Imagine coming home to a freezer stocked full of Homemade Frozen Pizzas, ready to pop straight into the oven. Cooked from frozen, I have a cheeky tip to make sure your pizzas come out fabulously crispy. The ultimate economical freezer meal – these cost $2 each!
These frozen pizzas are a freezer meal favourite along with Burritos, Cannelloni, Lasagna and hearty Beef Stew!
Homemade Frozen Pizzas
I always feel smug when I know I have a stash of really good freezer meals. My favourites are things like burritos, stews, soups, quesadillas, garlic bread (BEST standby ever!), lasagna and these homemade frozen pizzas.
I have grand plans to do an Ultimate Homemade Pizza Guide one of these days, complete with homemade pizza dough options and the RecipeTin Family pizza menu. Until such day arrives, you’ll need to make do with my quick ‘n easy pizza made with store bought flatbreads. 🙂
I like to make big batches and freeze them so I have a stash of homemade frozen pizzas ready to cook on command!
Flatbreads for pizza base
Throw-together pizzas are a staple quick meal for many households, I expect. Though I wonder – do most people use store bought pizza bases?
I can honestly put my hand on heart and say that I have never in my life used a store bought pizza base. That is – something sold labelled as a pizza base. Because I balk at the price of just ONE pizza base – usually around $3 each. And because I know that using Greek pita bread makes a terrific base for a thin and crispy pizza – for $0.40 each ($4 for a 10 pack).
Here’s the flatbread I use. It’s labelled as “Greek Pitta Bread” and it’s supposed to be used as a wrap for things like Greek Chicken Gyros. But it’s perfect for pizzas because they are thicker than tortillas / usual wraps (see comparison below to tortilla – it’s about twice as thick). I get mine from Harris Farms and I’ve seen them in other fruit & veg stores as well as Middle Eastern grocery stores.
Lebanese Bread is a great alternative which I use frequently too. I find that it’s a little drier used as a pizza base because they are like pockets so they’re comprised of two thin layers, whereas the Pitta Bread is more like a thick tortilla. However, they are still terrific used as a pizza base and they are crispier. These are sold in supermarkets in Australia (Woolies, Coles) but they are cheaper in Harris Farms and from Mediterranean / Middle Eastern stores!!
Homemade Pizza Sauce
You may find this ironic, but I use store bought pizza bases with homemade pizza sauce. I’m weird like that. I have this “line” when it comes to store bought things.
Bread is on the “buy” side.
Sauces are on the “make” side.
So I’ve made this recipe using a homemade pizza sauce. But actually, I think it might cost around the same or possibly a bit cheaper if you make 10 pizzas using a store bought pizza sauce!
Pizza Toppings
As for toppings, it always catches me by surprise how little is required to top a pizza. And also because you don’t want to overload the pizza because a) it compromises the crispy base b) the more you put on, the higher risk of it all sliding off when you take a bite (talking from first hand experience, hot melty cheese and toppings on chin = painful).
I actually measured the exact amount of toppings I used for each pizza. 25g / 3/4 oz salami. 10g / 0.33 oz olives, 1 1/2 mushrooms. 1/10th of a green capsicum and onion. 2.5 tablespoons of pizza sauce. And 75g / 2.5oz shredded cheese.
Just to be clear – that’s 10g / 0.33 oz olives. Not 8g. Just to be absolutely exact…. 😂
Set up an assembly line, and knock these out one by one. My recipe makes 10 pizzas because I like to use the entire packet of flatbread.
Best way to cook pizzas from frozen
As for how to cook these Homemade Frozen Pizzas, these are Thin and Crispy pizzas, and this is the best way I know how to make the crispiest pizzas in an everyday home oven – by cooking them directly on the rack. (Obviously make sure it is clean!)
Or, if you want to be more normal and/or have these pizza baking trays with holes in them, they will work just fine too. BUT not as crispy as baking them straight on the rack (plus you can fit 2 on each rack, if you have 2 racks that’s 4 pizzas in the oven in one go).
I called this recipe $2 Homemade Frozen Pizzas so I have a $20 budget to account for which I’ve broken down in the recipe below. I live in Sydney, Australia, which is a notoriously expensive city to live in, so especially those of you who live in the States will probably be able to make these even cheaper. 🙂 Plus, I used branded products for everything, rather than value brands.
