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This Cottage Cheese Pizza is the perfect healthy comfort food for your diet. Packed with protein, low in carbs and low in calories, this healthy yeast-free pizza comes together in under 20 minutes!
Recently, cottage cheese has been gaining more popularity. It all started on social media with the cottage cheese ice cream and went on with cottage cheese cookie dough and lasagne. Being a heavy consumer of this food, it made me so happy seeing cottage cheese finally enjoying the popularity it deserves. But for me is not a trend, it’s something that I’ve always eaten, both in sweet and savory dishes. I like having it over toasted bread with tomatoes and olive oil during summer or in pancakes as a cozy breakfast. Today I am sharing one of my favorite recipes ever: Cottage Cheese Pizza. Aka, the easiest and most delicious protein pizza in human history!
Recipe highlights
- High in protein. One of the standout features of this recipe is the higher protein content. Cottage cheese, a key ingredient, will give you an incredible taste experience while boosting the nutritional profile of your pizza.
- Diet-friendly. Have a bite and you’ll never guess this dish is perfect for your diet. As it is made with Greek yogurt and uses cottage cheese instead of fatty mozzarella, this recipe will give you a low-calorie pizza that you can enjoy without guilt. As a weekend treat or for a comfort dinner on weekdays.
- Quick and simple. Made without yeast, this healthy pizza comes together in under 20 minutes, baking time included. No need for complex preparations or long rising times.
- Versatile and customizable. The beauty of protein cottage cheese pizza lies in its versatility. While simplicity is always an option, the recipe invites you to explore a world of toppings. From pepperoni to chicken and grilled vegetables, the possibilities are endless. Customize this low calorie pizza to match your likings!
Ingredients and substitutes
A couple of simple, wholesome ingredients is all you need to whip up your own protein pizza with cottage cheese. There is no yeast in this recipe, because the dough is prepared with whole grain flour and yogurt. Make sure you keep on reading for all details, replacement options and much much more.
To make the protein crust you will need the following ingredients.
- Whole grain flour: For more nutrients I recommend whole grain options such as wholewheat flour or spelt flour (the one I used). Feel free to substitute with all purpose flour, if preferred. As a low carb alternative you may want to prepare the dough with almond flour. It works as well, but you may require a larger amount.
- Greek yogurt: This recipe requires thick Greek yogurt, either nonfat or full-fat. In general, full-fat options have more calories but also more taste than nonfat products.
- Olive oil: Adding some good olive oil will make the cottage cheese pizza softer and more flavorful. Avocado oil, seed oil or common vegetable oil can also be used, but the result won’t be the same. If you’re looking for the very best pizza, extra virgin olive oil is the way to go.
- Baking powder: This ingredient will help the crust rise and get fluffy without using yeast.
- Salt: Together with olive oil, a pinch of salt will level up the taste profile of your cottage cheese pizza dish.
As you may already imagine, the topping is made with cottage cheese. This is going to make our pizza higher in protein, lower in fats and diet-friendly. In terms of cottage cheese, you can choose between regular full fat products or low fat alternatives. I personally prefer the first option. It comes with just about 30 calories per 100 g more but gets you a more delicious meal. Besides the cheese we shall not forget the famous drizzle of olive oil. Definitely a must!
Dairy-free protein pizza
For a dairy-free pizza, substitute Greek yogurt with plant-based alternatives such as soy Skyr or soy Greek yogurt. The key is opting for a thick-textured yogurt. Besides this, be sure to swap out cottage cheese for plant based alternatives. Up until now I’ve only tried the one made from Tofu, but I know for sure that there are also other options that have almonds or cashews.
How to make pizza with cottage cheese
Start by preheating the oven to 200°C, or 400°F if you are in the United States. As an alternative you can also cook your pizza in the air fryer: preheat the air fryer to 190ºC (390ºF). Once the oven is heating, we will make the dough.
- Prepare the protein pizza dough. First, in a large bowl combine flour with Greek yogurt, olive oil, baking powder and a pinch of sea salt. Quickly stir the ingredients until they come to form a dough. Depending on the type of Greek yogurt used, you may need adjust the mixture with more flour if it is sticky or with more yogurt if it is too dry.
- Make the crust. Transfer the dough over a clean floured surface and knead to form a soft ball. With the aid of a rolling pin and your hands, shape into a round of about 15 cm (6 inches), with the edges thicker than the center. May it gets sticky, sprinkle with more flour.
- Add the toppings. Top with as much cottage cheese as you feel necessary, a drizzle of olive oil, salt and pepper to taste. If desired, you can add other toppings such as grilled vegetables, chicken breast, pepperoni or tuna.
