Pizza Night

When money wasn't so tight pizza night was an every week ordeal that we all looked forward too. Me because it was simple, them because, well duh, it was pizza. With these menu ideas you can keep that pizza tradition but now it is more cost effective, still simple and much more fun. There is no better way to get your kids involved in the kitchen then having a pizza (or taco night) allowing them to top their own little pizzas and you pop them in the oven. They will gobble them up because 1. they helped and 2. well duh, it is pizza :)


Stromboli this will feed 2-3 adults or 2 adults and 2-3 toddlers

Refrigerated Pizza dough
Can of tomato sauce seasoned with basil and oregano (if using this add a tad of garlic salt to the sauce before using) or favorite marinara
Cheese (mozzarella)
and your favorite pizza toppings Pepperoni is the most popular here but I like mine with lots of veggies and sometimes bacon (cook and crumble the bacon first).

Roll your dough out and spread the marinara on the dough leaving one inch on each side spread your cheese and toppings on half the dough leaving one inch on the sides, fold the dough half with only marinara over the half with toppings pinch edges shut. Grease a cookie sheet and set Stromboli on the pan, prick holes in the top for steam to escape and bake on 350 for 15-25 minutes

Mini Pizza
One can of mini biscuits
Marinara sauce
Cheese (and any other toppings)

Flatten the biscuits with a rolling pin add marinara, cheese and toppings and cook according to can instructions, watch them closely because the time may be 2-3 minutes less than suggested.


Pizza bites
One can of crescent roll dough
Marinara sauce
cheese and any other toppings you like, I find that the diced pepperoni or ham work best in these

Before rolling your crescent rolls according to the package directions add your sauce, cheese and toppings to the widest end, roll, bake according to the package instructions

Calzone

1 loaf of frozen bread (double to feed 4-5 people, 1 loaf is enough for 2 adults and 2 (picky) toddlers)
1/2 lb of your favorite meats (deli meats such as ham, salami or pepperoni work best)
about a half a cup of marinara sauce
Shredded cheese

Roll loaf out until it is about 8" by 12"
Layer the meat down center (length wise 12" side)
Top with cheese
Fold in the two short sides about a half an inch
Roll (so that the roll is the size of you long side)
Bake, seam side down on a greased baking sheet @ 375° for 20 minutes or until browned
You should get 8 pieces per roll, serve with the warmed marinara sauce

*tip When adding these items to your menu you can purchase cheap spaghetti sauce for $1 or less (store brand) Freeze into 1/2 cup containers so that you don't waste it and it is always there for a quick meal.