So…. what do you think? Especially for those of you with busy schedules, I hope you find this useful!
Oh – and I know that this recipe is pretty Australia-specific in terms of the flatbread that I use. I would LOVE recommendations from readers in other countries for flatbreads that are ideal to use for pizza that I can then add into the recipe notes to help other people! – Nagi xx
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
$2 Homemade Frozen Pizzas recipe video!
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$2 Homemade Frozen Pizzas
Ingredients
- 10 Greek pita bread (thick round flatbreads, 25cm / 10" diameter) (Note 1)
- 250 g / 8 oz salami sliced , chopped
- 3/4 cup / 100 g sliced black olives , drained
- 1 large green capsicum / bell pepper , sliced
- 1 large red onion , chopped
- 15 medium mushrooms , sliced (~golf ball size)
- 400 g / 14 oz / 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 300 - 350 g / 10 - 12 oz / 3.5 cups shredded Monterey Jack , Tasty, Cheddar or other melting cheese of choice, or more mozzarella (Note 2)
Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce (Note 3):
- 1/4 cup / 65 ml extra virgin olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves , minced
- 800 g / 28 oz crushed canned tomato
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 cup / 125 ml water
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp red chilli flakes (adjust to taste)
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Sauce:
- Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add remaining ingredients, stir, and adjust heat so it is simmering gently (about medium heat). Cook down for 40 minutes, then puree with a stick (or cool a bit then transfer to blender).
- COOL before using (hot sauce = soggy base). (Note 4)
Pizzas:
- Top a flatbread with 2.5 tbsp of Sauce. Sprinkle a tiny amount of cheese over the base, avoiding the very edges (glue for toppings - see video).
- Sprinkle over onion, capsicum, salami, olives, mushrooms then cheese. Repeat with remaining flatbreads.
- Stack them using paper in between each pizza. Wrap in groups of 3 or so (whatever you are comfortable handling). Transfer to a large airtight container or ziplock bag and freeze.
- Baking:
- Remove oven shelf from oven and clean.
- Preheat oven to 240C/460F (standard) / 220C / 430F (fan/convection).
- Place frozen (or unfrozen freshly made) pizza directly on shelf. Bake for 10 minutes or until golden on the edges and the base is crispy.
- Cut and serve immediately!
Recipe Notes:
10 pack pita bread (Harris Farms) $4.00
1 capsicum $1.00
1 onion $0.50
Crushed tomato $2.87
Tomato Paste $0.50
Cheese (Costco) $4.50
Garlic, herbs, salt (free!)
Salami $4.00
Olive oil $2
Mushrooms $2.50
Olives $1.50
Total $23.37
Per Pizza $2.33, round DOWN to $2 ? Australia is a notoriously expensive country to live in so you may be able to do this even more cost efficiently than me! 6. Nutrition per pizza i.e. one whole pizza
Nutrition Information:
LIFE OF DOZER
Raw, cooked, frozen…..what does it matter?
RossC says
Love using Trader Joe’s naan and flatbread as pizza base…
You gave me another “well duh” moment… Make 10 and freeze them… Geeze… Why didn’t my peabrain think of that??
Nagi says
THANK YOU FOR THE TIP ROSS!!! Now I need to compile the list! N xx
Fran says
We use flatout and Wal mart has a Naan bread one we use then the other day we found a new one at wal-mart ……sam’s choice white greek style pita needless to say we have had pizza a few times the last few days…..lol
Nagi says
Thank you SO MUCH for the tips Fran!! N xx
amber says
hi Nagi – I called Costco Homebush and they said they’ve stopped stocking the Monterey Cheese?!*?!
Nagi says
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! 😩 I was only there 3 weeks ago and the fridge was piled high with giant blocks!!! I must go again soon and will let you know! N x
Tamarra says
This brand of pita breads is the best. I have made pizza with them in the past, but never thought of freezing them!!! You’re a genius 🙂 I love make-ahead dinners that can be made in bulk and frozen!
Nagi says
It works so well Tamarra!! Hope you try it! N x
Judy says
I showed my 13 yr old pizza connoisseur son this video and he closed his laptop and said- lets go to Trader Joe’s! We got the middle eastern flat bread as base, the marinara sauce, prosciutto, and moz. Voila! 6 frozen pizzas for after school snack. And a very pleased pre- teen. Thanks, Nagi!!!!
