Ingredients
Scale
- For the Meat Base:
- 1.5 lbs Ground Beef (80/20 or 85/15 recommended for good flavor and fat content) or Italian Sausage (check for no added sugars)
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil or Avocado Oil
- 1/2 cup Chopped Yellow Onion (approximately 1 small onion)
- 1 cup Sliced Bell Peppers (any color, or a mix)
- 1 cup Sliced Mushrooms (cremini or button)
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
- 1/2 tsp Salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper (or to taste)
- Optional: 1/4 tsp Red Pepper Flakes for a bit of heat
- For the Pizza Layers:
- 1 cup Low-Sugar Marinara or Pizza Sauce (ensure it’s keto-friendly, ideally under 5g net carbs per 1/2 cup serving)
- 4 oz Sliced Pepperoni (check for no added sugars)
- 1/2 cup Sliced Black Olives (optional)
- Other keto-friendly toppings of choice: cooked crumbled bacon, sliced jalapeños, cooked Italian sausage chunks (if using ground beef as the base), cooked ham, artichoke hearts (in moderation).
- For the Cheesy Topping:
- 2 cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (whole milk, low moisture is best for melting)
- 1/2 cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese
- Optional: Fresh Basil or Parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the Meat:
- If using ground beef: Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet (cast iron works wonderfully) over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned (about 5-7 minutes). Drain off any excess grease.
- If using Italian sausage (casings removed): Cook in the skillet similarly until browned and cooked through. Drain excess grease.
- Sauté Aromatics and Vegetables:
- To the skillet with the cooked meat, add the chopped onion and bell peppers. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until they begin to soften.
- Add the sliced mushrooms and minced garlic. Cook for another 3-4 minutes, until mushrooms have released their liquid and are tender.
- Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Mix well to combine all the flavors.
- Add the Sauce:
- Pour the low-sugar marinara or pizza sauce over the meat and vegetable mixture in the skillet. Stir thoroughly to ensure everything is well coated. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes for the flavors to meld.
- Assemble the “Pizza” Layers (if using a skillet that goes into the oven):
- If your skillet is oven-safe, you can build the pizza bowl directly in it. Smooth the meat and sauce mixture to create an even base.
- Arrange your chosen toppings, like pepperoni slices and black olives, evenly over the sauce mixture.
- Sprinkle generously with the shredded mozzarella cheese, followed by the shredded Parmesan cheese.
- Assemble in Baking Dish (if not using an oven-safe skillet):
- If your skillet isn’t oven-safe, transfer the meat, vegetable, and sauce mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish or individual oven-safe bowls.
- Spread the mixture evenly.
- Layer with pepperoni, olives, and any other desired toppings.
- Top generously with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Bake:
- Place the skillet or baking dish into the preheated oven.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted, bubbly, and starting to turn golden brown in spots. The edges should be bubbling.
- Rest and Garnish:
- Carefully remove the Keto Pizza Bowl from the oven. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the cheese to set slightly and prevents a molten cheese lava situation (though some enjoy that!).
- Garnish with fresh chopped basil or parsley if desired just before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: One Normal Portion
- Calories: 550-650