Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 17 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Recipe Intensity: Beginner
Servings: 2
Cuisine: American
Course: Lunch, Dinner
Ingredients
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 1 cup marinara or pizza sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 20 slices turkey pepperoni or regular pepperoni
- ¼ cup sliced black olives
- ¼ cup sliced mushrooms
- ¼ cup diced green bell pepper
- 2 tablespoons diced onion
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh basil for garnish
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). If using an air fryer, preheat it to 375°F (190°C).
- Divide the cottage cheese evenly between two oven-safe bowls or ramekins.
- Spoon the marinara sauce evenly over the cottage cheese, creating a flavorful pizza-style base.
- Sprinkle the garlic powder and Italian seasoning over the sauce.
- Add the mozzarella cheese evenly across the top.
- Arrange the pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, and black olives over the cheese.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and bubbling.
- For a golden, slightly crispy cheese topping, broil for an additional 1–2 minutes while watching carefully.
- Remove from the oven and let the bowls rest for 2–3 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh basil and grated Parmesan before serving.
Tips for Success
- Use full-fat cottage cheese for the creamiest texture.
- Low-fat cottage cheese works well if you want fewer calories.
- Drain excess liquid from cottage cheese if needed for a thicker consistency.
- Add cooked chicken, turkey sausage, or ground beef for even more protein.
- Fresh vegetables provide the best texture and flavor.
- Broiling at the end creates an authentic pizza-style cheese topping.
Variations
- Make it vegetarian by skipping the pepperoni.
- Add spinach, zucchini, or cherry tomatoes for extra vegetables.
- Use spicy sausage instead of pepperoni for extra flavor.
- Mix in jalapeños for a spicy version.
- Swap mozzarella with provolone or an Italian cheese blend.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat in the microwave for 1–2 minutes or bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 8 minutes until warmed through.
Freezing is not recommended because cottage cheese may change texture after thawing.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowl with:
- A fresh green salad
- Garlic roasted vegetables
- Cauliflower breadsticks
- Whole-grain toast
- Fresh fruit for a balanced meal
Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 360
- Protein: 34 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Sugar: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Calcium: 30% Daily Value
- Iron: 8% Daily Value