Crustless Pizza
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My crustless pizza is the ultimate low carb comfort that has all the best parts of a pizza, minus the crust! Cheesy, meaty, and easy to customize, I love that it needs just one skillet and takes just 15 minutes.
My family loves a simple keto dinner recipe, one that we can put together with minimal prep and that tastes delicious. When the comfort food cravings strike, nothing beats a low-carb pizza dupe, especially in the form of this crustless pizza.
As the name suggests, a crustless pizza is everything you love about a pizza, minus the crust. Essentially, it’s a base made of ground meat and cheese, topped with additional cheese, and baked until golden and slicable.
I took inspiration from my chicken crust pizza and Papa John’s new crustless pizza, but tweaked it to use ground turkey instead. It wasn’t an identical swap, though, so it took some testing to get it just right: I’m talking about a sliceable pizza that holds its shape and is mild-tasting, so you forget there’s meat there! My carb-loving partner can polish off half the pizza on his own!
Table of Contents
Why make my crustless pizza recipe
- Zero carbs. If you use certain vegetables or smoked meats, it can increase the carb count, but made as written, it’s virtually carb-free.
- Made in just one skillet. From cooking the ground meat to assembling the no-crust pizza, it’s all made in the same skillet. No washing up or multiple mixing bowls needed.
- Ready in 15 minutes. From prep to plate, this recipe takes less than 15 minutes.
- It’s SO satisfying. Like most people, I find the crust to be the most boring part of the pizza and it is really only there as a vehicle for all the toppings.
Key Ingredients
Here are some notes on the main ingredients, along with some tested substitutions. For the complete list and measurements, jump to the recipe card below.
- Ground turkey. I like to use lean ground turkey, as it cuts down on the overall fat content (to balance out all the cheese used!). I’ve had success when testing this with extra lean ground beef, ground pork, and even ground lamb.
- Garlic and Italian seasoning. Ground turkey on its own is a little bland, so I like to add some freshly minced cloves for flavor. Italian seasoning is my all-in-one secret weapon for anything remotely Italian!
- Cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese. The cheddar cheese is mixed into the ground turkey to give it a cheesier flavor, and the mozzarella cheese is sprinkled on top until it’s melty and golden.
- Pizza sauce. Skip the carbs and make your own keto pizza sauce.
- Pizza toppings. I enjoy using bell peppers, mushrooms, and pepperoni, but use whatever you prefer!
How to make a crustless pizza
Step 1- Prep the meat. Heat olive oil in a 12-inch skillet. Once hot, add the garlic and cook until fragrant. Add the ground turkey and use a spatula to break it apart. Cook the ground turkey for 5-6 minutes, until it is no longer pink.
Step 2- Mix. Stir through the cheddar cheese and mix until fully incorporated.
Step 3- Assemble. Form the base of the ‘pizza’ in the skillet. Add the pizza sauce, then the pizza toppings, and finally, add the mozzarella cheese on top.
Step 4- Bake the crustless pizza for 12-15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling on top. Remove the pizza from the oven before slicing and serving it.
Recipe tips and variations
- Don’t omit cheese in the crust. Adding cheese to the cooked ground meat enhances the cheesy flavor while keeping it moist. Skipping it risks drying it out once all the pizza toppings are added, and it is baked again.
- If you want to add a ‘crust’ to it, you can make my fathead crust. The carbs are virtually non-existent, and it gives you the much-desired crust.
- The toppings used in this recipe are just a personal preference. You can use any toppings you like, including the ground meat. Just a note, though: toppings like pineapple and sausage will change the carb count.
How to store leftovers
To store: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator, covered, for up to five days.
To freeze: Place the cooled pizza in an airtight container and store it in the freezer for up to 6 months. I like to keep them in individual containers for quick, single-serve meals.
Reheating: Either microwave for 30-40 seconds or warm up in a preheated oven. I prefer the oven for the crisp edges!
✅ Nutrition reviewed
Nutrition information has been reviewed by registered dietitian Felicia Newell, MScAHN, RD, CPT.
Crustless Pizza
Video
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound lean ground turkey ground beef works
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup cheddar cheese grated
- 1/2 cup keto pizza sauce
- 4 small mushrooms chopped
- 1/4 cup olives slices
- 8 slices pepperoni
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese grated
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200C/400F.
- Add the olive oil to a skillet and place it over medium heat. Once hot, add the garlic and cook for a minute. Add the ground turkey and break apart using a rubber spatula. Cook for 4-5 minutes, until no longer pink. Stir through the Italian seasonings.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir through the cheddar cheese. Spread the pizza sauce on top, followed by the mushrooms, olives, and pepperoni. Top with the mozzarella cheese.
