Cottage cheese pizza bowl is the perfect way to enjoy all the melty, cheesy goodness of your favorite pizza—without the carbs or guilt. This easy, 20-minute recipe uses creamy cottage cheese as the base, topped with sautéed veggies, Italian spices, and gooey melted cheese for a comforting bowl that’s as satisfying as it is nourishing.
Whether you’re low-carb, keto, gluten-free, or just love quick meals, this dish is your new weeknight hero. It’s fully customizable and delivers that pizza flavor hit without the greasy crust. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowl

- 🧀 Creamy + cheesy – All the pizza flavor, minus the crust
- ⏱️ Quick & easy – Ready in just 20 minutes
- 🥦 Low carb & high protein – Only 12g carbs and 20g protein per bowl
- 🥗 Versatile – Add your favorite toppings, veggies, or protein
- 🍕 Pizza without guilt – No flour, no bloat, all flavor
Ingredients
- 2 cups cottage cheese – High in protein and creamy
- 1 cup bell peppers, chopped – Red, yellow, or green
- 1 medium zucchini, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 tsp garlic powder – Or 1 clove fresh garlic
- 1 cup shredded cheese – Mozzarella, pepper jack, or a blend
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning – Or your favorite pizza herbs
- 1 tbsp olive oil – Or avocado oil
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes – Optional for a kick
🔄 Want to switch it up? Add spinach, mushrooms, olives, or leftover chicken!
Instructions
1. Prep the Veggies
Wash and chop all your vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Halve the tomatoes for extra juiciness.
2. Sauté the Aromatics
In a skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until soft. Add garlic powder and red pepper flakes; stir for 1 more minute.
3. Cook the Veggies
Add zucchini, bell peppers, and tomatoes to the skillet. Cook for 5–7 minutes until just tender. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
4. Mix with Cottage Cheese
In a bowl, combine the cooked veggies with the cottage cheese. Stir gently to combine.
5. Top with Cheese & Broil
Transfer mixture to a heat-safe bowl or small baking dish. Top with shredded cheese. Broil for 2–3 minutes until bubbly and golden.
6. Serve & Enjoy
Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil or parsley if desired. Dig in immediately for maximum gooeyness!
Recipe Details

- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Servings: 4 bowls
- Difficulty: Easy
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
- Calories: 250
- Carbs: 12g
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Gluten-free | Vegetarian | Low-carb
Tips & Variations
- 🌶️ Add heat: Extra red pepper or jalapeños for spice lovers
- 🧀 Cheese swap: Use feta, parmesan, or cheddar for flavor variety
- 🥩 Add protein: Stir in shredded chicken, turkey, or cooked sausage
- 🍅 Sauce it up: Mix in a few spoonfuls of marinara or pesto
- 🌿 Fresh herbs: Basil, oregano, or parsley brighten the whole dish
- 🧊 Meal prep: Prep the veggie mix ahead and assemble when ready
FAQs
Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes! Use plant-based cottage cheese and vegan shredded cheese or nutritional yeast.
Is this keto-friendly?
Absolutely. At only 12g net carbs per serving, it fits well within most keto guidelines.
How do I meal prep this?
Sauté the veggies ahead and store them in the fridge. Mix with cottage cheese and bake when ready to eat.
Can I use frozen vegetables?
Yes, but thaw and drain them well before sautéing to avoid excess moisture.
What’s the best cheese for topping?
Mozzarella melts beautifully, but try a pizza blend, pepper jack for spice, or even smoked gouda for depth.

Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowl
Equipment
- – Skillet
- Mixing bowl
- – Spoon
- – Oven-safe bowl or small baking dish
Ingredients
- – 2 cups cottage cheese
- – 1 cup bell peppers chopped
- – 1 medium zucchini chopped
- – 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- – 1 small onion chopped
- – 1 tsp garlic powder
- – 1 cup shredded cheese your choice
- – 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- – 1 tbsp olive oil
- – 1 tsp red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Prep all vegetables.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion, cook 3–4 min.
- Add garlic powder and red pepper; stir for 1 min.
- Stir in zucchini, peppers, and tomatoes. Cook 5–7 min.
- Mix sautéed veggies with cottage cheese and Italian seasoning in a bowl.
- Transfer to an oven-safe dish. Top with shredded cheese.
- Broil 2–3 min until bubbly and golden.
- Serve hot, garnished if desired.
Notes
– Swap in different cheeses or proteins
– Add marinara or hot sauce for flavor variety
Conclusion
This cottage cheese pizza bowl is everything you love about pizza—cheese, sauce, herbs, and roasted veggies—packed into a nourishing, low-carb dish you can feel good about. It’s fast, flexible, and full of flavor. One bite, and you’ll be hooked.