by Sheila Rae Watson

Created on: August 27, 2008   Last Updated: November 10, 2011

Are you tired of paying for expensive delivered pizzas, plus a tip? In this sagging U.S. economy where every dime counts, why spend your hard earned cash on those top-dollar, sometimes poor value, pizzas? Make delicious pizza at home!

Pizza is a fast food, but it need not be costly and unhealthy for your family. It all depends on the choices you make for crust, sauce and toppings. Fresh foods are always better for you than packaged, boxed foods. Cooking at home provides optimum health benefits as well as better taste; costing about half the price of take-out or delivery pizza!

When you go grocery shopping, do a bit of pizza related buying. Keeping these items stocked in your pantry, refrigerator and freezer will make pizza prep quick and easy.

What you will need to have on-hand:

*Refrigerated pizza crust dough or dry pizza crust mix

*Prepared meats; bacon, sausage, pepperoni, Canadian bacon, ham etc.

*Precut veggies stored in zip-lock bags; diced onion, green peppers, tomatoes, fresh mushrooms

*Canned pineapple, mushrooms, olives

*Shredded cheeses such as mozzarella, parmesan and cheddar

*Pizza sauces or Marinara sauces

Try these pizza ideas for family pleasing meals!

~Why eat pizza just for supper? Here's a low fat breakfast pizza that goes together quickly for a great start to any busy day!

-Quick and Easy Breakfast Pizza

1-13.8 oz. can refrigerated pizza dough

6 eggs scrambled, soft (these will cook completely during baking)

1-8 oz. container of low-fat or onion, chive or vegetable flavored cream cheese

4 slices precooked turkey bacon, coarsely chopped

1/4 cup low-fat or regular shredded cheddar cheese

Heat oven to 425oF. Spray a 12 inch pizza pan with cooking spray.

Spread the pizza dough on pan, spreading it out with your hands, to fit the pan.

Cook the eggs to a soft scramble, not dry. Spoon the scrambled eggs over the pizza dough.

Drop cream cheese by teaspoonfuls over the pizza. Arrange precooked bacon over the eggs and cheese. Top with shredded cheddar cheese.

Bake 12-15 minutes or until crust is browned, toppings are heated through and cheese is melted.

Let this pizza sit for 5 minutes before slicing.

Variation:

*Use crumbled, precooked sausage or ham, in place of bacon

*Try making a more vegetable centered breakfast pizza,topping eggs with diced tomatoes and green peppers

*Omit meats, top scrambled eggs with cheeses and bake

~Here's another quick idea!

-FAST 15 Minute, 3 Topping Pizza

Heat oven to 425oF.

Crust: Using a pizza crust mix that comes in a canister, stir together the measured dry mix and hot water. Roll or press the dough into a pizza pan.

Now let the crust sit in a warm spot for 5 minutes while you gather the toppings.

Toppings: Pick any three

*Precut vegetables, such as diced green peppers, diced tomatoes, frozen chopped onions

*Ready-made pizza sauce

*Pre-shredded cheeses

*Pre-cooked pizza meats such as, pepperoni, bacon, ham and sausage

From your pantry, refrigerator and freezer grab any 3 toppings for your super fast, 15 minute (to prepare) pizza.

Retrieve the pizza crust that was raising for 5 minutes.

Pour 1 cup of marinara sauce over the crust, spread 1-8 oz. pkg. shredded cheese over sauce, add vegetables, then meat, sprinkle with cheese.

Place into hot oven and bake 12-15 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and crust is browned.

That's it, quick and oh so easy!

~Anything you make in your own kitchen is more healthful than what you buy and bring home, simply because it is made fresh and with love.

You can do it!

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