- Place the skillet in the oven and bake the crustless pizza for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Remove the skillet from the oven and slice into four portions and serve immediately.
Notes
- Ground meat: You can also use lean ground beef, ground pork, or ground lamb.
- Leftovers: Keep in the fridge for up to 5 days or the freezer for up to 6 months.
Nutrition
More low carb pizza recipes
Originally published January 2022
I don’t eat Turkey so can I substitute ground pork, Canadian Bacon (Ham) or Spicy Sausage?
Of course! They sound like delicious alterations.
Great idea and because I just love Pizza I will try this using italian sausage or just ground pork that I add Italian seasonings to at home.
Yum!!! Yes, that is a great idea to season it yourself. Let me know how you go!
Great pizza without all the carbs.
Thanks for the feedback and review, Chris!
I’ve made this recipe three times in 2 weeks. My husband and I love it! Also, Big Mans World beef stew is another favorite. Thank you!
Three times in two weeks? Brenda, I’m jealous- I love this recipe but I haven’t had it in a while. Thanks for making this and my beef stew, too 🙂
This pizza is amazing. Packed with flavor. I did not chande a thing, nor will. Excellent!
I make a crustless pizza as well but I use mozzarella cheese for the crust. I cover the bottom of my cast iron pan with mozzarella oretty heavy. Then I bake at 400 just until the cheese starts to brown. Pull it out of the oven and let it cool at least 30 minutes. I have found that the cooling step is really helpful and keeps the cheese from over cooking. I usually do this ahead of time when I know I am making pizza. Then while I am making the sauce and getting the ingredients together it can be cooling.
Make the pizza the rest of the way as described and you will be so surprised. The cheese is a bit like a thin crust (cracker like) crust. IT AIN’T perfect, but I crave pizza and this is near enough for me!
Satisfied our pizza cravings and now I want it again.
Hi Donna- thank you so much for the lovely review and feedback!
Big thanks to you! 🙌
This was SO tasty and as someone who used to live at Papa John’s (I ordered it far too often), these turned out fantastic!!!!
Pizza without crust? Hm looks weird. But must be so different.
What is keto pizza sauce? Would that be natural mashed tomatoes or zero calorie ketchup?
Hi Mario- my recipe links to my keto pizza sauce. You can use crushed tinned tomatoes with some salt and pepper if you like.
Excellent! I think the mix of cheddar with the mozzarella really made a difference and I used ground chicken and turkey pepperoni.
What type of pan did you us, looks like it’s lined with parchment paper.
What pan did you use. I can’t put my skillet in oven it will melt
Hi Donna- I used my 12-inch lodge cast iron skillet 🙂 Any 12-inch skillet should work, or even a cake pan with parchment paper.
Love this recipe…I’ve made it a couple times now. Now you can get more of the cheesy tastiness without all the unnecessary bread aka added carbs
I’m sick of the garbage people and companies put up. I just want to see the recipe!
Hi Tracy- Sorry to hear this. There’s always a jump to recipe button at the top. Saying that, the information I include is for your benefit, and includes tips, storage, and personal testing notes on the ingredients 🙂
I am making this with modifications tonight, with a few modifications, to suit what we have on hand.. I have used several of your recipes, and I always have great results. It’s obvious that a lot of time and effort goes into everything that you do, so thank you so much! It’s really nice knowing that I can come to your website and find recipes I can trust. Best wishes always!
Thank you so much for your kind words and lovely review, Dee- I really appreciate it.
I was thinking that the photo looks like the guy that I follow on instagram, then I saw the website and it is you. I know that it’s delicious before I even try it.
Aw, Linda- you are such a gem!!! I’m so glad Instagram brought you here and you’ve made my recipes before. I appreciate it!
Love this! I am gluten free and try to do low carb, so this is the perfect go to when I want Pizza!
So glad you enjoyed this recipe Rebecca, thanks for sharing your feedback!
This is a great way to save carbs. I left out the turkey cause I didn’t have. I just added extra pepperoni and it was yummy. I can’t thank you enough for the low carb recipes.
Love the new house/studio and enjoy watching Kewpie and you. Can’t wait to see the video of the place as you get settled.
Best pizza recipe ever for diabetics. Yum. Thank you
I used my last name different it showed show is Ford and my first name is Dawn Ford and my email address is different.
Seriously, this was too delicious for words!
Taste is delicious – loved it 🙂 The pizza did not set up well in order to cut a ‘slice.’Any suggestions are appreciated!
Hi Kathy- glad to hear it tasted good! I’m wondering if you mixed the meat mixture properly? If the cheese isn’t properly mixed in, you risk the “base” falling apart.
