Pizza with Cottage Cheese Crust Recipe

Introduction

This pizza with cottage cheese crust offers a unique twist on a beloved classic. The crust is soft yet slightly crispy, made from simple ingredients, and topped with melted cheeses and savory marinara. It’s a delicious, homemade pizza that’s easy to prepare and sure to impress.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour, plus 2-3 tablespoons for dusting
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup pizza sauce (such as Rao’s marinara)
• 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 450°F and place a rack at the highest position, near the top.
2. Step 2: Blend the cottage cheese until smooth using a blender or food processor.
3. Step 3: In a bowl, combine the blended cottage cheese with flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix until a dough starts to form. Use your hands to bring it together into a cohesive ball, adding a bit of flour if needed to reduce stickiness.
4. Step 4: Place a sheet of parchment paper on a pizza pan or baking sheet. Dust the dough surface with flour and press it into a 12-inch circle. Press thinner for more crispy bites.
5. Step 5: Rub the top of the crust with olive oil evenly.
6. Step 6: Bake the crust alone on the top rack for 10 minutes until slightly puffed and lightly golden.
7. Step 7: Remove from the oven and spread the pizza sauce evenly over the crust. Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
8. Step 8: Return the pizza to the oven and bake on the top rack for another 5 minutes to melt the cheeses.
9. Step 9: Broil for 2-3 minutes until the cheese and crust edges turn deeply golden and crispy. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
10. Step 10: Slice and serve. Optional: sprinkle with red pepper flakes, drizzle olive oil or hot honey, and serve with extra sauce for dipping.

Tips & Variations

• Use a food processor to blend and mix the dough for quicker and easier preparation.
• Press the crust thinner for a crispier texture or leave it thicker for a chewier bite.
• Experiment with toppings like fresh basil, pepperoni, or sautéed vegetables for variety.
• If you prefer a gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that works well for baking.

Storage

Store leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat slices in a hot oven or toaster oven to restore crispiness. Avoid microwaving as it may make the crust soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use low-fat or non-fat cottage cheese for the crust?

Yes, you can use low-fat or non-fat cottage cheese, but the texture of the crust may be slightly less rich and tender compared to using full-fat cottage cheese.

Is it possible to prepare the dough in advance?

You can prepare the dough a few hours ahead and keep it covered in the refrigerator. Bring it to room temperature before shaping and baking for best results.

Pizza with Cottage Cheese Crust Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 170 reviews

This delightful pizza recipe features a unique cottage cheese crust that is both soft and crispy. The crust is made by blending cottage cheese with flour, baking powder, and salt, then baked and topped with classic pizza sauce and melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Perfect for a homemade pizza night with a slightly healthier twist on traditional dough.

• Author: Clara
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 1 12-inch pizza, serves 2-3 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

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Crust Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour + 2–3 tablespoons for dusting
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1–2 tablespoons olive oil

Toppings

• 1/2 to 3/4 cup pizza sauce (such as Rao’s marinara)
• 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and position a rack at the highest level, near the top of the oven.
2. Blend Cottage Cheese: Blend the cottage cheese in a food processor or blender until completely smooth to form the base for the crust.
3. Make Dough: In a bowl, combine the smooth cottage cheese with all purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix until the dough starts to come together. It will be shaggy and sticky at first; use your hands to knead and form it into a cohesive ball, dusting with extra flour as needed.
4. Form Crust: Place a sheet of parchment paper on a pizza pan or baking sheet. Place the dough in the center and dust the top with flour. Press it out with your hands to form a 12-inch diameter circle. Press it thin enough for a crispy bite but sturdy enough not to be too soft throughout.
5. Oil Crust Surface: Lightly rub olive oil over the surface of the formed dough to help it crisp up during baking.
6. Pre-Bake Crust: Bake the plain crust in the oven for 10 minutes. It should puff slightly and turn a light golden color.
7. Add Sauce and Cheese: Remove the crust from the oven and spread your chosen pizza sauce evenly over the surface. Top with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheeses.
8. Bake to Melt Cheese: Return the pizza to the top rack and bake for an additional 5 minutes until the cheeses are melted and bubbly.
9. Broil for Finish: Finally, switch the oven to broil and place the pizza under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes. Broil until the cheese and crust edges are deeply golden and some edges are crisped for extra texture.
10. Serve Optional: Sprinkle red pepper flakes, drizzle with olive oil or hot honey, and serve with extra sauce for dipping to enhance flavor. Enjoy your crispy, cheesy cottage cheese crust pizza!

Notes

• Blending the cottage cheese ensures a smooth crust texture without large curds.
• Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy removal after baking.
• Pressing the dough thinner will yield a crispier crust, but be careful not to make it too thin to avoid breaking.
• Pre-baking the crust ensures it doesn’t get soggy under the sauce and toppings.
• Broiling at the end adds beautiful golden color and crispy edges.
• Adjust baking times slightly based on your oven performance.
• Feel free to add your favorite pizza toppings after adding sauce and cheese before the final bake.

Keywords: cottage cheese crust pizza, homemade pizza, easy pizza recipe, vegetarian pizza, healthy pizza crust