One of our worst menu plan wreckers is an unexpected schedule conflict. (Another is a mama who just doesn't feel like making the stir fry that's on the menu for the evening!) In anticipation of nights like these, I try to always keep on-hand the ingredients for our go-to meal.... homemade pizza. I've found three ways to make homemade pizza: fast, faster, and fastest. Below are my three variations. These have kept us from ordering pizza or hitting the drive-through many times!
Fast Pizza: Crust from Scratch
1 cup warm (not hot) water
1 T. bread machine yeast (It's cheaper than regular and works great!)
2-1/2 c. flour
2 T. canola oil
1 t. salt
1 t. sugar
Italian seasoning
Combine the warm water and yeast in a large bowl. Whisk until yeast is dissolved.
Add flour, oil, salt, and sugar. Mix well.
Set aside while you get pizza toppings ready.
Spray a pizza pan with olive oil cooking spray.
*Use a spatula to move dough to the center of your pan.
Spray hands with olive oil spray to keep dough from sticking.
Spread dough over pizza pan.
Add sauce (Dei Fratelli is our favorite!), cheese, and toppings.
Sprinkle with Italian seasoning (not too much!).
Place pepperoni on top of cheese and toppings. (We've been using Kroger's turkey pepperoni.)
Bake at 500 degrees for 9-11 minutes or until cheese is browned.
* Olive oil spray causes the dough to brown more than canola oil spray does.
I've been pre-baking our crust lately. I pop it in for 4-5 minutes while I finish chopping toppings. It seems to help the crust bake more evenly when I do this.
Faster Pizza: Pita Pizzas
Just use the pitas (uncut/unopened) as pizza shells, and add sauce and toppings.
Bake at 350 until cheese is melted and slightly browned.
You end up with personal pizzas that each family member can top as they like.
Bonus: Use whole wheat pitas for extra fiber.
Fastest Pizza: English Muffin Pizzas
Split the English Muffins, and add sauce and toppings.
Toast in a toaster oven until cheese is melted and slightly browned.
My family loves all three versions of our homemade pizza! I love them because I can choose whichever one fits our schedule (or my motivation level) on any given day.
For more great frugal ideas, head over to Frugal Friday sponsored by Life As Mom.
Fast Pizza: Crust from Scratch
1 cup warm (not hot) water
1 T. bread machine yeast (It's cheaper than regular and works great!)
2-1/2 c. flour
2 T. canola oil
1 t. salt
1 t. sugar
Italian seasoning
Combine the warm water and yeast in a large bowl. Whisk until yeast is dissolved.
Add flour, oil, salt, and sugar. Mix well.
Set aside while you get pizza toppings ready.
Spray a pizza pan with olive oil cooking spray.
*Use a spatula to move dough to the center of your pan.
Spray hands with olive oil spray to keep dough from sticking.
Spread dough over pizza pan.
Add sauce (Dei Fratelli is our favorite!), cheese, and toppings.
Sprinkle with Italian seasoning (not too much!).
Place pepperoni on top of cheese and toppings. (We've been using Kroger's turkey pepperoni.)
Bake at 500 degrees for 9-11 minutes or until cheese is browned.
* Olive oil spray causes the dough to brown more than canola oil spray does.
I've been pre-baking our crust lately. I pop it in for 4-5 minutes while I finish chopping toppings. It seems to help the crust bake more evenly when I do this.
Faster Pizza: Pita Pizzas
Just use the pitas (uncut/unopened) as pizza shells, and add sauce and toppings.
Bake at 350 until cheese is melted and slightly browned.
You end up with personal pizzas that each family member can top as they like.
Bonus: Use whole wheat pitas for extra fiber.
Fastest Pizza: English Muffin Pizzas
Split the English Muffins, and add sauce and toppings.
Toast in a toaster oven until cheese is melted and slightly browned.
My family loves all three versions of our homemade pizza! I love them because I can choose whichever one fits our schedule (or my motivation level) on any given day.
For more great frugal ideas, head over to Frugal Friday sponsored by Life As Mom.
3 comments:
I bought Arnold's Sandwhich Thins at Walmart last week, and made pizzas one night with them. They are also quick and easy, and taste delicious! It's kind of like a thin crust pizza.
I love pita pizzas and have also recently discovered using tortillas for crust. It's yummy if you like thin crust. I'll have to try your recipe for crust too!
I love your fast-faster-fastest options! Too fun! Always on the hunt for a good pizza dough. Thanks.
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