Homemade French Bread Pizza ($10 Family Dinner Idea) and more...

Ever tried homemade French Bread Pizza in the oven? This recipe is delicious, frugal, and SO easy! This post is part of our $10 Dinner Ideas series, brought to you by Brigette on our team! Each week, she will be sharing easy, delicious, and affordable ... ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  View Online Here's what's new: Homemade French Bread Pizza ($10 Family Dinner Idea) Small Leaks, Big Impact: How Tiny Daily Spending Habits Can Quietly Drain (or Transform!) Your Budget Homemade French Bread Pizza ($10 Family Dinner Idea) Ever tried homemade French Bread Pizza in the oven? This recipe is delicious, frugal, and SO easy! This post is part of our $10 Dinner Ideas series, brought to you by Brigette on our team! Each week, she will be sharing easy, delicious, and affordable family-friendly dinner ideas that cost less than $10 to make, use everyday ingredients, and are super quick meals. French Bread Pizza This week’s dinner centers around homemade French Bread Pizza and adds easy vegetables and fruit to make it a full meal, ready in under 20 minutes (including cooking time!). This is a super simple, cheap meal that was originally inspired by the cart of reduced bakery items in the back of my Walmart store! Pretty much every time I am at Walmart, the cart is there and full. I have been able to find loaves of French bread for anywhere from $0.50 – $0.79 every time I have looked for them. I would assume that most Walmarts have a similar cart. Even if yours doesn’t, the regular price for their French bread is very cheap and an easy alternative for pizza crust! Pizza is very versatile, so sometimes I add leftover meats or chopped veggies I have that need to be used up. I also mix up the cheeses depending on what I have on hand, or what is cheapest/on sale that week. I used Colby Jack for this post because it was on a markdown at my Aldi. I also like to add fresh herbs since I try to have those growing year-round at my house. Homemade French Bread Pizza Dinner Menu: French Bread Pizzas Mixed Vegetables Grapes Ingredients for Dinner with Homemade French Bread Pizza: 2 loaves French Bread, reduced (Walmart) – $1.38 A couple of tablespoons of Olive Oil and a sprinkle of Parmesan Cheese (Aldi) – less than $1 1 jar Pasta Sauce (Aldi) – $1.39 4 cups Cheese (Aldi – $2.19 for 3 cups) – $2.92 2 bags Frozen Mixed Veggies (Aldi) – $1.90 1 1/2 lbs Red Grapes (Aldi) – $1.78 Total: $10 (Serves 6 or more!) How to Make Homemade French Bread Pizza in the Oven: 1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. 2. Cut the loaves in half and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with garlic salt (or seasonings of your choice). 3. Bake for 5 minutes or until lightly browned. 4. Evenly divide the pasta sauce between the 4 halves. (Feel free to adjust the sauce amount based on your preferences – this is a generous amount). 5. Add the cheese and any other toppings of your choice. 6. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese. 7. Bake another 10 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and lightly browned. (You can also broil this for the last minute or so, if you desire). 8. While the pizza is cooking, rinse your grapes and steam your veggies in the microwave, according to package instructions. 9. When your pizza is done cooking, sprinkle fresh basil on top, if you’d like. French Bread Pizza Recipe FAQ How do I make French Bread Pizza not soggy? By sprinkling the bread with olive oil and lightly toasting it before adding the pizza sauce, your bread will stay nice and crisp. How long does it take to air fry French Bread Pizza? Since the air fryer circulates the hot air more than an oven does, you’ll want to cut the temperature and the cooking time, compared to using an oven. Set your air fryer to 400 degrees and pre-toast the bread for only 4 minutes before applying the sauce and other toppings. Then cook the assembled pizza for another 8 minutes or until cheese is bubbly. Print Homemade French Bread Pizza ($10 Dinner Idea) Course Main Course Cuisine American Keyword easy dinner, family favorite, homemade, pizza, weeknight dinner Prep Time 5 minutes minutes Cook Time 15 minutes minutes Servings 8 Calories 696kcal Author Brigette Cost $10 Ingredients 2 Loaves French Bread Walmart (reduced) – $1.38 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil 1 Jar of Pasta Sauce