Description
This delightful crustless pizza offers a warm dish, bubbling with melted cheese and vibrant Mediterranean flavors, perfect for a quick and hearty family dinner. It’s ready in under 30 minutes of active time and is ideal for health-conscious eaters or anyone seeking a satisfying meal without the fuss of dough.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 0.5 teaspoon sea salt, to taste
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper, to taste
- 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 large roasted red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 0.5 cup Kalamata olives, halved
- 0.5 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1 tablespoon za’atar seasoning
- Fresh mint or parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
- Pomegranate arils (for garnish, optional)
- Extra virgin olive oil (for drizzling, optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Dish: Preheat your oven to 400F (200C) and lightly grease a 9-inch (23 cm) oven-safe cast iron skillet or an 8×8 inch (20×20 cm) baking dish to ensure a beautifully golden edge.
- Craft the Tomato Sauce: Warm 2 tablespoons (30 mL) extra virgin olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to let it brown. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), sea salt, and black pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and deepen. If the sauce seems too thin, let it simmer for an extra 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Layer the First Half: Spread half of the rich tomato sauce evenly across the bottom of the prepared skillet or baking dish. Then, sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce, creating a foundational cheesy layer.
- Add Mediterranean Toppings: Evenly distribute the thinly sliced roasted red bell pepper, halved Kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese over the mozzarella layer.
- Finish Layering: Spoon the remaining tomato sauce over these toppings. Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese, ensuring good coverage. Finish by dusting the entire top surface with the distinctive za’atar seasoning, which will give a fragrant crust.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, beautifully bubbly, and the edges are lightly golden brown. If you crave extra browning and crispness, you can broil for the last 1-2 minutes, but watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove the skillet or dish from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. This helps the flavors settle and the cheese to firm slightly. Serve directly from the skillet, garnished generously with fresh chopped mint or parsley and ruby-red pomegranate arils for bursts of color and tartness. A delicate drizzle of extra virgin olive oil finishes it beautifully.
Notes
To make this crustless pizza keto or low-carb friendly, ensure your crushed tomatoes contain no added sugar. This recipe is naturally vegetarian; for more substance, add sautéed mushrooms or eggplant. To boost protein, add cooked lean ground chicken or turkey, or stir in 0.5 cup of full-fat cottage cheese beneath the tomato sauce layer. To prevent a watery pizza, ensure roasted red bell peppers are well-drained. If the pizza isn’t bubbly enough, increase oven temperature to 425F (220C) for the last 5 minutes, or broil for 1-2 minutes, watching closely.
- Prep Time: 12 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of pizza (approx. 200g)
- Calories: 400 calories
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: crustless pizza, Mediterranean, easy dinner, quick meal, vegetarian, low carb, family friendly, baking, cheesy, one pan