This Mediterranean Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowl is a creamy, cheesy, and flavorful meal. We prepare this pizza bowl with cottage cheese, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, spinach, Kalamata olives, mozzarella, Parmesan, and Mediterranean herbs. This pizza bowl provides approximately 390 calories and 10–11 g of net carbs per serving. We make this pizza bowl in about 35 minutes. This Mediterranean Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowl is ideal for busy weeknights, healthy lunches, quick dinners, meal preparation, family meals, and Mediterranean-inspired eating. You can prepare this pizza bowl earlier and refrigerate it for three days, although freezing is not suggested. You can serve this pizza bowl with Greek Salad, Cucumber Tomato Salad, Arugula Salad, Tabbouleh, or Grilled Chicken.
STATS:
- Course: Main Course
- No. of Calories: 390 kcal
- Diet: Mediterranean, High-Protein
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Cook time: 20–25 minutes
- Portion size: 1 bowl
- Cooking mode: Baking
- Total servings: 2
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Total time: 35 minutes
TOOLS:
- Bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Knife
- Oven-safe bowls
- Cutting board
- Spoon
- Oven
INGREDIENTS:
COTTAGE CHEESE BASE:
- 1½ cups cottage cheese
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- ½ cup bell pepper
- ½ cup spinach
- ¼ cup Kalamata olives
- 1 tsp oregano
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- ¼ tsp salt
CHEESE TOPPING:
- ½ cup mozzarella
- 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese
FINISHING:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp basil
INGREDIENT NOTES AND THEIR SUBSTITUTIONS:
COTTAGE CHEESE:
- We make a creamy, high-protein base for the pizza bowl with cottage cheese. Ricotta cheese is another option.
CHERRY TOMATOES:
- Cherry tomatoes provide freshness, sweetness, and moisture. Additionally, you could utilize diced Roma tomatoes or grape tomatoes.
BELL PEPPER:
- Bell pepper contributes texture, color, and flavor. Mushrooms or zucchini can be used in their place.
SPINACH:
- Spinach adds nutrients, color, and a mild vegetable flavor. Kale or arugula can be used instead.
KALAMATA OLIVES:
- Kalamata olives provide a salty Mediterranean flavor. Green olives can be used, or you can omit them.
MOZZARELLA:
- Mozzarella provides a soft, melted, and cheesy topping. As a different option, we might utilize part-skim mozzarella or feta cheese.
PARMESAN:
- Parmesan adds a savory and slightly nutty flavor. Pecorino Romano can be substituted.
OLIVE OIL:
- Olive oil provides richness and classic Mediterranean flavor. Avocado oil may be utilized as a different choice.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- We warm the oven to 400° Fahrenheit.
- Stir the cottage cheese with red pepper flakes, oregano, salt, garlic powder, pepper, and paprika.
- Include olives, tomatoes, spinach, and bell pepper.
- Whisk in 1/2 of the Parmesan and mozzarella.
- Distribute between 2 oven-safe bowls.
- Garnish the surface with leftover cheese and drizzle the olive oil.
- Bake till become golden and hot, for almost twenty-five minutes.
- Serve this pizza bowl hot with fresh basil.
TIPS:
- Avoid baking the pizza bowl too much to avoid the cottage cheese from getting dry.
- Strain out the additional liquid from the cottage cheese if required.
- We utilize fresh veggies for a perfect texture.
- Include the shrimp or grilled chicken for extra protein.
- Lastly, broil for almost two minutes to get a golden cheese topping.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS:
FRESH MEDITERRANEAN SIDES:
- Greek Salad
- Cucumber Tomato Salad
- Arugula Salad
- Tabbouleh
- Chickpea Salad
PROTEIN PAIRINGS:
- Grilled Chicken
- Lemon Herb Chicken
- Grilled Shrimp
- Roasted Turkey
- Baked Salmon
STORAGE INFORMATION:
FRIDGE:
- Put the leftover pizza bowl in a closed box and refrigerate it for nearly 3 days.
FREEZING:
- We do not suggest storing this pizza bowl, as the veggies and cottage cheese will alter the texture and get watery after defrosting.
FAQs:
Could we omit the Kalamata olives?
- Yes, you can skip the Kalamata olives and include additional bell pepper, mushrooms, or zucchini.
May we raise the protein content?
- Yes, you can include additional cottage cheese, grilled chicken, turkey, or shrimp.
Will we prepare this pizza bowl beforehand?
- Yes, you can assemble this pizza bowl earlier, chill it, and then bake it when ready.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:
Proteins: 31 g
Caloric Content: 390 kcal
Net carbs: 11 g
Sodium: 800 mg
Fiber: 3 g
Sugar: 6 g
Fats: 23 g
Portion Size: 1 bowl
Total carbs: 14 g