Aldi – $1.39 4 cups Cheese Aldi – $2.19 for 3 cups – $2.92 Sprinkle of Parmesan Cheese Aldi – less than $1 Sprinkle of Fresh Basil if desired 2 bags Frozen Mixed Veggies Aldi – $1.90 1 1/2 lbs Red Grapes Aldi – $1.78 Instructions Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Cut the loaves in half and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with garlic salt (or seasonings of your choice). Bake for 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Evenly divide the pasta sauce between the 4 halves. (Feel free to adjust the sauce amount based on your preferences – this is a generous amount). Add the cheese and any other toppings of your choice. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Bake another 10 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and lightly browned. (You can also broil this for the last minute or so, if you desire). While the pizza is cooking, rinse your grapes and steam your veggies in the microwave according to package instructions. Add fresh chopped basil at the very end, if desired. Nutrition Serving: 8g | Calories: 696kcal | Carbohydrates: 90g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 1499mg | Potassium: 741mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 4588IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 504mg | Iron: 6mg More Recipes You’ll Love: Mini Freezable Lasagna Recipe Crockpot Taco Soup Recipe Cheesy Italian Bread Recipe Sheet Pan Veggies and Sausage Best Ever Black Bean Soup Freezer- Friendly Italian Lemon Chicken Recipe And, be sure to check out all our easy dinner recipes here! Do you have a favorite family dinner for under $10 or a suggestion for what I should make next? Share your ideas in the comments below! FREE One Week Menu Plan! Done-For-You Dinner Recipes With Simple Ingredients and a Grocery Shopping List!       Small Leaks, Big Impact: How Tiny Daily Spending Habits Can Quietly Drain (or Transform!) Your Budget Did you know that small spending habits can quietly drain your budget? Learn simple, practical strategies to stop impulsive spending when you’re wondering “why can’t I save money?“! Almost all of us have probably done it before. You run into Target for one thing and walk out with five extra “little” items. You swing through the drive-thru for a quick coffee or grab a few snacks while filling up on gas. $5 here. $10 there. Maybe $15 on something cute you found on sale. It doesn’t feel like a big deal in the moment. In fact, it often feels like a well-deserved treat after a long day or a necessary purchase for your home or family. But over time? These small, frequent splurges can quietly drain your budget without you even realizing it. Why Most Budgets Aren’t Busted by Big Splurges We tend to think our budgets get blown when we make a major purchase like a new phone, fancy dinner, or vacation. But in reality, it’s our daily spending habits that cause expenses to add up quickly as well. Let’s do a little math. If you spend: $5 on coffee 3 times a week = $60/month $10 on snacks or drive-thru trips twice a week = $80/month $15 on impulse buys at Target or Amazon once a week = $60/month That’s $200/month, or $2,400 a year, just on small, forgettable things! The Power of Awareness Most of us plan our budgets around big expenses like rent or mortgage, utilities, groceries, and gas. And we notice when we splurge on something major, like a new phone or furniture. But the reality is, we don’t usually go over budget because of one big purchase. Instead, we overspend because of little things that fly under the radar, which often happens because we don’t track them. A $7 coffee and muffin combo might not even get logged. A $12 app subscription might be auto-deducted and forgotten. And, by the time your bank account feels tight, you can’t quite figure out why. The problem isn’t your intentions. It’s your awareness. By the way, if you need help tracking your spending, my FREE Budget Worksheets are designed to make the process super simple! Small Spending Habits That Lead to Big Wins The good news is, if small expenses can quietly drain your finances, they can also be the starting point for massive change. Here are a few simple swaps and shifts that don’t feel like deprivation — but can save you hundreds each month: Brew at home Instead of a $5 latte three times a week, invest in a quality at-home coffee setup. Add some flavored creamer, froth your milk, or sprinkle cinnamon