This Tomato Basil Margherita Pizza on Cottage Cheese Crust is fresh, light, and packed with protein. The creamy cottage cheese base makes a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional pizza dough, while the toppings bring in that classic Margherita flavor with a nutritious twist.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love how this pizza gives me all the flavors of a traditional Margherita without the heaviness of regular crust. The cottage cheese adds extra protein, making it a more balanced and filling meal. It’s quick to put together, light yet satisfying, and perfect when I’m craving pizza but want to keep it wholesome.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the crust:
1 cup cottage cheese
2 eggs
1 cup almond flour (or oat flour)
½ tsp baking powder
Pinch of salt
For the topping:
½ cup pizza sauce or marinara
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Fresh tomato slices
Fresh basil leaves
Drizzle of olive oil
Pinch of salt & pepper
Directions
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I preheat my oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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I blend cottage cheese, eggs, almond flour, baking powder, and salt until smooth.
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I spread the batter onto the baking sheet, shaping it into a thin, round crust.
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I bake it for about 20–25 minutes, or until golden and firm.
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Once the crust is ready, I spread pizza sauce evenly on top.
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I sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese, then add fresh tomato slices.
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I bake again for about 10 minutes, until the cheese melts and bubbles.
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I finish with fresh basil leaves, a drizzle of olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper before slicing and serving.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 2 servings. The prep time is around 10 minutes, and the total cook time is about 35 minutes, making it ready in 45 minutes.
Variations
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I sometimes use oat flour instead of almond flour for a nut-free option.
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For extra flavor, I add a sprinkle of Italian seasoning or garlic powder to the crust mixture.
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I switch up the toppings with roasted veggies, grilled chicken, or even a sprinkle of parmesan for variety.
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If I want it spicier, I add a few chili flakes before serving.
storage/reheating
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, I warm the pizza in a skillet or oven at 350°F until the crust crisps back up. I avoid microwaving as it can make the crust soft.
FAQs
Can I make the crust ahead of time?
Yes, I can bake the crust in advance, let it cool, and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days before topping and baking again.
Can I freeze the crust?
I can freeze the baked crust (without toppings) for up to 2 months. I just thaw it and add toppings before baking.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes, I can use dairy-free cottage cheese and cheese alternatives to make it dairy-free.
Can I use store-bought pizza sauce?
Absolutely, I often use my favorite store-bought marinara or pizza sauce to save time.
Can I make mini pizzas with this recipe?
Yes, I can spread the crust mixture into smaller rounds and bake them individually for personal-sized pizzas.
Conclusion
This Tomato Basil Margherita Pizza on Cottage Cheese Crust is my go-to when I want something fresh, satisfying, and full of flavor without being heavy. The protein-rich crust makes it more nourishing, and the classic Margherita toppings keep it simple yet delicious. It’s a recipe I come back to often when I want pizza that feels both indulgent and healthy.
Tomato Basil Margherita Pizza on Cottage Cheese Crust
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This Tomato Basil Margherita Pizza on Cottage Cheese Crust is a light, protein-packed twist on classic pizza. A creamy cottage cheese–based crust supports fresh tomato, mozzarella, and basil—perfect for a wholesome, satisfying meal.
- Author: Sophia
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- For the crust:
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup almond flour (or oat flour)
- ½ tsp baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- For the topping:
- ½ cup pizza sauce or marinara
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh tomato slices
- Fresh basil leaves
- Drizzle of olive oil
- Pinch of salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 °F (190 °C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Blend cottage cheese, eggs, almond flour, baking powder, and salt until smooth. Spread into a thin, round crust shape on the baking sheet.
- Bake crust for 20–25 minutes, until golden and firm.
- Remove from oven and spread tomato sauce evenly over crust. Top with mozzarella and tomato slices.
- Bake for another 10 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Finish with fresh basil, a drizzle of olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Slice and serve.
Notes
- Use oat flour for a nut-free crust.
- Add Italian seasoning or garlic powder to the crust for more flavor.
- Top with roasted veggies, grilled chicken, or chili flakes for variation.
- Reheat in a skillet or oven (350 °F) to maintain crispness; avoid microwaving.
- Par-bake crust ahead or freeze crusts (without toppings) for easy future meals.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: undefined
- Calories: approx. 220 kcal per crust
- Sugar: undefined
- Sodium: undefined
- Fat: 13 g per crust
- Saturated Fat: undefined
- Unsaturated Fat: undefined
- Trans Fat: undefined
- Carbohydrates: undefined
- Fiber: undefined
- Protein: 20 g per crust
- Cholesterol: undefined