Easy Pizza Bowls with Quinoa

Satisfy your next pizza craving with these easy and delicious Pizza Bowls with Quinoa! Ready in about 30 minutes, they are easier and more wholesome than regular pizza but have all of the flavours!

And the options are endless for customization! Whether you are craving BBQ chicken, Hawaiian, Beef and Onion or Vegetarian, these pizza bowls can accommodate.

They would also be fun for a "pizza" night with friends or family. Everyone could make theirs exactly how they want it!

And if you aren't a fan of quinoa, try these out using farro, barley, brown rice, cauliflower rice or omit the grains entirely. Or try making some Italian Sausage Pizza Quesadillas instead!

The Ingredients

• Quinoa- You can also use a different grain such as farro, barley or brown rice. You need 3 cups cooked which is about 1 cup uncooked.
• Pizza Sauce- I highly recommend whipping up a batch of this recipe but you can also use 1 cup of another favorite pizza sauce.
• Toppings! I used the following but feel free to use your favorite chopped pizza toppings in place of the ones that I have listed. You will need about 4 cups in total.
  • Spicy Italian Sausage- The meat needs to be fully cooked prior to using in this recipe.
  • Green Pepper
  • Red Onion
  • Cherry Tomatoes
• Mozzarella Cheese

The Method

1. Prepare Ingredients.

• Quinoa- Cook according to package directions and then mix with ¼ cup of pizza sauce.
• Cheese- Shred.
• Vegetables- Cut into small pieces.
• Meat- Cook completely and cut into bite sized pieces.

2. Assemble. In each of the four 12 oz ramekins (or similar oven safe dish), layer the following:

• 1 tablespoon pizza sauce
• ⅓ cup quinoa
• 1 tablespoon pizza sauce
• ½ cup of toppings
  • I did 1 tablespoon each of green peppers, onions and tomatoes and about ¼ cup of sausage
• ¼ cup shredded cheese
• ⅓ cup quinoa
• 1 tablespoon pizza sauce
• ½ cup toppings
• ¼ cheese

TIP: Be sure to press each layer in tightly before adding the next.

3. Bake. Place the ramekins on a large cookie sheet (to catch any cheese that might bubble over) and place in the oven. Bake at 425F for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

4. Enjoy! Be careful- the edges of the ramekin will be hot! Place the ramekins on a potholder and be sure not to touch the edges while eating.

Leftovers

Make Ahead: Assemble "pizzas" in ramekins, cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator if frozen and bake as per directions.

To Store: Cover and store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

To Reheat: To heat unbaked "pizzas", bake as per recipe directions. Previously baked bowls can be reheated in the microwave or in the oven at 350 for 15 minutes.

Make it Your Own

This recipe is totally customizable to suit whatever pizza flavour you'd like! Substitute the suggested toppings with 4 cups of your favourite toppings- just make sure that any meat you use is already cooked. Here are some ideas:

• Barbecue Chicken Quinoa Pizza Bowls- Use Barbecue Sauce in place of pizza sauce, and mix ¼ cup with 2 cups of shredded or diced chicken (about 2 chicken breasts). Use about ½ cup chopped red onion and ½ cup diced tomatoes. You could use mozzarella or try a sharp cheddar or gouda instead. Top with green onions.
• Hawaiian Pizza Quinoa Bowls- Use 2 cups of diced ham and 2 cups of diced pineapple. A bit of crispy bacon would also be a tasty add!
• Quinoa Veggie Pizza Bowls- Use 4 cups of your favourite vegetables on pizza. Mushrooms, onions, peppers, tomatoes, spinach, olives, artichokes and zucchini would all be delicious.

No individual ramekins?

You can assemble this as a quinoa pizza casserole instead! You will need to use a 1.5 to 2 quart size dish. Bake time will increase to about 20-30 minutes.

Serving Ideas

These Quinoa Pizza Bowls are a pretty filling meal all on their own! But if you would like to add some more vegetables alongside, this Mediterranean Salad would be a tasty option.

Dietary Notes

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If you have dietary restrictions, check the packaging of specific ingredients that you use to ensure they are compliant. This recipe is:

• Gluten Free
• Nut Free
• Vegetarian - If you omit the sausage.

And if you liked this recipe...

...you might also like:

• Italian Sausage Rice Skillet
• Bruschetta Chicken Sheet Pan
• Chimichurri Shrimp Bowls
• Ground Beef Tacos

More Tasty Dinners!