Bet @ Bet On Dinner says
We like the whole wheat (or regular) pita bread from TJ’s for pizzas, too! I’ll have to try the TJ’s flatbread. Their naan makes a good quick thicker crust pizza (it seems sooo much more decadent for some reason so those are for “special occasion quick and easy pizzas, lol). We make pita pizzas for lunch all the time, I’m totally going to try freezing them so I don’t have to get out all the ingredients every time! Love.
Nagi says
Thanks so much for sharing that info! I’m going to compile a list to summarise all these amazing useful tips 🙂 N xx
Nagi says
HIGH FIVE Judy!!! N x ❤️
SandyToes says
I tried naan and also Stonefire brand flatbread (recommended by some pals at Chowhound) and found both were a bit thicker than we like. So went back to Flatout Pizza crust. They’re like the regular Flatout flatbreads, but thinner. They’re sold in long rectangles, though, about 4″x12″, so for freezing I think I’d want to cut them in half. Sounds like an excellent thing to have on hand for pizza emergencies.
We make all kinds of pizzas with them. Family favorites are BBQ chicken, and jalapeño popper (garlic cream sauce, cheese, diced fresh jalapeños, crispy bacon pieces).
Nagi says
Ohhh that’s such a great tip Sandy! Thank you!! My friend Kevin from Kevin is Cooking also recommends Flat-out! N x
Colette says
Dear Nagi
… first of all, THANK YOU so much for your totally amazing recipes (which I often share with my family and my friends …. they now love you too :)). You always bring a smile to my face!!
I live in a little town on Lake Ontario (Southern Ontario), Canada (originally from Liverpool, England), and I find that Indian Naan Bread is absolutely great as a base for your fabulous pizza!
Your joy of life and food, and inspiring recipes are a delight!! I am making these pizzas for my husband and me tonight!! I know we’ll be thrilled!!
Nagi says
Hi Colette, thanks so much for your lovely message! I’m so pleased you’re enjoying my recipes 🙂 And thank you for the tip on naan, it sounds like I’m missing out because others have said the same and I’ve never tried it!! N xx
Georgina Shiakalli Adams says
Hi Nagi! I am actually in Cyprus, and have never seen such gorgeous pitta bread! I use Lebanese pitta for pizza bases, and I LOVE yours!! Have tried sooo many of your recipes, and love each and every one! Off to try this one too 🙂
Georgina (notrabbitfood.com)
Nagi says
Aww thank you Georgina! It makes me so happy to hear when people try and enjoy my recipes! N xx
Beth says
Hi Nagi! I’m in U.S. and I love the Flatout Bread products. They are intended for low carb sandwich or wrap options, but are perfect for pizzas. They come in many varieties also (flax, wheat, Italian herb, etc). Sold in most grocers here but usually by the deli and not in bread section.
Nagi says
That’s a terrific tip Beth, thank you so much for sharing that! I have heard that flat-out Bread is great for pizzas! N xx
Alice says
I have always used Lebanese bread for my homemade pizzas, but a number of the Coles in our part of Sydney stopped stocking them a couple of months ago (something about the contract ending with the supplier). C’mon Coles! I have found them in Aldi and the Coles in Surry Hills, but might have to source Greek pitta bread next time instead!
Nagi says
WHAT??? That’s ridiculous! Leb bread is the BEST, I get leb bread more frequently than normal bread!!
Rita says
Hi Nagi,
i also live in sydney & things have gotten a little bit more expensive but i buy lebanese bread in aldi they also have pizza bases which are quite reasonable & even though i make my own sauce for pasta, i buy jars of classic sauce from also from aldi to use on the pizzas. i use 2 tablespoons per pizza & freeze the rest.
i must admiti it never crossed my mind to freeze them, but i will from now on, especially as i work late & sometimes just want something simple & easy for dinner.
Thank you Nagi for your wonderful blog.
Nagi says
Hi Rita! If you can get to a Harris Farms, definitely try the Greek Pita Bread it is PERFECT for a pizza base and only 40c each!! N xx
Dee says
Hi Nagi,
Thanks so much for a cheaper / health-ier version of take away!
I usually put a tin of sardines on my home made pizza, instead of salami, to get my weekly hit of fish as the health experts recommend. Even fools my family, they don’t even notice!!
