Cheesy, meaty, and packed with protein, this crustless pizza pie has all the classic pizza flavors without a traditional flour crust. The cottage cheese helps create a firm, cheesy base while adding extra protein.
Ingredients
Pizza Base
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup cooked lean ground beef
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp salt
Toppings
- ½ cup pizza sauce or marinara sauce
- ½–1 cup shredded mozzarella
- 10–12 pepperoni slices
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- ¼ tsp Italian seasoning
👩🍳 Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan or pie dish and line the bottom with parchment paper.
- Prepare the beef:
If not already cooked, brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Drain excess grease and let it cool slightly. - Make the base:
In a large bowl, combine the cottage cheese, 1 cup mozzarella, eggs, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. - Add the beef:
Fold the cooked ground beef into the mixture until evenly distributed. - Bake the base:
Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for approximately 20–25 minutes, until the center is set and the edges are lightly browned. - Add the pizza toppings:
Remove from the oven and spread the pizza sauce over the top. Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and arrange the pepperoni slices over the cheese. - Finish baking:
Return to the oven for another 8–12 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. - Brown the top:
For a more golden, bubbly finish like the picture, switch to broil for 1–2 minutes, watching closely so it doesn’t burn. - Rest before slicing:
Let the pizza pie rest for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley and Italian seasoning, then slice and serve.
🔥 Tips for a firm crustless pie
- Drain excess liquid from the cottage cheese if it’s very wet.
- Let the pie rest before cutting; this helps it hold its shape.
- Use lean ground beef if you want a higher-protein, lower-fat version.
- You can replace the beef with cooked ground turkey or chicken.
Protein: The advertised 53g per serving is an estimate and will vary based on the cottage cheese, beef, cheese, and serving size you use.
