Crustless pizza offers a delicious and creative twist on the beloved classic without compromising flavor. It’s an ideal choice for those seeking a low-carb, gluten-free option that satisfies cravings guilt-free. Indulge in the mouthwatering combination of saucy marinara/pizza sauce, melty mozzarella cheese, savory browned sausage/ground beef, and flavorful toppings like chopped green peppers, pepperonis, and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning.
What is Crustless Pizza?
It is like a regular pizza but without the crust. Instead of the doughy base, the yummy toppings are placed directly on a layer of cheese, veggies, or meat. It’s a great option if you’re watching your carbs or looking for a option.
Is Crustless Pizza Low-Carb?
If you are following a low-carb or gluten-free diet, it is a fantastic alternative to satisfy your pizza cravings. By removing the traditional dough crust, you significantly reduce the carbohydrate content, making it an excellent choice for a low-carb or keto diet.
Ingredients for Crustless Homemade Pizza:
- Marinara or pizza sauce: Provides a flavorful base for the pizza.
- Mozzarella cheese: Melts and adds a gooey, cheesy texture.
- Browned sausage or ground beef: Adds a savory and meaty flavor.
- Green bell pepper: Provides a fresh and crunchy element.
- Pepperonis: Adds a salty and savory taste.
- Italian seasoning: Enhances the overall flavor profile with a blend of herbs and spices.
- What keto-friendly pizza sauce should I use?
For a keto-friendly pizza sauce, I recommend using a low-carb marinara sauce. If you’re unsure which sauce to choose at the grocery store, I’ve listed some of our favorite options below, along with their net carb counts. Be sure to select a sugar-free sauce, meaning no added sugar in the ingredients.
Low Carb Marinara Sauce Options that are sugar-free:
- Rao’s Homemade Marinara Sauce – 4g net carbs per ½ cup
- Rao’s Homemade Tomato Basil Sauce – 3g net carbs per ½ cup
- Lucini Italia Organic Tuscan Marinara Sauce – 3g net carbs per ½ cup
- Lucini Italia Organic Rustic Tomato Basil – 3g net carbs per ½ cup
- Mezzetta Napa Valley Homemade Sauce Marinara – 6g net carbs per ½ cup
How to Make Crustless Pizza Bake in the Oven
Step 1: Preheat your oven: Set your range to around 350°F. Spread a thin, even layer of low-carb tomato sauce. If using a skillet, warm the sauce on the stove. For baking dishes, heat the sauce in the microwave or the oven.
Step 2: Layer mozzarella cheese on top of the pizza sauce.
Tip: I used a 10.25 cast iron skillet, but it isn’t necessary. Feel free to use any skillet or baking dish.
**If you had rather skip preheating the sauce, add all the ingredients to the baking dish and bake for approx 20 minutes on the middle rack of the oven.
Step 3: It’s time for your favorite toppings! I used pepperoni slices, green peppers, onions, and ground beef.
Step 4: Spread the remaining mozzarella cheese evenly on top of the toppings, then sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
Step 5: Pop it in the oven and let it bake for about 5-10 minutes, or until the toppings are perfectly cooked, and the mozzarella cheese gets that irresistible golden brown color and starts bubbling.
Tips for The Best No-Crust Pizza
- Use a combination of cheeses like mozzarella, cheddar, or Parmesan to add richness to your pizza.
- Don’t overload the toppings to prevent the pizza from becoming too heavy and soggy.
- Experiment with different spices and herbs to customize the flavor to your liking.
Variations
- Customize with your favorite pizza toppings like onions, mushrooms, black olives, bacon, ham, bell peppers, Italian sausage, pepperoni, jalapenos, fresh basil, and more.
- Elevate the flavor by adding garlic powder and red pepper flakes.
- Not a fan of pizza sauce? No problem; substitute it with a deliciously creamy cheese sauce.
More Crustless Pizza Ideas
- Meat Lover’s – Load it up with cooked bacon, sausage, pepperoni, and any other meats of your choice for a protein-packed meal.
