Easy Pizza Bowls

Published: Jul 29, 2024 · Modified: Aug 8, 2024 by LaKita · This post may contain affiliate links · 76 Comments

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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.

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.
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.
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.
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.
Pepperoni - You may use regular pepperoni slices, mini pepperoni, or turkey pepperoni. Any brand of pepperoni that you prefer is perfectly fine.
Parmesan Cheese - Grated Parmesan cheese adds another cheese and gives the pizza bowls that classic pizza flavor.
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.

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

Have any comments, questions, or other delicious ways to enjoy this Crustless Pizza Bowl Recipe? Please share them in the comments below!

📖 Recipe

Easy Pizza Bowls

LaKita Anderson

4.76 from 53 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings

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.

Nutrition

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

*All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands used, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.

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