this delicious meat filled dish for my friends and there was not one bite left!
    Great Recipe!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      March 20, 2023 at 9:36 pm

      Thank you Dennis, happy to hear it was a success!

      Reply
  16. Veronika says

    March 17, 2023 at 4:51 pm

    5 stars
    These pizza bowls were delicious! The top crisped up and the flavors were amazing! We served them simple with bread and really enjoyed them.

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      March 20, 2023 at 9:35 pm

      Thank you Veronika, I enjoy pairing it with bread as well!

      Reply
  17. Claire says

    March 17, 2023 at 3:35 pm

    These pizza bowls sound wonderful! We love pizza in our household but our local grocery store doesn't always have dough and I'm not always up for making my own so I love that this skips that entirely. Can't wait to give this a try!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      March 20, 2023 at 9:34 pm

      Thank you Clarie, hope you get the chance to try it soon!

      Reply
« Older Comments
Head shot bio photo of LaKita in an orange shirt.

Hi, I'm LaKita. I'm a Lifelong home cook and self-taught baker. I've been sharing modern comfort food through food blogging, recipe development, and photography since 2013.

More about me →

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