5 Tips for Saving Money on Pizza

When I first started to make homemade pizzas I didn't last long. I guess I had a skewed vision of what a homemade pizza really was. I think there is a difference between homemade and assemble at home. I declared the make ahead variety as expensive as ordering a pizza. Here was my logic...

1 Pre made Whole Wheat Crust: $4
1 Jar of Sauce: $2.00
1 Bag of Cheese: $2.50
1 Package of Pepperoni: $2.00

Total= $10.50...and that's not even for a specialty pizza

Tips for saving money on pizza

1. Make your own crust
-After I really began cooking most things from scratch I began to wonder if I could pull off homemade crust. It seemed kind of scary, but I soon discovered it couldn't be easier. Homemade crust doesn't have that cardboard flavor that the prepackaged ones often have and it will cost you just pennies to make.

2. Make your own sauce
-After successfully making the crust I ventured out and made my own sauce. It takes two cans, a few spices, and a quick whirl in the food processor. I would factor that with sales I can make it for $.75 and that is enough for 2 large pizza's.

3. Keep an eye out for cheese sales
-A few times a year grocery stores run great cheese deals. When coupled with a coupon you can score cheese from FREE to $1.00 a bag. When I spot these deals I always buy about 20 to stash in the freezer. They will keep a long time and all you have to do is pull on out and top the pizza.

-You can also check at your local dollar store. I know our Dollar Tree always has bags of cheese for $1.

-Blocks of cheese are also a great way to get cheese a little cheaper. There is a little work involved in shredding, but you can count it was your arm workout for the day :)

4. Re purpose leftovers as toppings
-Have a little extra green pepper left over? Don't throw it away...just put it in a freezer bag and save for pizza night.

-Have a chicken breast left over? Dice it up and save it for pizza night!

5. Make "Pizza Night" a weekly thing
-Your family will love you for this one. This is one of my biggest tips when it comes to menu planning and keeping the grocery budget down. Incorporate 1-2 meals each week that are easier on the wallet. You can make a pizza for about $4...add some salad and you have a frugal meal that nobody will complain about!

What are your tips for saving money on Pizza?

Barbecue Chicken Pizza and Family Night

I realized this week that Monday was “National Eat with Your Family Day”...hey, better late than never!

“Family Day-A day to Eat Dinner with You Children is a national movement to inform parents that the parental engagement fostered during frequent family dinners is an effective tool to help keep America’s kids substance free.” –Casa Family Day

I thought in honor of this day I would share with you a great “family night” recipe. I hope that you will find a night this weekend to get with your family. Get the kids in the kitchen to help you make some homemade pizza and then break out the board games!

I guarantee that both you and your kids will have a frugal fun time!

If you would rather make a traditional pizza you can use the crust recipe below and my pizza sauce recipe HERE.


Papaw's Pizza Crust

1 Tablespoon active dry yeast
1 cup of warm water
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
2 1/2 cups flour


Get out a large bowl. Pour in the yeast and water. Let the yeast dissolve into the water. Add in the rest of the ingredients.

Mix it all up. Put on a floured surface and knead until smooth (several minutes).

Roll out and press into a pizza pan. It is as easy as that!

Top with sauce, cheese, and toppings. Bake at 450 degrees for 12-15 minutes. (This varies based on ovens...bake until crust and cheese is slightly brown.)

Barbecue Chicken Pizza

Barbecue Sauce (I prefer Sweet Baby Ray's)

Red Onion

Chicken, diced

Bacon, diced

Cilatro (I didn't have any this time)

Toss the chicken in a little barbecue sauce (I find it doesn't get as dry this way). Put barbecue sauce on pizza crust (trust me, you don't need a ton). Top with cheese. Top with all of the toppings. Bake in an oven preheated to 450 degrees for 12-15minutes, until crust and cheese start to brown.

You can really use whatever toppings your family enjoys. I always use chicken and onion, but everything else is usually just what I have on hand. It turns out delicious every time!

This post is linked to:

Frugal Friday

Friday Favorites

Boost My Blog Friday

Friendly Friday Follow

Pizza Sauce

Do you make your own pizza sauce?

I never knew it was so easy to do. I found this great recipe about a year ago and it is just wonderful! I really have a thing for chunky pizza sauce so I loved that this recipe used diced tomatoes. It all goes in the blender, so the great part is...you can make it whatever consistency you like!

A great time saver is to make up several batches of this up at a time and freeze it. While you have the blender out...why not save yourself some time...and dirty dishes in the future!

1 (14.5oz). can diced tomatoes
1 small can tomato paste
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
pinch of crushed red pepper (optional)

Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender and blend until desired consistency. The spices can definitely be adjusted to your liking!

Makes enough for two pizzas



Recipe adapted from My Kitchen Cafe

Homemade Bagel Bites

A few months ago my friend, Tightwad Mom , posted this ingenious idea. I was sold. I went down to Sam's and loaded up on bagel thins. I had a mini freezer cooking day and whipped some up in no time. It seriously was so easy that your kids could make them up in ten minutes.

All you need is:
Bagel Thins
Pizza Sauce
Topping of choice (I used pepperoni)
Mozzarella Cheese

Just assemble your bagel pizza's on a cookie sheet. Place the whole cookie sheet in the freezer until bagel pizza's are frozen. Remove and place in a freezer bag and store in freezer.

To bake:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees
Place on cookie sheet
Bake until done (mine took about 12 minutes)

This post is linked to Frugal Friday at www.lifeasmom.com