- Vegetable – Add your favorite fresh vegetables like sliced bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, spinach, and cherry tomatoes.
- BBQ Chicken Lover’s – Pile it high with my homemade sugar-free bbq sauce, chicken, and mozzarella cheese for a tangy twist.
Can I make individual-sized crustless pizzas?
Yes, absolutely! You can use small baking dishes, ramekins, disposable baking pans, or muffin tins to create individual portions. Divide the toppings and cheese among the individual containers, and bake them until the cheese is melted and the toppings are cooked to your liking.
What do I serve with this recipe?
Keep it simple, serve it as is, or pair it with a refreshing leafy green garden salad. For more options, try serving it alongside steamed broccoli or indulge in some keto cheesy garlic bread chaffles.
How Many Carbs in Keto Pizza?
There are 2g of net carbs per serving, based on dividing the recipe into three equal serving sizes. Please note that the nutritional information in the recipe card is specific to this pizza. Modifying the toppings or using a different pizza sauce may vary the net carb content.
How to Store and Reheat Crustless Pizza?
Let it cool, then store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. When reheating your crustless pizza, you have a couple of options. If using the oven, preheat to 350°F and bake for 10-15 minutes until heated through. For a single serving, you can use the microwave, starting with 45 seconds and checking for doneness. If it needs more heating, continue in 30-second increments until warmed to your liking. Please note that microwave times may vary depending on the portion size.
Where to Buy Crustless Pizza?
- Papa Murphy
- Papa Johns
- Lou Malnati’s
- Marco’s Pizza Bowls
- Mazzios
- CiCi’s Pizza may not be an official menu item, but you can ask the cooks to make a bowl with your favorite toppings.
More Delicious Keto Pizza Recipes:
Quick & Easy Keto Crustless Pizza
Packed with flavorful toppings and gooey melted cheese, this Low-Carb Crustless Pizza is a guilt-free twist on a classic favorite that satisfies your cravings without the need for a traditional crust.
Servings: 3
Calories: 339kcal
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce or pizza sauce See low carb marinara sauce suggestions in the post.
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup browned sausage (or ground beef)
- 1 tbsp green pepper, chopped
- 16 pepperonis
- 1/4 tsp Italian seasoning
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Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) to ensure it’s nice.
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Grab a cast-iron or regular skillet. Pour 1/2 cup of marinara or pizza sauce into the skillet and heat it on the stove until the sauce starts to bubble. This step will help reduce the overall baking time later on.
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Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the bubbling sauce, reserving about 1/4 cup for later. We want that ooey-gooey cheese goodness in every bite!
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It’s time to add your favorite toppings. Whether you prefer browned sausage, ground beef, veggies, or a combination, layer them on top of the cheese.
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Once your toppings are in place, sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top. This will help hold everything together and create a delicious cheesy finish.
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To add flavor, sprinkle some Italian seasoning evenly across the pizza.
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Place your skillet or baking dish on the top rack of the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 5 to 10 minutes, keeping an eye on it as it cooks. The mozzarella cheese should begin to bubble and turn golden brown. The exact baking time may vary depending on your oven.
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Once the top is golden and bubbly, carefully remove it from the oven using oven mitts or potholders. Allow it to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Low-Carb Marinara Sauce Options
- Rao’s Homemade Marinara Sauce – 4g net carbs per ½ cup
- Rao’s Homemade Tomato Basil Sauce – 3g net carbs per ½ cup
- Lucini Italia Organic Tuscan Marinara Sauce – 3g net carbs per ½ cup
- Lucini Italia Organic Rustic Tomato Basil – 3g net carbs per ½ cup
- Mezzetta Napa Valley Homemade Sauce Marinara – 6g net carbs per ½ cup
Tips for The Best No-Crust Pizza
- Use a combination of cheeses like mozzarella, cheddar, or parmesan to add richness to your pizza.
- Don’t overload the toppings to prevent the pizza from becoming too heavy and soggy.
- Experiment with different spices and herbs to customize the flavor to your liking.
Variations for Crustless Pizza Bake Recipe
Calories: 339kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 27g | Fiber: 1g