Who says low-carb dieters can’t have pizza? This recipe has all your favorite parts of pizza, minus the crust, for an easy low-carb meal.
A low-carb diet is my go-to plan for quickly dropping pounds, so I do low-carb “sprints” from time to time. The first few weeks are okay, but as time wears on, the diet can get rough. Eating low-carb or keto can be a real bummer sometimes because it takes so many tasty meals off your plate, literally. And usually, by week three, I’m craving things from my high-carb life, such as sourdough sandwiches, black bean soup, and—most of all—pizza.
You can’t exactly make a low-carb black bean soup, nor can you take the carbs out of sourdough. But pizza has surely improved leaps and bounds in the low-carb department over the past decade. With all the low-carb crust options involving everything from cauliflower to straight-up meat (heard of meat-za, anyone?), it’s no big deal to eat pizza on a low-carb diet. But not everyone enjoys a flat disk made entirely of meat, and cauliflower crusts sometimes leave something to be desired.
This crustless pizza recipe relieves the crust-based decision fatigue from an already-struggling low-carb dieter’s mind. Hear me out: the best part of pizza is the toppings anyway. So why not ditch the crust entirely? This version of pizza is simple, both in ingredients and prep, and it’s full of cheese, pepperoni, and low-carb pizza sauce to satisfy your biggest pizza cravings.
Is This Crustless Pizza Healthy?
Crustless pizza calls for cheese, ground beef (or turkey), and pepperoni, giving this dish quite a bit of protein and lots of fat, which is key for keto dieters particularly. The mozzarella cheese also provides some calcium.
All that being said, it’s hard to call this dish healthy, especially if you aren’t following a low-carb diet. Overall, the dish is high in fat and calories, including unhealthy saturated fats, and it contains very little fiber. It is, however, gluten-free and (of course) low-carb. You can make the pizza dairy-free by substituting dairy-free cheese for the mozzarella.
Toppings ‘Til Your Heart’s Content
Toppings on a pizza make the world go round, and this pizza’s lack of a crust makes that especially true. You don’t have to worry about the crust being able to hold all the toppings you want, so in this case, don’t hold back when it comes to what’s on top! Try a few of my favorite toppings out for a spin in this recipe.
- Bacon, pineapple, spinach, and feta. Keep the mozzarella in this version, but throw some feta on top, and swap the pepperoni for crumbled bacon, pineapple chunks, and a handful of baby spinach. I recommend ground turkey instead of beef here!
- Pepperoncini, mushrooms, and pepperoni. I love the vinegary spice from the pepperoncini in this version. Cook the mushrooms in a skillet beforehand if you don’t want to risk a watery pizza top!
- The veggie special. Chop up some bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, red onion, black olives, mushrooms, pepperoncini, and baby spinach, and top your pizza with them for a veggie-lover’s dream. I like adding fresh chopped basil to mine as garnish. If you’re trying to make a vegetarian pizza, swap the ground beef for a plant-based substitute!
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Allow your crustless pizza to cool completely before placing it in an airtight container. In the fridge, your crustless pizza should last for up to 4 days. In the freezer, however, your crustless pizza can last for up to 3 months. Just make sure to use a freezer-safe container if you go this route. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating in the oven or microwave.
Serving Suggestions
Crustless pizza is just like traditional pizza, but without the crust. So any of your typical pizza sides would go great with crustless pizza! A side of wings perhaps? Try any of these amazing wing recipes on FFF: Baked BBQ Chicken Wings, Teriyaki Chicken Wings, Lemon-Pepper Chicken Wings, and traditional Buffalo Chicken Wings.
All the cheese and meat might make you crave a salad. Try a Greek Cucumber Salad or a Green Goddess Salad. And if you’re not on a low-carb diet, why not pair your crustless pizza with a side of Garlic Toast? It would be so delicious dipped in the sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey)
- ½ cup onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup low-sugar pizza sauce
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup pepperoni slices
- Sliced mushrooms, black olives, bell peppers optional toppings
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Grease a baking dish with olive oil.
- In a skillet, cook the ground beef (or turkey) over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat. Add onion and garlic, cooking until soft.
- Stir in pizza sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Cook for a few minutes to blend the flavors.
- Transfer the meat mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni. Add any other desired toppings.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden. Let cool before serving.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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