Crustless Pizza

Crustless Pizza is a low-carb, high-flavor alternative to traditional pizza that skips the dough but keeps all the cheesy, saucy goodness you crave. Loaded with your favorite toppings and baked in a casserole-style dish, this easy meal is perfect for weeknight dinners, keto-friendly diets, or anyone looking to enjoy pizza without the crust.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Crustless Pizza is quick, satisfying, and totally customizable. It’s everything you love about pizza—cheese, sauce, and toppings—without the heaviness of the crust. It’s gluten-free, low in carbs, and bakes up bubbly and delicious in under 30 minutes. Whether you’re following a low-carb diet or just want a lighter option, this recipe delivers big flavor with minimal effort.

ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Marinara or pizza sauce
• Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Cooked ground beef, sausage, or pepperoni slices
• Chopped vegetables (such as bell peppers, onions, mushrooms)
• Italian seasoning
• Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
• Red pepper flakes (optional)

directions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a greased 9×9-inch or 9×13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom.
3. Sprinkle a layer of shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
4. Add a layer of your favorite cooked toppings (meat and vegetables).
5. Repeat layers as desired, finishing with a generous layer of cheese on top.
6. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, Parmesan, and red pepper flakes if using.
7. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
8. Let cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Servings and timing

Serves 4–6
Prep time: 10 minutes
Bake time: 25 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes

Variations

• Keto-Friendly: Use sugar-free marinara and top with fatty meats like sausage or bacon.
• Vegetarian: Skip the meat and use spinach, olives, tomatoes, and mushrooms.
• Buffalo Chicken: Use shredded chicken, hot sauce, and blue cheese.
• Supreme Style: Combine pepperoni, sausage, peppers, onions, and mushrooms.
• Breakfast Pizza: Add scrambled eggs, bacon, and cheddar cheese for a morning twist.

storage/reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat in the microwave or oven at 350°F until warmed through.
Freezing is possible but may slightly change the texture—wrap tightly and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw before reheating.

FAQs

What is crustless pizza?

Crustless pizza is a casserole-style dish made with traditional pizza toppings and cheese, baked without a dough base.

Is it gluten-free?

Yes, as long as all ingredients (especially sauce and meats) are gluten-free.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes—assemble in the baking dish, cover, and refrigerate until ready to bake.

How do I avoid watery pizza?

Drain vegetables and cooked meats well before layering. Avoid high-moisture toppings like fresh tomatoes unless seeded.

Can I use a cast-iron skillet?

Absolutely! It helps achieve crispier edges and is oven-safe.

Is this recipe keto?

Yes, especially if you use low-carb sauce and high-fat toppings.

What kind of cheese works best?

Mozzarella is classic, but you can mix in provolone, cheddar, or Parmesan for more flavor.

Can I serve this with anything?

Serve with a simple salad, garlic green beans, or cauliflower breadsticks for a full meal.

Will it slice like regular pizza?

It’s softer and more casserole-like but can be sliced into squares or scooped.

Can I freeze leftovers?

Yes—cool completely, wrap tightly, and freeze. Reheat in the oven or microwave.

Conclusion

Crustless Pizza is a fast, delicious, and flexible way to enjoy all your favorite pizza flavors without the crust. Perfect for low-carb lifestyles, gluten-free needs, or just a lighter dinner, it satisfies your pizza cravings with minimal prep and maximum flavor. Customize it to your taste, bake it up bubbly and golden, and dig in.

Print