Everything You Can Do with a Store-Bought Pizza Dough

It’s a dream ingredient.

By: Foodlets
Food stylist: Jamie Kimm 
Prop Stylist: Marina Malchin

GRILLED_SHRIMP_PIZZA_009.tif

Food stylist: Jamie Kimm Prop Stylist: Marina Malchin ,Food stylist: Jamie Kimm Prop Stylist: Marina Malchin

Photo by: Antonis Achilleos

Antonis Achilleos

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.

Food Network Kitchen's Kids Can Make: Pull-Apart Pizza Bread for Food Network

Food Network Kitchen's Kids Can Make: Pull-Apart Pizza Bread for Food Network

Photo by: Alice Gao ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Alice Gao, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

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

Frame 27,Giada De Laurentiis' Pizza Pot Pies for Food Network

EI1113_Pizza_Pot_Pie

Frame 27,Giada De Laurentiis' Pizza Pot Pies for Food Network

Photo by: Tara Donne ©2012, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Tara Donne, 2012, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

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?

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