One of my husband’s favorite meal. A hit every time!
absolutely 💯😁💯 so filling 🤤 we had to throw in some pineapple 🍍
Thank you for this 🥳
I made this . Its delicious!!!
I made this . Its very good.
Hungry Howie’s offers crustless pizza on their menu in Florida
Very good nice for low carb!!!!!!
Delicious & easy dinnrr
Marcos Pizza (a chain) has crustless “pizza bowls” which are keto friendly. The price is still reasonable, too!
Great flavor! I feel, however, pan (or skillet) size recommendations are in order. I used a medium/large size skillet and was way too big. I tried transferring it to a smaller pan but actually didn’t have one small enough. I made due with what I have but didn’t come out looking like the photo. Nevertheless, it had great flavor and was filling. But forks were necessary.
Nice
If doubling the recipe and not using a skillet, would I use a 7×11 baking dish or 9×13?
Just what I was looking for!
This was great!after loosing 50 lbs on low carb over 30 yrs ago I have kept it off by eating low carb 4 days a week and 3 days eat whatever I want. So im always wanting new low carb recipes .I’m so glad I found this one I made it to tonite had a salad with it and I was in Heaven. Thank you this one is a KEEPER ❣❣❣❣
Aw, thank you for your lovely comment and review, Melodye- I’m so glad you enjoyed my crustless pizza and congrats on such a tremendous weight loss!
This recipe is so delicious! I add green pepper and onion as well. My only complaint is that it’s rather tricky to remove from the pan while still maintaining a pizza structure. It turns more into a pizza casserole. Still super yummy though!
Hello from the future.
“My only complaint is that it’s rather tricky to remove from the pan while still maintaining a pizza structure.”
Transfer the ground meat mixture to a plate or casserole dish after it’s finished cooking and line the skillet with parchment paper.
Spray the parchment paper with some food release and then assemble and bake at 400 degrees oer the instructions.
Once finished, you can slice on your cutting board. The slices should peel right off of the parchment paper and retain their shape.
Fantastic. This one is a keeper. Thanks
Great recipe! Left out the olives and the mushrooms for my kid and this was a big hit
“ Remove the pizza from the oven before slicing and serving it.” Awwwww….come on! You mean I can’t slice and serve it while its IN the oven?????
Seriously, though, looks great.
This looks realy good I think that I will enjoy it!
I really liked your crust less pizza thank you again Gail
Mr Jim’s now has Pizza in a Pan crustless pizza.
Love that, Pam- Wish we had one near us!
Just and FYI – Lou Malnati’s has a crustless pizza. They use italian sausage as the crust.
What cheese can you substitute for the cheddar to mix with the ground meat?
Hi Andria- I recommend Colby Jack or Monterey, as these two have the same robust flavor that cheddar has. Otherwise Tasty or even Harvarti would be okay 🙂
Easy and healthy and low carb- I’m in heaven!
Thanks so much for the lovely feedback and review, Julie!
Marcos Pizza sells a pizza bowl which has no crust. It’s really good too.
Thanks for sharing, Linda- Wish there was a Marcos near me!
thank you, great idea and yes, none of the pizza chains do this, even the crustless ones, so much appreciated
If I double this recipe should I use a 9X13 baking dish?
Yes it might just be a little thicker but that’s okay!
Thank you
This is really good. If you’re able to get Marco’s Pizza, they have pizza bowls like this. Just get light/no sauce because it’s got some sugar.
Thanks for the feedback, GB- I’ve had a few readers tell me that and I’m so intrigued- Wish I had one closer to me!
Marco’s (chain pizza place) does pizza “bowls” basically a crustless pizza but my Dr. told me NO carb, so I’m glad I found your recipe. Making it tonight while my kids use left-over Naan for theirs. The cheese in the meat is a game changer & never knew there was SO much sugar in EVERYTHING!
Meant to say… ground Italian sausage 😊
Hi! In Chicago there is a huge and delicious crust-less pizza sold at Lou Malnatti’s. The “crust” is round Italian sausage.. it’s sooooo good!!
Oh yum!!!! 😀
This sounds really good! What size skillet works best? Also, on the recipe card, you show adding the mozzarella cheese twice, but not the cheddar. I notice in the full post you explain. Thanks for all of your recipes!
Hi Jeannette- Thanks so much for letting me know, it’s been fixed 🙂
What size skillet should you use for this recipe? I saw the question but it was not answered. Thank you.
Hello Dee- Sorry about that! I use a 12-inch Lodge cast iron skillet 🙂 Any skillet should work, or even a cake pan with parchment paper.