- Bake and enjoy. Bake in hot oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the pizza crust is golden brown. Serve warm and Buon Appetito!
Storage information
- In the fridge: After baking, let cool completely and store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. For the best storage, wrap well or place in an airtight food container. Once you are ready to serve, warm it up in hot oven or air fry for a couple of minutes.
- In the freezer: As it has cooled, slice and transfer to a food container or to zigzag bags. Freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven before serving as you would do for any other frozen pizza.
The best protein pizza toppings
Are you looking for something more exciting? Consider loading up your cottage cheese pizza with extra toppings such as pepperoni, grilled chicken, salmon, or grilled vegetables – whatever suits your cravings. And if you’re stuck with no idea, here are a handful of chef recommendations for you.
- Vegetables: Boost taste and nutrition by adding a selection of vegetables on top. Great ideas are bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, sliced onions, grilled zucchini and grilled eggplant.
- Grilled chicken and avocado: For more protein and taste, enjoy your pizza with slices of grilled chicken breast and avocado on top.
- Pesto: Before adding cottage cheese, spread the crust with plenty of pesto. Top with the cheese and any other extra you like, such as chicken of tofu.
- Smoked salmon and arugula: After baking, top your protein pizza with smoked salmon and a handful of fresh arugula.
- Tex-mex: Top with grilled chicken or lean ground turkey, diced tomatoes, black beans, corn, and a sprinkle of cheddar cheese. You may also consider using extra barbecue sauce!
- Tofu: If you follow a plant based diet, substitute cottage cheese with plant based alternatives and top with tofu. I like – and recommend – smoked tofu, it gives all another flavor!
FAQ – Frequently asked questions
You can prepare this recipe with either full-fat or low fat cottage cheese for a low calorie pizza. Any fat percentage is okay, but I personally prefer the regular. Full fat cottage cheese will give your dish much more taste for just about 30 calories more. It is definitely worth it!
To make pizza high protein, this recipes prepares the dough with a mix of flour and Greek yogurt. But if you don’t like or don’t have it, the Greek yogurt can be replaced with similar products such as Skyr, quark or plant based options. What you should do however is to make sure that your choice has a thick texture similar to Greek yogurt.
This depends on personal preferences. As the cottage cheese is already salty by itself, I don’t feel the need for extra seasonings. But at the end you – and your tastebuds – should be the one deciding.
Yes, cottage cheese pizza can also be cooked in hot air fryer at 190ºC (390ºF) for about 10 minutes. Make sure you keep an eye on the cooking time, as air fryers cook faster than the oven.
More healthy comfort foods
- Chicken nuggets
- Easy protein pizza
- Low calorie fries
- Air fryer zucchini fries
- Zucchini pizza crust
- Low calorie chicken fingers
- Simple zucchini fritters
- Greek yogurt buffalo dip
Cottage Cheese Pizza
Ingredients
- 120 grams (1 cup) whole-wheat flour, or all purpose flour
- 120 grams (⅓ cup 1 tbsp) Greek yogurt, firm
- 1 ½ tsp olive oil
- ½ tsp baking powder
- pinch sea salt
Cottage Cheese Topping
- 80 to 100 grams (⅓ to ½ cup) cottage cheese, as necessary
- olive oil
- salt and pepper, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).
- In a large bowl combine flour, Greek Yogurt, olive oil, baking powder and a pinch of sea salt. Quickly stir until it comes to form a dough: adjust with more flour if it is sticky or more Greek yogurt if it is too dry.
- Transfer the protein pizza dough over a clean floured surface and knead to form a soft dough ball.
- With the aid of a rolling pin and your hands, shape into a round of about 15 cm (6-inch), with the edges thicker than the center, sprinkling more flour if it gets sticky.
- Top with as much cottage cheese as you feel necessary, a drizzle of olive oil, salt and pepper to taste. If desired, you can add additional toppings such as grilled vegetables, chicken breast, pepperoni or tuna.
- Bake in hot oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the pizza crust is golden brown.
I haven’t even tried this yet and I think I’m going to LOVE IT!
Hear me out: dried peaches w/honey drizzle ?
Thanks for the recipe. Keep cooking ??
Hey dear Wilda!
Thank you so so much for your kind comment. It was so lovely from you, you made my day 😉
Regarding your serving ideas, wow! I have to try it as well with peaches and honey or maple syrup. It must be SO GOOD!!!
I wish you a fantastic day and a great month of July,
Matteo