Pizza in a mug is a delicious microwave meal for kids that’s made in 5 minutes and can be customized to your family’s liking. Pizza in a cup is an easy dinner idea for kids that’s fun to make!
Get ready for this mug pizza recipe! It is quick, easy & kid-friendly. I love microwave meals for kids because they can create their own dish with few ingredients in under 5 minutes.
Our microwave pizza in a mug combines cheese, crust, sauce & your favorite pizza toppings – what more could you ask for?! Personalize each pizza by setting a variety of toppings on the table and letting each person in your family create their own.
Lately, my family has been running in every direction. Between work, school, and activities, I need a quick and easy dinner recipe that will feed the entire family. This recipe has definitely made it to the top of my easy dinner ideas list.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- gluten-free pizza dough or gluten-free English muffins or bagels
- 3/4 cup shredded cheese blend
- 1/4 cup pizza sauce
- Toppings of choice
Gluten-Free Guide: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten.
How to make Pizza in a Mug
- Select a microwave-safe wide-bottomed coffee mug, ramekin, or small bowl and flip upside down on the corner of the pizza crust. Trace around the outside of the mug with a knife.
- Place the pizza crust into the bottom of the mug. Repeat tracing steps for the rest of the mugs. Roll pizza dough out if needed.
- Place pizza sauce on top of the dough or muffin. Sprinkle with cheese and toppings.
- Microwave for 1 minute if using dough, and 30- 40 seconds if using the other options.
I take advantage of any opportunity to get my kids in the kitchen to make their own meals. It is a great way to encourage them to try new ingredients and get creative!
Do your kids like to cook? Encourage them to pick a recipe and head to the kitchen! Here are a few of my kids’ favorites:
To start, cut the pizza dough into circles to fit in the bottom of your mug or dish. I typically roll out my pizza dough on a flat surface, place the dish at the corner of the dough and trace around the dish with a knife. Then, I set the circle piece of dough in the bottom of the dish.
I use White Ramekins for this recipe because they are the perfect shape and size. Actually, I use them all the time for other recipes since they can go in the oven or microwave.
Microwave for 1 minute or until the cheese is melted and serve.
PRO TIP: Taller mugs do not work well for this recipe. If you are not using a shallow bowl like these ramekins, use a wide mug.
Once you add the crust to the bottom of the bowl, layer with sauce, cheese, and toppings.
Topping Ideas
- Mini Pepperoni
- Sausage
- Bell peppers
- Tomatoes
- Spinach
- Onion
- Broccoli
Create a Homemade Pizza Seasoning to sprinkle on the top of your mug pizza recipe for a burst of flavor!
Tips and Tricks
- Prep and Organization:
- Ensure that the mug, ramekin, or bowl you’re using is indeed microwave-safe.
- Make sure your knife is sharp to get clean and precise cuts.
- Prepare all your ingredients and toppings before you start assembling the pizza to avoid rushing.
- Crust Preparation:
- If you’re using a store-bought pizza crust, you might want to lightly brush it with olive oil to enhance flavor and prevent it from getting soggy.
- Be careful while tracing around the outside of the mug with a knife. Use a gentle sawing motion to avoid tearing the crust.
- Pizza Assembly:
- Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the crust, leaving a small border around the edges for the crust to puff up and get crispy.
- When adding cheese, consider using a combination of different types for a richer flavor. Mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan work well together.
- Microwaving:
- Since microwave wattages vary, your cooking time might need a bit of adjustment. Start with the recommended 1 minute and increase by 15-20 second increments until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the crust is crispy.
- Experiment with Seasoning:
- Consider sprinkling some dried oregano, basil, or red pepper flakes on top of the pizza for added flavor.
- After microwaving, you can optionally transfer the pizza to a hot, dry pan for a minute to crisp up the bottom of the crust and enhance its texture.
- Personalization:
- Encourage your creativity! You can experiment with different sauces, cheeses, and toppings to create a variety of mini-pizzas.
- Serve and Enjoy:
- Be cautious when handling the hot mug right out of the microwave. Use oven mitts or a towel to prevent burns.
- Let the pizza sit for a minute or two before digging in. The cheese and sauce will be very hot.
Remember, microwave cooking is quick and convenient, but it might not achieve the exact same results as traditional oven baking. However, this method should still yield a tasty and satisfying pizza snack. Enjoy your microwave pizza-making adventure!
FAQ
Use a microwave-safe wide bottomed coffee mug, ramekin, or small bowl to create the pizza shape. Make sure it’s safe for use in the microwave.
Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce to prevent the crust from getting too moist. Avoid overloading with sauce or toppings that release excess moisture.
You can make multiple mini-pizzas if you have enough microwave-safe mugs or bowls and can arrange them comfortably in the microwave. You might need to adjust the cooking time.
KIDS COOKING Recipes
- Microwave Pizza
- Tuna Sushi Rolls
- Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs
- Chicken Tostada Recipe
- Easy Vanilla Mug Cake
CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.
The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.
Pizza in a Mug Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 package gluten-free pizza dough or gluten-free English muffins or bagels
- 3/4 cup shredded cheese blend ✅
- 1/4 cup pizza sauce ✅
- pepperoni, sausage, peppers, tomatoes, or toppings of choice ✅
Instructions
- Prep the crust. Flatten the pizza crust. Select a microwave safe wide bottomed coffee mug, ramekin, or small bowl and flip upside down on the corner of the pizza crust. Trace around the outside of the mug with a knife.
- Make the pizza. Place the pizza crust or English muffin into the bottom of the mug. Place pizza sauce on top of raw dough. Sprinkle with cheese and toppings.
- Cook. Microwave for 1 minute.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Kelly says
My kids love making this! It’s so easy and fun too.
Erika Phillips says
I am thinking about teaching a group of developmentally disabled adults how to make this recipe. I dont know that many of them have ramekins or shallow mugs at home. What other options could you use when teaching at a day program and then they could possibly use at home. Could you use a small cereal bowl?
Jodi Danen, RDN says
Hi Erika! This is a great recipe to use, it’s really good and is easy to make. What I found with this method that small and open works better than something like a coffee mug (which didn’t work well). I think small cereal bowls should work just fine. You might want to test one out prior to see if the cooking time needs to be adjusted at all, but I wouldn’t expect that to be an issue at all. Have fun and enjoy!
Sheila Wallace says
How does the crust get crispy and not be doughy?
Jodi Danen, RDN says
Hi Sheila! I wouldn’t say the crust gets crispy, but it is not doughy at all. I hope you enjoy!