Ingredients
For the Crust
- 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 (for rubbing the crust)
For the 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
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and position a rack near the top to allow for optimal browning of the crust and cheese.
- Blend Cottage Cheese: Place the cottage cheese in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth to ensure a creamy, uniform crust texture.
- Make Dough for Crust: Transfer the blended cottage cheese to a bowl and mix it with all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. The mixture will initially look shaggy, crumbly, and sticky. Use your hands to bring it together, dusting with extra flour as needed, and knead briefly on a floured surface to form a cohesive dough ball.
- Form the Crust: Place a sheet of parchment paper on a pizza pan or baking sheet. Place the dough on the parchment and lightly dust the top with flour to prevent sticking. Press the dough evenly into a circle about 12 inches in diameter. Press it thinner for a crispier crust with more crisp bites.
- Prep the Crust: Rub the top surface of the formed crust with 1 to 2 tablespoons of olive oil. This helps create a golden, crisp surface during baking.
- Pre-Bake the Crust: Bake the plain crust on the top rack of the oven for 10 minutes until it slightly puffs and turns light golden brown. This pre-baking step firms up the crust, preventing sogginess after adding toppings.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Remove the crust from the oven and spread pizza sauce evenly on top. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheeses to cover the surface.
- Bake the Topped Pizza: Return the pizza to the oven on the top rack and bake for another 5 minutes until the cheeses are melted and bubbly.
- Broil and Finish: Switch the oven to broil and broil the pizza for 2-3 minutes until the cheese bubbles develop deep golden spots and the crust edges become crisp and brown. Watch carefully to avoid burning. Once done, you can sprinkle red pepper flakes, drizzle with olive oil or hot honey, and serve with extra sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Blending the cottage cheese smooth is essential for an even, tender crust texture.
- Dusting the dough with flour helps manage stickiness during shaping.
- Press the crust thinner to get crispier edges and more crunch.
- Pre-baking the crust prevents soggy bottoms after adding toppings.
- Broiling at the end creates flavorful browned cheese and crispy crust edges.
- Customize toppings to your preference, but mozzarella and Parmesan create an ideal cheesy blend.
- Use parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Low Fat
