Money Saving Mom®

Classic View

Grid View

Shared Sep 25, 2012 comment

Pasta Pictures Busy Bag

Published: by Crystal Paine on September 25, 2012 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

This Busy Bag idea is so simple, but my kids loved it this week. It’s not exactly reusable — but it’s very, very inexpensive to put together, especially if you find a great deal on pasta!

Just put a bottle of glue, some pieces of cardstock, and some uncooked pasta (shapes and colors work best) into a ziptop bag. Or, feel free to skip the step of actually assembling the bag — but sometimes it’s easier to just go ahead and make up a bunch of Busy Bags so that you aren’t having to remember online ideas and assemble things on the fly.

Basically, just give your children the bag contents: some cardstock, glue, and uncooked pasta and let them have fun creating pictures. I’d recommend being close by if you have younger children, since glue and toddlers doesn’t always mix well. 😉

You can also do the same thing with uncooked beans. Or, if you want to jazz things up a bit and you only have plain pasta, you can dye your own pasta.

Note: As children can potentially choke on hard pasta, make sure to supervise them with this activity.

Find more Busy Bag ideas here.

Shared Sep 25, 2012 comment

Stock Your Freezer in Just an Hour Per Week

Published: by Crystal Paine on September 25, 2012 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

I’m over at MomLife Today talking about one of my favorite subjects — freezer cooking:

I don’t know about you, but there are some days at our home when life whizzes by so quickly and all of a sudden it’s 5 p.m. and dinner isn’t even a figment of my imagination. For most people, the fallback is to call and order takeout or run and get something at the grocery store at the last minute.

But this is stressful and expensive, not to mention unhealthy. There must be a better solution!

For me, the solution to the 5 p.m. “What’s for dinner?” panic is called “freezer cooking.” If I forgot to pull something out from the freezer earlier in the day, I can just pick a meal from my freezer stash that defrosts quickly — such as meatballs.

I can pair this with some frozen veggies, rice, and maybe a fruit salad. No one even has to know I forgot about dinner until 30 minutes before it was supposed to happen!

Read the full post.

Want to learn more about freezer cooking? Here are some posts to get you started:

Shared Sep 25, 2012 comment

Do It Yourself: Homemade Laundry Color-Catchers

Published: by Crystal Paine on September 25, 2012 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

OneGoodThingByJillee.com shows you how to make homemade laundry color-catchers.

Do you have a fun and frugal DIY idea to share? I’d love to hear about it! Read the submission guidelines and submit it here.

Shared Sep 25, 2012 comment

The Ultimate Beans & Rice Recipe Link-Up

Published: by Crystal Paine on September 25, 2012 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Looking for some new beans and rice recipe ideas? Meet Penny has a Beans & Rice Recipes link-up with lots of yummy-looking recipes. Go check it out — and leave a link to your favorite, too!

Shared Sep 24, 2012 comment

Q&A: How do you do it all and stay sane & happy? (Part 1)

Published: by Crystal Paine on September 24, 2012 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

How do you do it? Mom, Wife, Cook, Clean, Homeschool, Blog, Coupon, and all around Happy Woman? Here’s a little on me: We just recently moved. Now we are 4 hours from family and friends so its just me and my 6 month old son. I LOVE your articles on 21 days to a clean house, freezer cooking, morning routines, and enjoy reading your goals list. My mom explained that being a supermom takes time and practice. I just want to know where to start.

There are 3 grocery stores to watch deals at, couponing, cleaning the house, trying to cook some dinner and maybe even some snacks, oh yeah, and taking care of my 6 month old that I recently started cloth diapering and I want to make some food for him (cook it up and blend it is WAY cheaper than buying jars!) And there are still a lot of boxes to unpack, and from there, donate and sell stuff and sort papers. I can’t do it all. Where do I start? -Jen

Let me just set your mind at ease, Jen: I’m not superwoman and I am far from having my act all together. All my local friends will tell you that I’ve got plenty of areas where I struggle in — just like everyone else. 🙂

That said, my heart goes out to you as a young mom. I well remember feeling so overwhelmed and inadequate with all of life’s demands when I just had my first baby. And I wanted to answer your question as best as I could, in hopes that it might encourage you and other moms out there who are struggling with feeling inadequate or just feeling overwhelmed with life’s demands.

Tonight, I’ll talk about how I do it (or don’t!). Tomorrow, I’ll share some suggestions I thought of for how you can find more peace, order, and fulfillment as a wife and mom.

1. I Don’t Do It All

As I’ve mentioned many times before, I lost my superwoman cape in the dirty laundry pile a long time ago. 😉 I think it coincided with the birth of my third child. That’s when I realized I so did not have my act together and needed to streamline if I were going to survive.

Also, I wanted to not just survive; I wanted to thrive. I didn’t want to look back at the end of my life and feel like I’d wasted my years. I’ve only got one shot at life and I want to use it well.

As a result, I’ve realized that I can’t do it all. I can’t even do a lot of things. I can only do a few things well. So, I’ve prayerfully chose what few things were priorities in my life (see my list here) and then I’ve been seeking to wrap my life around those things.

By choosing to only do a few things, I’ve been able to make those things a priority and focus. This simplifies my life and it helps me to stop feeling guilty about all the things I’m not doing that other people are. There may be a season for those things, but right now, I just gotta stick with a few things!

2. I Have a Very Supportive Husband

There is no way I could or would be blogging, running a business, speaking, and writing books if it weren’t for my husband. He’s my number one cheerleader and he is so excited about the opportunities and doors God is opening for me.