on top. Make it a special moment (not a chore) to treat yourself right at home. Shop with a list and a mission Walking into Target or Costco without a plan is like walking into a bakery on an empty stomach. You’ll walk out with more than you intended! Make a list before you go and stick to it. Or try curbside pickup or even grocery delivery to avoid temptation entirely. Unsubscribe from temptation If “just browsing” Amazon is your favorite hobby, consider deleting the app or turning off push notifications. Likewise, unsubscribe from emails with daily deals or flash sales that aren’t aligned with your actual needs. Create a car or purse snack stash. Many impulse purchases happen when you’re hungry or your kids are melting down. Keep inexpensive snacks like granola bars, crackers, or fruit pouches and reusable water bottles handy so you’re not tempted by vending machines or convenience store stops. Use the 24-hour rule Before making a non-essential purchase, give yourself a full day to think about it. Most of the time, the desire fades. And if it doesn’t, at least you’ll know it’s something you truly value. These intentional habits can help you stop impulsive spending. Try the 14-Day $100 Savings Challenge If you’re ready to get started but feel overwhelmed, I created a 14-Day $100 Savings Challenge to walk you through simple, doable tips to help you start saving without needing to overhaul your entire life. Each day gives you one small step. You’ll find extra money in places you didn’t expect, build better saving and spending habits, and feel more confident managing your everyday expenses. You might be surprised by how quickly it adds up! You Don’t Have to Be Perfect to Make Progress If you’ve been feeling frustrated by your spending, or wondering why you can’t save money, take heart. You’re not alone. The truth is, most people don’t break their budgets with one big blowout purchase. It’s the small daily habits like the emotional spending, the rushed decisions, the “I deserve this” moments that add up quietly over time. But those same spending habits can be reshaped, one choice at a time. You don’t have to stop enjoying life. You just have to enjoy it on purpose. Take one step today. Brew your coffee. Pack your snack. Skip the scroll-triggered shopping trip. And if you need a cheerleader along the way? I’m right here, rooting for you. Related Links: The 5-Minute Weekly Budget Check-In That Might Change Your Finances 45+ Things You Might Forget to Budget For 55+ Easy Ways to Save Money at Home Ask Crystal: Which budgeting app is best? Ask Crystal: How can I budget when I’m so far behind? 30 Easy Ways to Save Money 50 Ways to Creatively Lower Expenses Creative Budgeting Tactics You Can Try Now Ask Crystal: What money-saving strategies are worth your time? How to Teach Kids About Money Management: An Age-By-Age Guide Ask Crystal: How do I get my spouse on board with budgeting? What helps you avoid impulse purchases and stick to your budget in the small things? Share your tips in the comments! Ready to Save $100 FAST?! Join this FREE 14-Day $100 Savings Challenge to jumpstart your savings and discover just how easy saving can be!       Latest finds on Pinterest Looking for 20 Easy Christmas Dessert Ideas to wow your family and friends? 🎄✨ From Best Ever Christmas Desserts that taste like holiday magic to quick and simple Christmas Baking Recipes, this list has something for everyone. Whether you’re planning festive treats for a cookie swap, whipping up the Best Desserts For Christmas, or needing sweet bites for your next gathering, these recipes are sure to impress. Perfect for cozy nights, family traditions, and unforgettable Christmas Party Desserts—get ready to make your holiday season extra sweet! 🍪🍫🍰 Are you looking for the perfect pumpkin muffin that you can make at home? Try these Cinnamon Pumpkin Donut Muffins! It contains pumpkin puree, cinnamon, and ginger for an authentic fall flavor! You can make a double batch and freeze a batch for later! Want to have 3 delicious fall desserts in your freezer ready to serve on a crisp fall day? Here are 3 easy fall recipes that you can make ahead and freeze them, so they are ready to eat whenever you want! Safely Unsubscribe • Archives • Preferences • Contact • Subscribe • Privacy Email subscriptions powered by FeedBlitz® • 650 E. Palisade Avenue Ste 2, PO Box 173 • Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632