Would love to see a recipe for home made pizza bases! So I can use whole meal flour as well as lower the sodium / saturated fat content.
Many thanks for sharing your recipes / ideas.
Nagi says
Oh wow! I have never tried sardines on pizza! I must admit I am partial to anchovies, I love love LOVE them! N xx
Jennifer says
Naan. Indian flatbread. I think it is a bit more moist than the other options. It is more expensive though, in my neck of the woods. I live and die by what’s on sale. Last week naan was 1/2 price; This week fresh pizza dough balls are a buck a piece.
Nagi says
I keep hearing naan as a pizza base option! I must try it! N xx
Eha says
Looking at your heading I nearly clicked ‘off’! OMG, I can’t tell the gal I use flatbread bases for pizza! Ha! Ha! You had the laugh on me!! Now I work from home, am forever about an hour ‘behind’ and silly-billy me has not made them in lots to sensibly freeze! Well, thank you, Nagi, guess what is on the ‘to do’ list for tomorrow morning! . . . Besides you have put in enough healthy, tasty vegetables for me not to start quoting that ‘h’ word 🙂 !
Nagi says
Oh PHEW! I thought I was about to get in trouble!!! 😂
Jess says
Hey Nagi,
If I made extra pizza sauce – could it be stored somehow?
So excited to try this recipe!
Nagi says
Freeze it! 🙂 Forgot to put that tip in, I put it in the notes. I use a ziplock bag, flat, and snap bits off as required! N x
Autumn says
I store leftover pizza sauce by freezing it in ice cube trays and then keeping the cubes in a ziploc in the freezer. (I do the same for tomato paste, which always yields leftovers!)
Nagi says
Ohhhh I LOVE THAT! For tomato paste, a little tip: dollop it on cling wrap, then roughy roll it up in a sausage, then twist the ends and spin the sausage around and around, it will tighten into a neat sausage. Freeze it then you will be able to chop the tomato paste from frozen as required. 🙂 N x
Dan says
Freeze it! I make up a can of tomato sauce into pizza sauce, but my pizza recipe only calls for and needs 1/2 a can. I freeze the rest until next pizza night. Hope this helps.
Nagi says
N x ❤️
Vera G says
I’ve been doing this for ever, but wouldn’t have it maybe every second month. Dozer is Happy! Have good w/end!
Nagi says
I LOVE HEARING THAT!!!! PS Dozer says WOOF! N x
Nanette says
Genius!!! That’s all I can say.
Nagi says
Aww, thanks Nanette! N xx
SMT says
Nagi
I am also in Sydney and we love those Greek pitta breads too! I buy it from the fruit and veg shop. Never thought of using them as a pizza base though (usually they don’t last long enough for me to get around to making pizza…they make fantastic “chips” cut into wedges and roasted in a hot oven with a spray of oil and a sprinkle of seasoning…)
Nagi says
My whole family agrees that they are the BEST for pizza bases! Well, for thin ‘n crispy pizza 🙂 And so much cheaper than buying pizza bases. Love making chips with these too!! That’s exactly what I do, cutting them into wedges! N x
Marcia says
Stonefire flatbread is easily found in any grocery store here (San Diego area) and comes in single serving size as well as larger sizes. Don’t know if you have it available in other states/countries, but it sure works well as a pizza base. Second favorite is pita bread (we spell it with one T here), which is also easily found in groceries. I really don’t have a favorite brand, but Trader Joe’s has a good one. Watching your video, however, I notice that yours seem to be larger than what we have available– ours are maybe 6″ diameter and basically single serve size. Am I seeing that right?
I was also thinking that it would be easy to make and freeze just the sauce if freezer space is at a premium (and seems like mine always is!). Thanks for the recipe and the inspiration, Nagi. As always, love seeing Dozer!
Nagi says
Thank you for the suggestions Marcia! I am going to compile a list and add it into the post 🙂 YES to freezing the sauce, I will add that note to the recipe! N xx
Gwen says
Nagi! Girl, you never cease to amaze me! I cannot wait to try these. My husband will not eat greens or veggies so this is perfect. I can fill his up with meats and put the green peppers on mine! Now I’m off in search of flatbread.
Nagi says
Thanks Gwen! I’m so pleased you like the look of these 🙂 Love that you get the greens and hubby gets the meat! 😂