Budget-Friendly Pizza Recipes For Home Cooks

Homemade pizza can be surprisingly cheap — by skipping the takeout mindset, your wallet will thank you. Many believe only fancy toppings make good pizza, but the real secret lies in what’s already sitting in your cabinets.



Begin with the base. You don’t need to buy pre-made dough. A basic pizza dough only needs flour, water, yeast, salt, and a little olive oil. Mix them together, let the dough rise for an hour or two, and you’ve got a fresh base that costs less than a dollar per pizza. If you’re short on time, vegas108 link you can even use store-bought flatbread or tortillas as a quick crust alternative.



Ditch the canned sauces full of junk. Blend canned tomatoes with minced garlic, salt, oregano, and olive oil. Simmer it for 10 minutes and you’ve got a flavorful base that tastes better than anything in a can.



The classic cheese? Mozzarella — but use sparingly. You don’t need a lot. Buy a block and shred it — it’s far cheaper. Homemade shreds cost less and melt perfectly. A sprinkle of parmesan adds depth for next to nothing.



The best way to cut costs? Get creative with toppings. Use what’s leftover instead of buying new. Leftover bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, spinach, or even canned corn make excellent toppings. Protein from leftovers transforms pizza into dinner. A little sprinkle of chili flakes or dried herbs adds tons of flavor for next to nothing.



Bake on a rimmed tray or cast iron pan. Get your oven screaming hot, ideally 475–500°F. Bake until the edges are browned and the cheese is melting fast.



The real joy? Creating endless flavor combos. Make one with tomato sauce and cheese, another with pesto and spinach, and maybe a third with barbecue sauce and shredded chicken. You’ll save money and never get bored.



Dinner doesn’t need to cost a fortune. All you need is what’s lurking in your fridge and pantry. Enjoy upscale flavor at grocery-store prices. Plus, you’ll enjoy the satisfaction of making something delicious from scratch.