Description
Cheesy pizza bowls deliver a delightful twist on classic Italian cuisine, turning familiar flavors into a comforting handheld meal. Crispy bread edges cradle melted cheese and zesty toppings, inviting you to savor each delectable bite of this playful culinary creation.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup pepperoni slices
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup bell peppers, diced
- 1/2 cup onions, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Cheese and Toppings:
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1 cup cooked rice or pasta (optional base)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a baking dish by lightly greasing it to prevent sticking.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it into crumbles until fully cooked and no pink remains.
- Drain excess fat from the beef, then add minced garlic, chopped onions, and diced bell peppers to the skillet, sautéing until vegetables become tender and fragrant.
- Incorporate marinara sauce, italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper into the meat mixture, stirring thoroughly to combine all flavors.
- If using rice or pasta as a base, spread it evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Layer the seasoned beef and vegetable mixture over the base, creating an even distribution.
- Sprinkle pepperoni slices across the top of the meat mixture.
- Generously cover the entire surface with shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan cheese.
- Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is completely melted and slightly golden.
- Remove from oven and let cool for 3-5 minutes to allow the cheese to set.
- Garnish with freshly chopped basil leaves before serving hot.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a healthier protein option with lower fat content.
- Customize vegetable mix by adding zucchini, mushrooms, or spinach to increase nutritional value and create more complex flavor profiles.
- Use cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles as low-carb alternatives to traditional rice or pasta bases for gluten-free and keto-friendly variations.
- Experiment with different cheese combinations like provolone, fontina, or goat cheese to elevate the dish’s richness and introduce unique taste dimensions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg