High Protein Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowls

Sometimes I need a quick lunch that feels like a treat but doesn’t involve turning on the oven or waiting for dough to rise. I want pizza flavor without the hassle of making actual pizza. That’s when I reach for my cottage cheese.

These cottage cheese pizza bowls come together in minutes. No rolling, no kneading, no waiting around. Just a few ingredients mixed in a bowl, topped with your favorites, and heated until the cheese melts. I keep all the ingredients on hand so I can throw one together whenever the craving hits.

Want it spicy? Add more pepperoni. Prefer veggies? Toss in whatever you have. The cottage cheese base gives you protein and keeps you full, while the toppings satisfy that pizza craving. It’s become my go-to when I’m working from home and need something fast.

What Kind of Cottage Cheese Should I Use?

Any cottage cheese you have on hand will work great for these pizza bowls. Full-fat cottage cheese will give you the creamiest, most satisfying base, but low-fat or even fat-free versions work just fine if that’s what you prefer. Small curd tends to blend a bit smoother and creates a more uniform texture, while large curd gives you a chunkier, more rustic feel. If you want an extra smooth consistency, you can give your cottage cheese a quick stir or even blend it for a few seconds before assembling your pizza bowl.

Options for Substitutions

This simple recipe is easy to customize based on what you have in your kitchen:

• Cottage cheese: You can use ricotta cheese as a direct swap – it has a similar texture and mild flavor. Greek yogurt also works if you want a tangier taste, though the consistency will be slightly different.
• Pizza sauce: Marinara sauce or even plain tomato sauce with a pinch of oregano will do the trick. In a pinch, you could use diced tomatoes drained and seasoned with garlic powder and basil.
• Mozzarella: Any melting cheese works here – try provolone, cheddar, or a Mexican cheese blend. Each will give you a different flavor profile but still that gooey, cheesy goodness.
• Pepperoni: Switch it up with any pizza topping you like – cooked sausage, diced ham, olives, bell peppers, mushrooms, or even leftover grilled chicken. You can also skip the meat entirely and load up on veggies.
• Italian seasoning: If you don’t have Italian seasoning, use a mix of dried basil and oregano, or just oregano on its own will work fine.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking

The biggest mistake people make with cottage cheese pizza bowls is skipping the cooling period, which might seem unnecessary but actually allows the cheese to set properly so you don’t burn your mouth on molten mozzarella.

Another common error is using a dish that’s too large – stick with a small ramekin or oven-safe bowl so the ingredients stay concentrated and heat evenly, otherwise you’ll end up with a thin, dried-out layer instead of a satisfying pizza-like texture.

To avoid a watery mess, make sure to drain any excess liquid from your cottage cheese before mixing it with the sauce, and if you’re using full-fat mozzarella, consider patting the pepperoni slices with a paper towel to prevent grease from pooling on top.

Finally, watch your pizza bowl closely during the last few minutes of baking since ovens vary – you want the cheese melted and bubbly but not browned to the point of being tough.

What to Serve With Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowls?

These pizza bowls are pretty filling on their own, but I love pairing them with a simple side salad tossed with Italian dressing to keep with the pizza theme. Garlic bread or breadsticks are perfect for scooping up any leftover sauce and cheese from the bottom of your bowl. If you’re extra hungry, some roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or mushrooms make a great addition and add more nutrients to your meal. For a lighter option, try serving them alongside some fresh cherry tomatoes and cucumber slices with a sprinkle of salt and pepper.

Storage Instructions

Store: These pizza bowls are best enjoyed fresh, but you can keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The cottage cheese might release a bit of liquid as it sits, so just give it a quick stir before reheating.

Reheat: Pop your pizza bowl in the microwave for about 45-60 seconds until the cheese is melted and bubbly again. You can also warm it up in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes if you want the pepperoni to get a little crispy on top.

