Crustless Pizza

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This crustless pizza is cheesy, meaty, and completely customizable. I know—crustless pizza sounds a little out there, but trust me, it’s worth the hype. This version uses the cheese as the base, giving you all the melty goodness, bold sauce, and favorite toppings you love without the hassle of making dough or waiting for anything to rise. It’s quick, cozy, and surprisingly satisfying—perfect for when a pizza craving hits, but you want something a little lighter (or just faster).

Close-up of a fully baked crustless pepperoni pizza in a cast iron skillet, topped with fresh basil leaves.

Easy Crustless Pizza Recipe

If I’m not in the mood to make gluten-free pizza dough but I still want all the cheesy goodness and that sweet, tangy sauce, I’ll whip up this crust-free pizza. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner—ready in about 15 minutes—and totally hits the spot. 

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Crustless Pizza

Servings: 4 servings
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Close-up of a fully baked crustless pepperoni pizza in a cast iron skillet, topped with fresh basil leaves.
This crustless pizza is cheesy, meaty, and totally customizable. I know—crustless pizza might sound a little out there, but trust me, it’s worth the hype. Using cheese as the base gives you all the melty goodness, bold sauce, and favorite toppings you love—without the hassle of making dough or waiting for anything to rise.

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet

Ingredients 

  • 1/2 tablespoon olive oil, for greasing
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 cup pizza sauce
  • 1/4 cup pepperoni or your favorite toppings*
  • Fresh basil for garnish, optional

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F and grease a 9-inch oven-safe skillet or baking dish with olive oil. Use a well-greased, oven-safe dish or line with parchment paper.
  • Spread mozzarella and Parmesan evenly in the dish.
  • Sprinkle with oregano and garlic powder.
  • Bake for 5–7 minutes until the cheese melts and starts to bubble.**
  • Remove from the oven and spread pizza sauce over the cheese base. Add extra cheese if desired and top with pepperoni. Return to the oven for another 8–12 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
  • Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.

Notes

*Stick to classics like pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, onions, and basil. Avoid overly watery veggies—they can make the base soggy.
**If you like a crisper base, bake at 375°F a bit longer for even cooking, or broil for the last 1–2 minutes for a golden top. A pizza stone can also help with crispiness.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 239kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 15gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 51mgSodium: 739mgPotassium: 173mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 529IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 333mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dinner, Snack
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @mamaknowsglutenfree or tag #mamaknowsglutenfree!

How to Make Crustless Pizza Step by Step

Crustless pizza ingredients

Gather the Ingredients: Gather all the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 400°F and grease a 9-inch oven-safe skillet or baking dish with olive oil. Use a well-greased, oven-safe dish or line with parchment paper.

Uncooked shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese spread in a greased cast iron skillet.

Make the Cheese Base: Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese evenly across the bottom of the dish.

Shredded cheese mixture topped with dried oregano and garlic powder before baking

Season the Cheese: Add flavor by sprinkling 1/2 tsp of dried oregano and 1/2 tsp of garlic powder over the cheese.

Melted cheese layer bubbling in the skillet after first bake, forming the base of the crustless pizza.

Bake the Cheese Layer: Bake for 5 to 7 minutes, just until the cheese has melted and starts to bubble.

Pizza sauce, pepperoni, and extra cheese layered on top of the melted cheese base

Add Sauce and Toppings: Carefully remove the dish from the oven and spread 1/2 cup of pizza sauce over the melted cheese. If you want it extra cheesy, feel free to add a little more mozzarella here. Then top with 1/4 cup of pepperoni or your favorite pizza toppings.

Crustless pepperoni pizza fully baked in the skillet, golden brown and bubbling.

Bake Until Bubbly: Return the dish to the oven and bake for another 8 to 12 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.

Finished crustless pepperoni pizza garnished with fresh basil in a cast iron skillet, ready to serve.

Garnish and Enjoy: Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh basil if you’d like a pop of color and freshness. Enjoy!

Close-up of sliced crustless pizza in a cast iron skillet, showing crispy edges and gooey cheese.

To Cook on the Stovetop

Cook on the stovetop instead of the oven. Cook the cheese in a non-stick skillet over medium heat until browned and crispy around the edges, then add sauce and toppings. Cover and cook until melted. 

Serving Suggestions

I top this with whatever I’m craving—pepperoni, sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or a handful of fresh basil. Sometimes, I even use it as a pizza dip of sorts with gluten-free flatbread or toasted pita chips on the side. It’s one of those low-effort, high-reward meals that never lets me down—perfect for solo dinners, lazy weekends, or even a fun appetizer for sharing.

Storage Instructions

If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to reheat, pop a slice in the oven at 375°F for 5–10 minutes, or warm it up in a skillet over medium heat to get that crispy edge back.

To freeze leftovers, wrap the slices well and freeze for up to 2–3 months. When the craving hits, reheat straight from frozen at 375°F for about 10–12 minutes, and you’re good to go!

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About Sabine Venier

Originally from Austria and currently residing in the UK, Sabine Venier infuses her passion for homemade gluten-free cooking into Mama Knows Gluten Free. As the former proprietor of a successful food blog, her culinary expertise spans a broad spectrum. Sabine’s culinary journey was rooted in the cherished family recipes taught by her mother, nurturing a profound appreciation for fresh, homemade ingredients. Sabine has gained recognition as a recipe developer and food photographer, with her work featured in various magazines and online platforms. Her innovative recipes have appeared in prestigious publications such as Forbes, Parade, and Rachael Ray Everyday. As a published cookbook author (The Chocolate Addict’s Baking Book), she is excited to share her practical and easy-to-follow recipes with the Mama Knows Gluten Free community.

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