If you’re looking for a quick, high protein dinner that actually tastes like comfort food, these Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowls are about to become your new go to. This recipe takes everything you love about pizza and turns it into a simple, budget friendly bowl using ingredients you probably already have on hand.
I started making this after seeing a viral TikTok version, but I wanted something more filling and realistic for everyday meals. By adding ground beef, ravioli, and cottage cheese, this turns into a hearty, satisfying dish that reheats well and keeps you full for hours.
If you like cottage cheese recipes please try Creamy Baked Ravioli, Viral Cottage Cheese Flatbread, 4 ingredient taco dip with cottage cheese, and Cottage Cheese Pancakes (High Protein).
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Why You Will Like This Recipe
These cottage cheese bowls are very high in protein with the ground beef and cottage cheese. P.S. you can add noodles if you want to just make sure you pre cook them.
- Easy to customize with your favorite toppings
- High in protein and very filling
- Made with simple, affordable ingredients
- Tastes like pizza but more satisfying
- Comes together in about 20 minutes
- Great for leftovers and meal prep
Ingredients Needed
- Cottage cheese, drained - It can be enjoyed on its own or as a component of both sweet and savory dishes. From being a staple in salads and dips to serving as a filling for pancakes and pastries, or even as an alternative to ricotta in lasagna, cottage cheese can do it all.
- Marinara sauce - homemade or store-bought
- Mozzarella cheese - I like to use Reduced-Fat Cheese because it has a lower calorie count and less saturated fat than regular cheese, but it may also have a different taste and texture. It also helps with keeping the calorie count pretty low for this recipe.
- Cooked ground beef - No ground beef? Use frozen meatballs instead. I have tried these bowl type recipes with frozen meatballs instead of ground beef. I air fry them for 10 minutes at 400 degrees if I don’t have any crumbled and cooked ground beef at the moment.
- Turkey pepperoni - or regular pepperoni, chopped
- Optional toppings: sliced mushrooms and peppers, sliced olives, chopped tomatoes, or any of your favorite pizza toppings
How to make Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowls
Step 1: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon or spatula. Season it with a pinch of salt and pepper or other seasonings as desired.
Step 2: Cook the beef, stirring and continuing to break it apart, until it is fully browned and no longer pink inside. This usually takes about 7-10 minutes, depending on the amount of beef and the heat of your stove.
Step 3: Once cooked, if there’s excess grease, you can drain it off by tilting the skillet and or using a paper towel to soak up the excess grease. Set aside.
Step 4: In a microwave safe bowl add the cottage cheese, cooked ground beef, pepperoni, marinara sauce, cheese, and whatever extra toppings you like. Microwave on high for 1 to 2 minutes.
Pro Tips
- Use 90 or 93 percent lean ground beef if you want a lighter option
- Do not skip the cottage cheese. It adds creaminess and extra protein without making the dish heavy
- If your mixture looks a little thick, add a splash of water or extra sauce
- Cover the pan when melting the cheese so it gets perfectly gooey
- Add spinach or mushrooms if you want to stretch the meal further
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To reheat, microwave in 30 to 60 second intervals, stirring halfway through. Add a small splash of water or sauce to keep it from drying out.
This recipe reheats very well, making it perfect for meal prep or next day lunches.
Recipe FAQS
Yes, ground turkey or chicken works well as a substitute for ground beef.
Yes, this is one of those meals that tastes just as good the next day.
You can freeze it, but the texture of the cottage cheese may change slightly after thawing.
Recommended Tools to Make This Recipe
Glass Pyrex bowls - these dishes are great cause like I said above, you can use to for the microwave, air fryer, or oven to cook in. They are also great for storage containers.
If you tried this Viral Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowls or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you! Follow along on Tiktok @jennarecipediaries
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Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowls
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 2 min
- Total Time: 12 min
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Easy
- Method: Microwave
- Cuisine: American
Description
This recipe for Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowls offers a fun and healthy alternative to traditional pizza, perfect for those looking to satisfy their pizza cravings with a nutritious twist.
Ingredients
- ½ cup cottage cheese, drained (low fat)
- 2 tablespoons marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 oz shredded part skim mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup of cooked ground beef
- 5 slices of turkey pepperoni
- Optional toppings: sliced mushrooms and peppers, sliced olives, chopped tomatoes, or any of your favorite pizza toppings
Instructions
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon or spatula. Season it with a pinch of salt and pepper or other seasonings as desired.
Cook the beef, stirring and continuing to break it apart, until it is fully browned and no longer pink inside. This usually takes about 7-10 minutes, depending on the amount of beef and the heat of your stove.
Once cooked, if there’s excess grease, you can drain it off by tilting the skillet and spooning it out or by transferring the beef to a colander to drain. Set aside.
In a microwave safe bowl add the cottage cheese, cooked ground beef, pepperoni, marinara sauce, cheese, and whatever extra toppings you like. Microwave on high for 1 to 2 minutes.
Notes
Sometimes I will cook up some tortellini ro cheese ravioli on the stove and add it to this. So good, makes it 10 times better if you aren't low carb.
Store leftover ground beef in containers to make throughout the week. This recipe can make up to four servings.
9 WW points
Jennifer says
This is so yummy, and what a quick way to make lasagna!