Make Your Own Pizza

This is a very frugal and fun meal. I have never calculated the cost of this fun lunch, but I imagine it can't be more than a couple of bucks, and it feeds my 6 children , ages 1 - 12, and me. Everyone loves it, too, because they get to make it themselves.

First, I make the pizza dough.

1/2 C warm water

1 Tbsp. yeast

1 tsp. sugar

2 C flour (I use 1 C whole wheat and 1 C white.)

1 Tbsp. veg. oil

1/2 tsp. salt

Combine 1/4 C water with yeast and sugar. Stir to dissolve and let stand until bubbly (about 5 min.) Put flour, oil, and salt into food processor and process 5 seconds with steel blade. Add yeast mixture and process about 10 seconds or until blended. Turn on processor and drizzle just enough of remaining water through feed tube so dough forms a ball. Process so ball turns around about 25 times. Put ball on greased pan and cover with a bowl. Let stand 10 minutes.

Here's the fun part! I pinch off a hunk for each child and they pat it out on trays. I set out *marinara sauce, (You can use a can of spaghetti sauce.) cheese sauce, shredded cheddar, shredded mozzarella, pepperoni, pineapple chunks, and whatever else I have that looks interesting.

Each child tops their own pizza. They have fun making smiley faces or flowers with the toppings. Some even do a stuffed crust.

Bake at 425 for 15 - 20 minutes until golden and bubbly.

*5 Minute Marinara Sauce

2 Tbsp. olive oil

4 cloves garlic, crushed and chopped

1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

2 Tbsp. parsley

1/2 tsp. oregano

1 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes

1 8 oz. can tomato sauce

salt and pepper

Heat oil and garlic. When garlic starts to sizzle, add herbs and crushed pepper. Stir in rest of ingredients. Bring to a bubble, reduce heat, and simmer.

*My kids think this is too spicy, which is why I like it.

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