Name: Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowl (Meal Prep Recipe)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 1/5 cups tomato sauce; 3 cups cottage cheese (Dairyland 4%); 2 oz white onion (diced); 2 oz green pepper (diced); 5 oz fresh button mushrooms (diced); 1 cup dry pepperoni (about 84 slices)

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If you love pizza but want a healthier, protein-packed twist, this Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowl recipe is for you!

A deliciously baked cottage cheese dish with melted cheese, mushrooms, and green peppers in a clear rectangular glass container. Placed in a black air fryer basket, the top layer is golden-brown with bubbling cheese reminiscent of pizza bowls.

It’s got all the best flavors of a pizza without the crust, making it perfect for meal prep and busy weeknights.

Another reason I love making these? My teenage boys are always raiding the fridge and grabbing these bowls!

They’re packed with protein, super satisfying and delicious enough that even my pickiest eater enjoys them. I always make extra because I know they’ll disappear fast!

Three stacked, clear food containers with blue lids sit on a countertop. The containers appear to hold layered meals, possibly cottage cheese pasta dishes with visible cheese and sauce. A small decorative sign is partially visible in the background.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Why You’ll Love These Higher Protein Pizza Bowls

This recipe is a game-changer for pizza lovers who want a healthier option without sacrificing flavor. It’s packed with protein from the cottage cheese and pepperoni, loaded with veggies for added nutrients, and super easy to prepare.

Plus, it’s a perfect meal prep recipe that keeps well in the fridge or freezer – so you can enjoy a delicious, homemade pizza bowl anytime!

Ingredients

Tomato sauce – a rich and flavorful base that brings all the pizza flavors together. Pick your favorite sauce, I like to use our homemade tomato sauce if there is any left in the pantry.
Cottage cheese – I use Dairyland 4%, it’s high in protein and creamy, this adds a delicious, cheesy texture to every bite.
White onion – adds a bit of crunch and natural sweetness to balance the savory elements.
Green bell pepper – a classic pizza topping that brings a pop of color and freshness.
Button mushrooms – these are a must for me on any pizza!
Sliced dry pepperoni – a must-have for that bold, zesty pizza flavor!
Shredded mozzarella cheese – the melty, gooey topping that completes the whole pizza experience.

Three rectangular glass containers brim with red tomato sauce, crowned with cottage cheese and herbs. Nearby bowls hold sliced onions and mushrooms, ready to enhance flavor like toppings on a cottage cheese pizza. All are artfully arranged on a pristine white countertop.

Instructions

1. Into each single-serve glass meal prep container, layer tomato sauce and cottage cheese.

Three glass containers are layered with uncooked ingredients like sliced mushrooms, chopped green bell peppers, and onions on a red sauce base, resembling mini pizza bowls or lasagna-ready dishes, all displayed neatly on a white countertop.

2. Layer with pepperoni slices and vegetables.

Three glass baking dishes filled with uncooked layered pizza ingredients, including shredded mozzarella cheese, sliced mushrooms, cottage cheese, green bell peppers, and pepperoni, arranged on a wooden table like delicious pizza bowls ready to be baked.

3. Top with mozzarella cheese.

4. Repeat the process for 5-6 bowls to cover a week of meal prep.

A stack of three rectangular, clear plastic containers with blue lids rests on a wooden surface. The top container resembles a cottage cheese pizza bowl, bursting with shredded cheese atop a colorful bed of mixed vegetables.

5. Place the lid on each container and refrigerate for up to 1 week or store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

An air fryer with a glass dish inside, featuring a blend of chopped vegetables and grated cheese reminiscent of cottage cheese pizza bowls. The fryer, white with a sleek black interior, rests on a light-colored countertop beside a charming woven basket.

6. To cook (if frozen, defrost completely first), preheat the oven to 350°F and bake for 10-15 minutes or air fry for 5-8 minutes at 400°F.

A glass dish with baked vegetables and melted cheese, reminiscent of a delightful cottage cheese pizza bowl, rests inside an air fryer. The air fryers display shows the word COOL, with its illuminated control buttons casting a soft glow.

Tips & Tricks

Use high-quality cottage cheese – a full-fat version like Dairyland 4% will give you the creamiest, most satisfying texture.
Customize your toppings – add olives, jalapeños, or even cooked sausage for more variety.
Make it vegetarian – skip the pepperoni and add more mushrooms, spinach, or roasted red peppers.
Batch-prep for convenience – store in single-serve glass containers so you can grab and bake whenever hunger strikes.
Reheat for the best texture – if frozen, allow to thaw overnight in the fridge before baking for even cooking.
Go easy on the sauce – too much tomato sauce can make the bowl watery, so stick to the measured amount.

A fork lifts a slice of melty, cheesy pizza from a glass baking dish filled with pizza casserole, enriched with cottage cheese, pepperoni, and vibrant vegetables. The dish rests on a woven placemat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use ricotta instead of cottage cheese?

Yes! Ricotta will give you a smoother, richer texture, but it has slightly less protein than cottage cheese.

How do I prevent the pizza bowls from becoming watery?

Use full-fat cottage cheese, avoid excessive tomato sauce and pre-cook vegetables if they release a lot of moisture.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Absolutely! Swap the cottage cheese for a plant-based alternative and use dairy-free mozzarella for a vegan-friendly version.

These cottage cheese pizza bowls are a delicious, nutritious and meal-prep-friendly way to satisfy those pizza cravings while keeping things light and high in protein.

A couple more meal prep recipes that I am currently loving are these chicken pesto spinach bakes and single serve zucchini lasagna – be sure to check them out!

A baked dish with melted cheese, mushrooms, and herbs is shown in a rectangular glass container. Text above the dish reads cottage cheese pizza bowl meals, and homemadeheather.com is at the bottom.

The next time you’re craving something cheesy, comforting and easy, give this single-serve cheesy pizza bowl a try. Pair it with a simple side salad or roasted veggies for a complete meal.

If you love this cottage cheese pizza bowl, please give it a five star rating and help me share it on Facebook or Pinterest. Happy prepping!