By skipping the heavy, doughy crust, you turn pizza into a protein-first, low-carb dream. This Bariatric-Friendly Pizza in a Jar is perfect for meal prep—layering the ingredients prevents it from getting soggy, and it’s easily reheated in individual portions.
Here is the exact recipe to recreate the beautiful layers shown in the image.
🍕 Layered "Pizza in a Jar" (Crustless Pizza Bowl)
This recipe balances rich pizza flavors with a high-protein, low-carb macro profile that is gentle on the stomach.
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Prep time: 15 minutes
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Cook time: 15 minutes
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Yield: 4 individual pint-sized jars (16 oz each)
Ingredients
The Meat & Base:
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Ground Meat: 1 lb lean ground beef, ground turkey, or Italian sausage
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Seasoning: 1 tbsp Italian seasoning, $\frac{1}{2}$ tsp garlic powder, salt, and pepper
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Pizza Sauce: 1 cup low-sugar or zero-sugar marinara sauce (such as Rao's)
The Creamy Ricotta Layer:
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Ricotta: 1 cup whole-milk or part-skim ricotta cheese
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Egg: 1 large egg (helps the ricotta set when heated)
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Parmesan: $\frac{1}{4}$ cup grated parmesan cheese
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Herbs: 1 tsp dried parsley or Italian seasoning, plus a pinch of salt
The Toppings:
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Shredded Cheese: 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
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Pepperoni: $\frac{1}{2}$ cup uncured pepperoni slices (or turkey pepperoni for a leaner option)
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Veggies: $\frac{1}{2}$ cup diced green bell peppers and $\frac{1}{2}$ cup diced red bell peppers
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Cook the Protein
Place your ground meat in a skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook until entirely browned and crumbled (about 8–10 minutes). Drain any excess grease and let it cool slightly.
2. Whip the Ricotta
In a medium bowl, vigorously mix together the ricotta cheese, egg, grated parmesan, dried parsley, and a pinch of salt until smooth and creamy.
3. Layer the Jars (Bottom to Top)
Line up 4 clean, wide-mouth pint jars. Layer the ingredients evenly into each jar in the following order to match the picture:
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Layer 1 (Bottom): $\frac{1}{4}$ cup of low-sugar pizza sauce.
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Layer 2: A generous spoonful of the seasoned cooked ground meat.
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Layer 3: A thick layer of the creamy ricotta mixture.
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Layer 4: A handful of shredded mozzarella cheese.
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Layer 5: A flat layer of pepperoni slices.
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Layer 6 (Top): A vibrant mix of diced red and green bell peppers.
4. Storage & Heating
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To Store: Twist the lids onto the jars and store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
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To Serve (Microwave Method): Remove the metal lid. Microwave the jar on high for 1 to 2 minutes until the ricotta is hot throughout and the mozzarella on top is completely melted and stringy. Let it sit for a minute to cool before eating.
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To Serve (Oven Method): If your glass jars are oven-safe (like Mason jars), place them without lids on a baking sheet in a preheated oven at $370^\circ\text{F}$ ($188^\circ\text{C}$) for 12–15 minutes until bubbly.
💡 Bariatric & Low-Carb Customizations
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The Cottage Cheese Swap: If you prefer a lighter, even higher-protein middle layer, you can blend 1 cup of low-fat cottage cheese until smooth and use it instead of the ricotta and egg mixture.
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Watch the Veggie Sizing: Keep the peppers diced very small so they soften perfectly in the microwave or oven alongside the melting cheese.