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 220-260
• Protein: 16-20 g
• Fat: 12-16 g
• Carbohydrates: 7-10 g

Ingredients

For the base:

• 3/4 cup cottage cheese (I use Good Culture for a thicker texture)
• 1/3 cup pizza sauce (I prefer Rao’s for the best flavor)
• 3/4 tsp italian seasoning
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder

For the topping:

• 1/4 cup mozzarella
• 1/2 oz pepperoni (cut into 1/4-inch pieces to ensure even distribution)

Step 1: Prepare Ingredients and Preheat Oven

• 1/2 oz pepperoni
• oven preheated to 425°F

Preheat your oven to 425°F.

While it heats, cut the pepperoni into 1/4-inch pieces to ensure even distribution throughout the dish—this prevents large pieces from overpowering any single bite.

I find that cutting pepperoni slightly on the bias makes the pieces lay flatter and cook more evenly in the high heat.

Step 2: Build the Cottage Cheese Base

• 3/4 cup cottage cheese
• 1/3 cup pizza sauce
• 3/4 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder

In a bowl, combine the cottage cheese, pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.

Stir until well mixed and evenly seasoned throughout.

The cottage cheese will provide a creamy, protein-rich base while the sauce and spices create the pizza flavor foundation.

I like to use thicker cottage cheese brands because they hold their structure better during baking rather than becoming watery.

Step 3: Transfer to Baking Dish and Top

• cottage cheese mixture from Step 2
• 1/4 cup mozzarella
• pepperoni from Step 1

Pour the cottage cheese mixture into an oven-safe dish (a 6-8 inch baking dish or individual ramekins work well).

Spread it into an even layer, then top evenly with the mozzarella cheese and the prepared pepperoni pieces.

The even distribution ensures that every spoonful has a balanced ratio of cheese, pepperoni, and the creamy base.

Step 4: Bake Until Bubbly and Golden

• prepared pizza bowl from Step 3

Place the dish in the preheated 425°F oven and bake for 10 minutes, until the mozzarella is melted and bubbly and the edges are beginning to brown slightly.

The high heat creates a slightly crispy, browned top while keeping the cottage cheese base creamy and rich.

Step 5: Cool and Serve

Remove from the oven and let cool for 2-3 minutes before serving.

This brief cooling period allows the cheese to set slightly so it won’t be scalding hot and will hold its shape better when you eat it.

Serve warm and enjoy straight from the dish or transfer to a bowl if using individual ramekins.

High Protein Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowls

Delicious High Protein Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowls recipe with step-by-step instructions.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings 1 serving

Calories 240 kcal

Ingredients

  

For the base::

• 3/4 cup cottage cheese (I use Good Culture for a thicker texture)
• 1/3 cup pizza sauce (I prefer Rao’s for the best flavor)
• 3/4 tsp italian seasoning
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder

For the topping::

• 1/4 cup mozzarella
• 1/2 oz pepperoni (cut into 1/4-inch pieces to ensure even distribution)

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 425°F. While it heats, cut the pepperoni into 1/4-inch pieces to ensure even distribution throughout the dish—this prevents large pieces from overpowering any single bite. I find that cutting pepperoni slightly on the bias makes the pieces lay flatter and cook more evenly in the high heat.
• In a bowl, combine the cottage cheese, pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Stir until well mixed and evenly seasoned throughout. The cottage cheese will provide a creamy, protein-rich base while the sauce and spices create the pizza flavor foundation. I like to use thicker cottage cheese brands because they hold their structure better during baking rather than becoming watery.
• Pour the cottage cheese mixture into an oven-safe dish (a 6-8 inch baking dish or individual ramekins work well). Spread it into an even layer, then top evenly with the mozzarella cheese and the prepared pepperoni pieces. The even distribution ensures that every spoonful has a balanced ratio of cheese, pepperoni, and the creamy base.
• Place the dish in the preheated 425°F oven and bake for 10 minutes, until the mozzarella is melted and bubbly and the edges are beginning to brown slightly. The high heat creates a slightly crispy, browned top while keeping the cottage cheese base creamy and rich.
• Remove from the oven and let cool for 2-3 minutes before serving. This brief cooling period allows the cheese to set slightly so it won't be scalding hot and will hold its shape better when you eat it. Serve warm and enjoy straight from the dish or transfer to a bowl if using individual ramekins.