Pizza might just be the ultimate comfort food: cheesy, customizable, and universally loved. But if you’re not careful, those weekly pizza nights can eat away at your budget faster than you can say “extra cheese.” Whether you’re whipping it up at home, grabbing a frozen pie, or ordering from your favorite restaurant, there are ways to make every slice more affordable.
Contents
Make It at Home: The Cheapest Way to Pizza
Homemade pizza gives you total control over your ingredients and your spending.
Money-saving tips for homemade pizza:
-
Use store-brand ingredients. Store-brand cheese, sauce, and flour taste just as good at a fraction of the price.
-
Make your own dough. A basic pizza dough recipe needs only flour, yeast, water, salt, and oil — pennies per serving. You can even make a big batch and freeze extra dough balls.
-
DIY sauce. Skip the pricey jarred pizza sauce. Mix tomato paste, water, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning for a fast and flavorful alternative.
-
Stretch ingredients. Add veggies or cheaper toppings (like onions, mushrooms, or peppers) to cut down on the amount of cheese or meat you need.
-
Bake multiple pizzas at once. If your oven can handle it, double your batch and freeze the leftovers for easy, homemade “frozen” pizza nights.
Cost breakdown: You can make a large, homemade pizza for around $3–$5 — compared to $10–$20 from a restaurant.
Store-Bought Frozen Pizza: Convenient and Cheap(er)
If you’re short on time, frozen pizza can be a great middle ground. You’ll still save compared to delivery, especially when you shop smart.
Tips to save on frozen pizza:
-
Watch for sales. Grocery stores regularly mark down frozen pizzas, especially during football season or holidays.
-
Use coupons and cashback apps. Apps like Ibotta, Rakuten, and Fetch often have rebates for brands like DiGiorno, Red Baron, and Totino’s.
-
Buy in bulk. Warehouse clubs like Sam’s Club or Costco often sell multi-packs for less per pizza.
-
Upgrade it yourself. Add fresh toppings like extra cheese, peppers, or leftover chicken to make a cheap pizza taste gourmet.
Cost breakdown: Frozen pizzas typically cost $3–$8 each, depending on brand and size, which is still much cheaper than ordering in.
Restaurant Pizza: Save Big on Carryout and Specials
Sometimes, nothing beats the real deal: fresh, restaurant pizza. But you can still enjoy it without paying full price.
Ways to save when ordering from a restaurant:
-
Pick up instead of delivery. Delivery fees, service charges, and tips can easily add $6–$10 per order. Carryout gives you the same pizza for less.
-
Sign up for loyalty programs. Many pizza chains (like Domino’s, Papa John’s, and Pizza Hut) offer rewards, free pizzas, or discounts for members.
-
Check local deals. Independent pizzerias often have daily specials or coupons. Check their website or Facebook page before ordering.
-
Use cashback credit cards or apps. Pay with a card that offers rewards for dining or use apps like Dosh or Upside for cashback on restaurant orders.
-
Split a larger pizza. A large pizza usually costs only a couple of dollars more than a medium but feeds more people.
Cost breakdown: Carryout for a large pizza usually runs $10–$15; delivery can push that to $20 or more once fees are added.
Final Slice: Pizza Savings Add Up
Whether you’re baking it from scratch or picking it up hot and ready, there’s a way to keep your pizza habit from burning your wallet. A little planning, and skipping delivery fees, can save you hundreds per year.
After all, saving money doesn’t mean giving up what you love. It just means finding smarter ways to enjoy every cheesy bite.
