Dinner

Pizza Bowl Recipe

ByAiden Wells October 26, 2025October 26, 2025

Introduction

This Pizza Bowl is a fun and convenient way to enjoy all the flavors of pizza without the crust. Layered with rich sauce, gooey cheese, savory sausage, and fresh veggies, it’s perfect for a quick dinner or snack that feels indulgent and satisfying.

Four small blue ceramic bowls filled with a layered dish on a white marbled surface, each bowl showing three main layers: a base layer of melted cheese with a golden and slightly bubbly texture, topped with a thick layer of chunky tomato sauce mixed with browned ground meat, diced red bell peppers, and onions, and finished with a sprinkle of grated white cheese and fresh green basil leaves scattered on top. The bowls are arranged closely, some herbs and red pepper flakes scattered around them along with small green leafy garnishes. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

Cooking spray
1 cup pizza sauce*
8 slices mozzarella cheese*
40 pepperonis
1/2 pound ground Italian sausage (cooked*)
1/2 cup diced peppers
1/2 cup diced onions
Italian seasoning
Parmesan cheese
Red chili flakes
Basil

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place four 7-ounce oven-safe ramekins on a baking sheet and lightly grease them with cooking spray.
Step 2: Spoon 2 tablespoons of pizza sauce into one ramekin.
Step 3: Sprinkle a pinch of Italian seasoning over the sauce.
Step 4: Tuck the corners of a mozzarella slice so it fits inside the ramekin on top of the sauce.
Step 5: Arrange 5 pepperonis in a circle on top of the cheese.
Step 6: Add a layer of cooked ground sausage over the pepperoni.
Step 7: Sprinkle diced peppers over the sausage layer.
Step 8: Add diced onions on top of the peppers.
Step 9: Repeat the layering starting again with sauce and finishing with peppers.
Step 10: Repeat these layers for all four ramekins.
Step 11: Cover loosely with foil and bake for 10 to 15 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake uncovered for another 10 minutes. Alternatively, microwave each ramekin in 30-second intervals until heated through, or air fry at 350°F for 10 to 15 minutes.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, sprinkle Parmesan cheese and red chili flakes on top before baking.
Try swapping Italian sausage for cooked ground beef or turkey for a different protein option.
Add mushrooms or olives for more veggie variety.
If you prefer a vegetarian version, skip the sausage and pepperoni and load up on vegetables and extra cheese.
Use fresh basil leaves on top after baking for a bright, fresh finish.

Storage

Store leftover pizza bowls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, microwave covered for 1-2 minutes or bake in the oven at 350°F until warmed through to keep layers intact and cheese melty.

How to Serve

This image shows a close-up of a blue small pot filled with a colorful baked dish. It has about three layers: the bottom layer looks like cooked ground meat with a brown color and crumbly texture, the middle layer has red chunks of bell pepper and some white pieces of onion, and the top layer is melted orange cheese with strings of cheese being lifted by a silver fork. The dish is garnished with small green leaves, possibly spinach or basil, and some grated white cheese sprinkled on top. The pot sits on a brown tabletop with a slightly worn look, and there are a few green leaves in the foreground. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the pizza bowls and refrigerate them covered for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add the cheese and toppings right before cooking for the best texture.