Okay. I’m a food blogger, caterer, mother of four kids and yet … I’ve never made my own pizza dough. Not even once. Why would I when it’s so easy to buy all that perfectly good dough made by experts who’ve got it down pat? That’s just good sense.

When we lived in Rome, I bought pizza dough from pizzerias in our neighborhood, and that’s an option in the States too. But most often, you’ll just pick up dough from the grocery store; you can get it rolled in a tube or frozen in a ball. It stores easily and handles like a dream — no tossing required. And best of all, once you get your pizza dough home, the options are endless.

Of course, you can make pizza. A Margherita pie is a classic; Tyler Florence makes dough from scratch, but you don't have to. For more creative toppings, check out this Grilled Shrimp Pizza recipe, which is so quick to make. BBQ Chicken Pizza is one of my favorites, while my kids flip for Hawaiian (Ham & Pineapple) every time.

But of all the cheese pizzas out there, the one I’ve seen more kids devour than any other is Very Veggie Pinwheel Pizzas. We’re talking sauce that’s brimming with sauteed veggies — yum.

Or try Heart-Shaped Pizzas too. Use a cookie cutter or go free-hand. Heart-shaped pepperoni, optional.

Then go for pockets. Turkey Pesto Meatball Pockets is always a big hit with my brood, but Easy Veggie Calzones are right behind. Ree Drummond’s Pizza Pockets give you meatless and meaty stuffing options. Feeling especially cheesy? Look no further than Croque Monsieur Pockets with a bit of Gruyere and ham.

For big crowds and parties, you can’t beat rolled Stromboli sandwiches or this adorable Pizza Pull-Apart Bread.

And for the easiest crust ever, roll a pizza dough right over your next batch of mini pot pies.

With all these ideas to try, who has time to make dough?

Related Links:

50 Easy Pizzas

30-Minute Dinner Recipes

Family-Friendly Weeknight Dinner Recipes