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?

Wonderful Wheat Pizza Dough

I have two awesome pizza dough recipes. When I say awesome, I mean they give the pizza shops a run for their money. Except for an occasional LaRosa's (a Cincy fave) we never order out pizza. It just isn't worth it when we can make something better at home.

Homemade pizza not only tastes great, but can be made for about $4 or less...so it is a frugal dinner.

The first recipe I learned to make is from my Papaw and the other I just discovered this past year. Papaw's is a basic pizza crust that is quick, easy, and tasty. It is perfect for those nights you forgot to plan for dinner. You will have your crust done in 15 minutes flat.

Then there is this recipe. It isn't hard or too time consuming, but it takes a little bit of thinking ahead. I assure you it is well worth the time. It is chewy and has an unbeatable flavor. The honey and whole wheat flour go so magnificently together. There is so much depth to the flavor.

Whichever crust you try, I promise you can't go wrong!!

*Makes 2 12-inch pizzas or 1 large 16 to 18-inch pizza

1 1/4 cups warm water
2 teaspoons instant yeast
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour


Make the dough the night before or early the morning on the day you want to make the pizza. In a large mixing bowl (or in the bowl of a stand mixer), mix the water, yeast, sugar, honey and oil. (If using active dry yeast, increase the amount of yeast to 2 3/4 teaspoons and proof the yeast in the water until foamy before mixing in the sugar, honey and oil.) Then mix in 1 cup flour and the salt. Continue mixing in all the remaining flour until you get a nice, soft dough. Knead until dough is soft and smooth, about 10 minutes by hand or 5 minutes with a stand mixer.

Shape the dough into a ball and place in a lightly greased bowl and cover tightly (with a lid or plastic wrap). Place the dough in the refrigerator to slowly rise until three hours before baking. Three hours before baking, remove the dough from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature, keeping it lightly covered.

Preheat the oven to 500 degrees. If your oven is a little sketch, preheat it to 450. Roll out your crust and place on pizza stone or baking sheet. Top with toppings and bake for about 8-10 minutes until crust and cheese start to brown.

Recipe Credit: Mel's Kitchen Cafe

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!

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