Introduction

Remember those Friday nights, the smell of pizza filling the air, and the pure joy of a cheesy slice? Well, what if I told you you could capture that same deliciousness, that same comforting feeling, without all the fuss of making dough? Yep, I’m talking about a pizza bowl, and trust me, this recipe is a total game-changer. It’s so simple, so satisfying, and honestly, it might just become your new go-to weeknight dinner or even a fun, casual get-together star. Get ready to fall in love!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Super Fast: We’re talking dinner on the table in about 30 minutes!
Incredibly Easy: Minimal chopping, one-skillet wonder. Anyone can make this!
Perfect for Gifting (or Sharing!): Make a big batch and portion it into individual containers for easy, thoughtful meals for friends or family.
Guaranteed Crowd-Pleaser: Who doesn’t love pizza flavors? This dish has all the comforting tastes everyone adores.

Ingredients

Gather ’round, let’s see what we need for this magical pizza bowl:

1 pound turkey sausage links, casings removed (I like to use hot for a little kick, but sweet is wonderful too!)
1/2 onion, diced (Adds a lovely depth of flavor and sweetness)
1 green bell pepper, diced (For that classic pizza veggie crunch and color!)
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano (The heart of Italian flavor!)
Pinch of garlic powder (Because everything is better with a little garlic!)
Pinch of crushed red pepper (Optional, but it adds a little whisper of heat that’s just delightful)
2 cups shredded cheese, preferably Italian or Pizza blend (Mozzarella, provolone, and a hint of parmesan make a dream team!)
2 cups marinara sauce (Use your favorite jarred sauce for ultimate ease, or homemade if you’re feeling fancy!)
12 slices turkey pepperoni or regular pepperoni (The quintessential pizza topping!)

How to Make It

Alright, apron on, let’s get cooking! This is going to be so much fun.

First things first, let’s get that sausage ready. Pop those turkey sausage links out of their casings. You can do this by slicing down the side and peeling them off. Then, crumble the sausage into a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook it up, stirring occasionally, until it’s all browned and delicious. Once it’s cooked, drain off any excess grease. We want flavor, not greasiness!
Now, toss in your diced onion and green bell pepper right into the skillet with the browned sausage. Give it a good stir and let it cook for about 5 minutes, or until those veggies are nice and softened. They’ll start to release their sweet aromas!
Time for some magic! Stir in the dried oregano, garlic powder, and that little pinch of crushed red pepper if you’re using it. Let this all cook together for just about 1 minute more. You’ll smell the fragrance bloom – it’s a good sign!
Next, pour in your marinara sauce. Stir it all together, making sure everything gets coated in that lovely tomato goodness. Bring the whole mixture to a gentle simmer.
Now for the grand finale of deliciousness! Reduce the heat to low. Sprinkle all that beautiful shredded cheese evenly over the top of the sausage and veggie mixture. Then, arrange your pepperoni slices right on top of the cheese. Get creative with your placement – make it look pretty!
Finally, cover your skillet. Let it all cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until that cheese is perfectly melted and wonderfully bubbly. Peek in – it’s like a little cheesy volcano ready to erupt with flavor!

Substitutions & Additions

This recipe is so forgiving, you can really make it your own! Here are some ideas:

Protein Power: If turkey sausage isn’t your jam, feel free to use ground beef, chicken sausage, or even Italian-style plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian option.
Veggie Variety: Mushrooms, black olives, or even a handful of spinach would be delightful additions when you add the onions and peppers.
Spice It Up: Want more heat? Add more crushed red pepper, or even a dash of your favorite hot sauce.
Cheesy Choices: While a pizza blend is fantastic, feel free to mix and match your favorite melting cheeses like mozzarella, provolone, cheddar, or Monterey Jack.
Sauce Swaps: If you’re not a marinara fan, a creamy alfredo sauce could make for a rich and decadent pizza bowl experience!

Tips for Success

A few little secrets to ensure your pizza bowl is always a hit:

Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Make sure your skillet is large enough to hold everything comfortably. This allows the ingredients to cook evenly.
Drain That Grease: Seriously, draining the excess grease from the sausage makes a world of difference in the final texture and flavor.
Low and Slow for Cheese: Once you add the cheese, keep the heat on low. This ensures it melts beautifully without scorching.
Prep Ahead! You can dice your onions and peppers the day before and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. This will make weeknight cooking even faster.

How to Store It

Leftovers? Lucky you! This pizza bowl stores beautifully.

Let the pizza bowl cool completely in the skillet. Once cooled, you can portion it into airtight containers. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can pop a portion in the microwave until heated through, or for an even crispier top, reheat it in a small oven-safe dish in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly again.

FAQs

Is this recipe good for meal prep?

Absolutely! This pizza bowl is fantastic for meal prep. You can make a big batch, divide it into individual containers, and have delicious lunches or dinners ready to go for the week.

Can I make this without meat?

Yes! You can easily make this a vegetarian pizza bowl by omitting the sausage and adding extra vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or eggplant. You could also use plant-based sausage crumbles.

What size skillet should I use?

A 10-inch or 12-inch oven-safe skillet is ideal for this recipe. This size allows you to comfortably cook all the ingredients and melt the cheese evenly.

Easy Pizza Bowl

A delicious and easy pizza bowl recipe with no crust needed. This one-skillet wonder is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a casual get-together, capturing all the flavors of pizza in a comforting bowl.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Servings 4

Equipment

Large skillet 10-inch or 12-inch oven-safe skillet recommended
Airtight containers For storing leftovers

Ingredients

Main ingredients

1 pound turkey sausage links casings removed
0.5 onion diced
1 green bell pepper diced
0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
1 pinch garlic powder
1 pinch crushed red pepper optional
2 cups shredded cheese preferably Italian or Pizza blend
2 cups marinara sauce use favorite jarred sauce or homemade
12 slices turkey pepperoni or regular pepperoni

Instructions

Remove casings from turkey sausage links. Crumble sausage into a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook until browned. Drain excess grease.
Add diced onion and green bell pepper to the skillet with the sausage. Cook for about 5 minutes until softened.
Stir in dried oregano, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper (if using). Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in marinara sauce and stir to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer.
Reduce heat to low. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the mixture. Arrange pepperoni slices on top of the cheese.
Cover the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Notes

This recipe is very adaptable. Feel free to substitute proteins, add more vegetables like mushrooms or olives, adjust spice levels, or use different cheeses. For a vegetarian option, omit the sausage and add extra vegetables or plant-based crumbles. Can be stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and reheated in the microwave or oven.