If you’re craving the flavors of a classic pizza but want to skip the hassle of dough and extra carbs, this Crustless Pizza Bake Recipe is an absolute game-changer. Imagine all your favorite pizza toppings bubbling with melty mozzarella and rich marinara sauce, baked to golden perfection without a single crust in sight. It’s hearty, flavorful, and so easy to pull together, making it perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings when you want something familiar but a little different. Trust me, once you try this, it will quickly become one of your go-to comfort dishes!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe shines because of its simplicity and the quality of fresh, vibrant ingredients that come together to create a symphony of textures and tastes. Each component plays an essential role, balancing richness, tanginess, and heartiness with just the right color and bite.
- 1 jar RAO’s marinara: Choose a flavorful marinara sauce that brings fresh tomato goodness and a hint of herbs to the dish.
- 3 cups mozzarella cheese: Use good-quality mozzarella for that irresistible creaminess and oozy melt on top.
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage (or meat combo of choice): This adds savory depth and spice, but feel free to switch it up with chicken, turkey, or a veggie alternative.
- 1 green pepper, chopped: Fresh and crisp, it adds a sweet, slightly tangy crunch and beautiful color contrast.
- Mushrooms (to taste): Earthy mushrooms give a woodsy, umami boost that complements the meat and cheese perfectly.
- Onions (to taste): Sweet or sharp depending on your preference; they caramelize beautifully during baking.
- Additional pizza toppings of your choice: Whether olives, jalapeños, or fresh basil, this is where you can get creative and personalize your bake.
How to Make Crustless Pizza Bake Recipe
Step 1: Preparing the Base
Start by pouring 1/2 cup of your marinara sauce into the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish. This forms a flavorful, saucy foundation that prevents sticking and infuses each bite with classic tomato goodness.
Step 2: Mixing the Toppings
In a large bowl, combine the ground Italian sausage, chopped green pepper, mushrooms, onions, and any additional toppings you love. Then add 1 cup of mozzarella cheese along with 1 cup of marinara sauce. Mixing everything together ensures every forkful bursts with balanced flavor and melty cheese.
Step 3: Layering the Bake
Pour the luscious sausage and veggie mixture evenly over the marinara sauce in your baking dish. This step is where all those delicious flavors start to meld together ready for baking.
Step 4: Adding the Cheese Finish
Sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of mozzarella cheese generously over the top. This rich layer will melt and brown beautifully, giving you that perfect cheesy top that pizza lovers crave.
Step 5: Baking to Perfection
Place your baking dish in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) and bake for 20 minutes. This is when the sausage cooks through, the vegetables soften just right, and the cheese bubbles enticingly.
Step 6: Optional Broiling
If you want a golden, slightly crispy top, switch the oven to broil for an additional 3 to 5 minutes. Keep a close eye to avoid burning, but that little boost of high heat adds a lovely texture contrast.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy!
Once out of the oven, let it cool for a few minutes before scooping hearty portions onto plates. This is comfort food that feels indulgent but comes together in no time.
How to Serve Crustless Pizza Bake Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh basil or chopped parsley adds a vibrant, herbaceous note and freshens up every bite. For some extra zing, a light dusting of crushed red pepper flakes or a drizzle of garlic-infused olive oil works wonders too.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs beautifully with a simple green salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette to cut through the richness. Garlic bread or a crusty baguette are great if you want to soak up every saucy bit left on your plate.
Creative Ways to Present
For an inviting presentation at a dinner party, serve your crustless pizza bake in mini ramekins for individual portions. Alternatively, layer the bake inside hollowed-out bell peppers before baking for colorful, edible “bowls” that impress both visually and flavor-wise.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover crustless pizza bake keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually develop more overnight, making it just as tasty, if not better, the next day.
Freezing
This recipe freezes brilliantly. Portion it into freezer-safe containers or wrap tightly with foil and plastic wrap. You can keep it frozen for up to 2 months for a quick, comforting meal anytime you need a no-fuss dinner.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers covered in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through, about 15–20 minutes. You can also microwave individual portions for convenience, though the oven will help maintain that melty cheese texture and prevent sogginess.
FAQs
Can I use other meats besides Italian sausage?
Absolutely! While Italian sausage offers great flavor, feel free to swap in ground beef, chicken, turkey, or even a plant-based protein to suit your taste or dietary needs.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, the Crustless Pizza Bake Recipe is naturally gluten-free as it contains no dough or crust. Just be sure your marinara sauce and toppings don’t include hidden gluten ingredients.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Definitely. Simply omit the meat and add more veggies like zucchini, spinach, or artichoke hearts. You could also add plant-based sausage alternatives to keep that savory bite.
How spicy is the dish?
The spice level depends on the sausage and additional toppings you choose. Italian sausage typically has a mild to moderate spice, but you can always adjust with milder or spicier sausage and add chili flakes if desired.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time then bake later?
Yes! Assemble your crustless pizza bake in the dish, cover tightly with foil or plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to your bake time if starting chilled.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a fresh, fun take on pizza that’s quick to make and full of rich flavors, this Crustless Pizza Bake Recipe is a must-try. It’s the perfect mix of hearty and cozy without any fuss, and you have endless options to customize it exactly how you like. I can’t wait for you to make it your own and share this delicious comfort food with friends and family!
Print
Crustless Pizza Bake Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Carb
Description
A delicious and easy-to-make Crustless Pizza Bake that combines savory Italian sausage, fresh vegetables, marinara sauce, and gooey mozzarella cheese baked to perfection. Perfect for a low-carb pizza night without the crust, this dish is hearty, flavorful, and customizable with your favorite pizza toppings.
Ingredients
Base and Sauce
- 1 jar RAO’s marinara sauce (approx. 24 oz)
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce (for the baking dish)
Cheese
- 3 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage (or meat combo of your choice)
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- Mushrooms, to taste, sliced
- Onions, to taste, chopped
- Additional pizza toppings of your choice, chopped as needed
Instructions
- Prepare the baking dish: Pour 1/2 cup of marinara sauce into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly to create a flavorful base for the pizza bake.
- Mix the toppings: In a bowl, combine the ground Italian sausage, chopped green pepper, mushrooms, onions, and any additional pizza toppings with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and 1 cup of marinara sauce. Mix everything thoroughly until well combined.
- Fill the baking dish: Pour the mixed toppings evenly into the baking dish over the marinara base, spreading it out to fill the pan uniformly.
- Add the cheese topping: Sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the mixture in the baking dish to create a cheesy crustless layer.
- Bake the pizza: Place the baking dish in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) and bake for 20 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and the sausage to cook through.
- Broil for a golden finish: If desired, switch the oven setting to broil and broil the pizza bake for an additional 3 to 5 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Serve and enjoy: Remove the pizza bake from the oven, let it cool slightly, then slice and serve hot for a comforting crustless pizza experience.
Notes
- You can substitute Italian sausage with ground beef, turkey, or plant-based meat alternatives.
- Add your favorite pizza toppings like olives, spinach, jalapeños, or different cheeses to customize.
- Ensure the sausage is fully cooked before mixing with other ingredients if preferred, or cook it in the pan before mixing for a crispier texture.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best results.
- This recipe is naturally low carb due to the absence of pizza crust.
