Looking for a little family time? Try luring everyone in for an evening with a movie and make-your-own pizza night. All it takes is a quick stop at the store for a few pizza essentials and a great movie to have family night in the bag.
Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Movie Time!
Nowadays, I’m pretty connected so I turn to my Amazon Fire TV for the best deals on free faves and low-cost new releases — for both movies and television series. If you haven’t tried it yet, it’s definitely worth a look!
MYO Pizzas Start with Individual-sized Crusts
Ready-made mini pizza crusts are handy for MYO pizzas but they can be a little pricey. If you don’t want to spring for Boboli or similar packaged crusts, give Pillsbury’s refrigerated pizza crusts a try and just cut them to size. Or pick up a few french loaves in the bakery for french bread pizzas. And don’t forget the bread aisle — a full pita bread round makes a great individual thin crust pizza, plus it’s on the lighter side.
Top With the Usual Suspects
Set up a pizza bar with sauce, mozzarella cheese and a variety of toppings so everyone can build their personal favorite. Premade pizza or spaghetti sauces both work great, or make your own in just minutes.
MYO Pizza Sauce: Combine a can of tomato sauce, a teaspoon each of oregano, basil and olive oil, and a dash or two of garlic powder. For a thicker sauce, stir in a spoonful of tomato paste.
Make quick work of chopping vegetables — and entice the kids to pitch in —
Add a Twist with Alternative Toppers
Don’t be afraid to challenge tastebuds! Grab a jar of premade alfredo sauce (try Ragu’s lite version – yum!) and some precooked fajita chicken at the store, add some fresh spinach leaves, sliced mushrooms, and feta, mozzarella, or even monterey jack cheese for a gourmet pizza any restaurant would be proud to serve. And remember this chef’s tip for “white” pizzas – spread a light layer of olive oil over the crust before adding alfredo sauce to keep it from becoming gummy.
Pop the pizzas in the oven and the turn on the movie. By the time the previews end you’ll be enjoying a family night that begs an encore performance.