Vegan Crustless Pizza Bowl

A vegan crustless pizza bowl delivers all the flavors of pizza—savory tomato sauce, vegetables, herbs, and melted dairy-free cheese—without the crust. It’s a hearty, low-carb, gluten-free meal that’s easy to customize.

Servings

4 servings

Preparation Time

• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Cook time: 25–30 minutes
• Total time: 40–45 minutes

Ingredients

For the Pizza Base

• 2 medium zucchini, diced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
• 1 small red onion, diced
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

For the Pizza Sauce

• 1½ cups tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Toppings

• 1 cup vegan mozzarella-style cheese, shredded
• ½ cup black olives, sliced
• ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• ¼ cup vegan pepperoni slices (optional)
• 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil

Equipment

• Large skillet
• Mixing bowl
• 4 oven-safe ramekins or one medium baking dish
• Oven

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
2. Dice the zucchini, peppers, and onion into bite-sized pieces.
3. Slice the mushrooms.
4. Place all vegetables in a large bowl.
5. Add olive oil, salt, and pepper.
6. Toss until evenly coated.

Step 2: Cook the Vegetables

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add the seasoned vegetables.
3. Sauté for 6–8 minutes until slightly softened and excess moisture begins to evaporate.
4. Remove from heat.

Step 3: Make the Pizza Sauce

1. In a small bowl, combine:
   • Tomato sauce
   • Tomato paste
   • Garlic
   • Oregano
   • Basil
   • Thyme
   • Red pepper flakes
   • Salt
   • Black pepper
2. Stir thoroughly until smooth.

Step 4: Assemble the Pizza Bowls

1. Lightly grease the ramekins or baking dish.
2. Divide the cooked vegetables evenly among the bowls.
3. Spoon pizza sauce over each portion.
4. Sprinkle nutritional yeast over the sauce.
5. Add olives, cherry tomatoes, and vegan pepperoni if using.
6. Top generously with vegan cheese.

Step 5: Bake

1. Place bowls on a baking tray.
2. Bake for 15–20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
3. For a golden top, broil for 1–2 minutes at the end (watch carefully).

Step 6: Finish and Serve

1. Remove from the oven.
2. Let stand for 3–5 minutes.
3. Garnish with fresh basil.
4. Serve hot.

Optional Add-Ins

• Baby spinach
• Artichoke hearts
• Roasted garlic
• Jalapeños
• Vegan sausage crumbles
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Chickpeas
• White beans

Storage

• Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freeze for up to 2 months.
• Reheat in the oven at 180°C (350°F) for 10–15 minutes or microwave until hot.

Approximate Nutrition (Per Serving)

• Calories: 240–300
• Protein: 8–12 g
• Carbohydrates: 15–20 g
• Fat: 14–18 g
• Fiber: 5–7 g