My husband is fantastic and we’re truly a team. As I mentioned last week, we both work together for the economy of our home. That means, it’s not uncommon at all for him to be helping with cleaning or dishes, he usually takes care of the kids’ bedtime routine, and he helps with the homeschooling.

3. I Set Boundaries — Even When It’s Hard

After reaching the point of burnout a few years back, I’ve put some really clear cut boundaries in place when it comes to what I will take on and commit to. For starters, we try be home at least 4 nights each week and I try to stay home all day at least two full days every week. This helps provide a calmer home environment for us and prevents us from always rushing around to the next thing.

I’m a big believer in margin. I try to do something fun and enjoyable every day — even if it’s just 15 minutes of reading a good book. Because of my Type A personality, I’ve come to realize that if I’m not intentional about making fun and relaxation a priority, it won’t happen much. And I need to stop and smell the roses and have that white space in each day to give me energy and refuel my tank.

If life has been especially busy for a few weeks, I’ll declare a PJ Day and we’ll just stay home, take it easy, snuggle up and read, and/or watch a movie. Or, we’ll just go out and go to the library or the park for something different.

We take every Sunday off — off from media, off from blogging, off from our usual responsibilities. After church, we often go drive around (something my husband loves to do!), we sometimes stop for Sonic Happy Hour, and we typically have a leisurely extended lunch just hanging out as a family: talking, teasing, and catching up. After lunch, we usually read or take naps. And then we head to my family’s house around 6 p.m. for dinner with all of my side of the family. We look forward to Sundays all week long: it recharges and refuels us for the week — and it helps us to stay connected and grounded.

4. I Have Great Help

I’ve learned the hard way that I can’t do everything on my own. For a few years, I had a fantastic mother’s helper come in once a week to do whatever I needed done: deep cleaning, cooking, watching the children, or helping me catch up on laundry. Since my children are older now and able to help more, she’s no longer coming, but it was a huge help during a full season of life.

I’m blessed to have a great team of people who work for me to help shoulder the load of business responsibilities. I’d be completely sunk without them! And my assistant keeps my life running smoothly and orderly — so that I can focus on homeschooling, mothering, and loving my husband while still having time for friendships and margin. We’re also blessed to live near grandparents and extended family who are happy to babysit or help out however needed.

5. And Yes, Sometimes I Feel Like Pulling My Hair Out

Despite all of these things, please don’t get the impression that I have all of my ducks in a row and constantly have a cheerful attitude. There are days when my patience seems nonexistent, there are times when I fail miserably, and there are moments when I want to pull my hair out. God reminds me often of how much I need His grace and help — and how without Him, I am nothing.

Stay tuned for my post tomorrow on some practical steps you can take to find more order in your home and life.

I’d love for the rest of you to chime in with your thoughts and advice for Jen. I can’t wait to read your comments and input!

photos from Big Stock

WANT TO SAVE $100 FAST?!Join the FREE 14-Day Savings Challenge!

Click here to sign up!

Shared Sep 24, 2012 comment

Lunchbox Freezer Cooking: Homemade Pizza Lunchables (Day 6)

Published: by Crystal Paine on September 24, 2012 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Inspired by this idea, I made Homemade Pizza Lunchables. I used our favorite Pizza Dough recipe and they turned out really well.

To serve these, you could either make them like Lunchables with some shredded cheese in a baggie, some pizza sauce in a little container, and one of the pizza crusts for your child to put together for their lunch. All of these items could be frozen in an airtight bag or an airtight freezer-friendly plastic lunch container.

Or, if you’re eating at home, you could top these with whatever pizza toppings you like and either heat them in the microwave or toaster oven, or bake them in the oven until heated through.

By the way, you can find a Dairy-Free version of this idea here.

Are you joining us for Lunchbox Freezer Cooking? If you’ve blogged about a lunchbox recipes you’ve made for your freezer, leave a link to your post and recipe below. I can’t wait to see your yummy recipes and ideas!

Shared Sep 24, 2012 comment

10 goals for this week

Published: by Crystal Paine on September 24, 2012 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

I was supposed to be out of town Tuesday through Friday of this week, but my trip got canceled at the very last minute (this afternoon!) because of a serious illness. So what was supposed to be a very full week, has now turned into a much calmer week — and an opportunity to catch up on a few things that have been hanging over my head for the past few weeks.

Last week’s goals:

Family/Marriage/Mothering Goals

1. Read at least 8 chapters of A Way Through the Sea aloud to the kids.

~~2. Write a love note to Jesse.~~

3. Take children to the library/~~meet friends at the park for a playdate.~~

Personal Goals

4. Finish reading Running For My Life, Eats, Shoots, and Leaves, Now, Discover Your Strengths, ~~Abundant Simplicity~~, and ~~Happier at Home.~~

~~5. Listen to two chapters of Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard.~~

6. Exercise at least five times. {It was only three times. I’ve got to stop slacking in this department!}

Homemaking Goals

~~7. Finish 25 more rows of the scarf I’m working on knitting.~~

8. Make at least two new recipes.

9. Spot clean and wash curtains in kitchen.

Business Goals

~~10. Blog four posts in the Lunchbox Freezer Cooking series.~~

This week’s goals:

Family/Marriage/Mothering Goals

1. Read at least 8 chapters of A Way Through the Sea aloud to the kids.

2. Write a love note to Jesse.

Personal Goals

3. Finish reading 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess (re-reading for a project I’m working on), Whose Voice the Waters Heard, The Husband Project, Mended, Shades of Morning, Now, Discover Your Strengths.

4. Listen to two chapters of Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard.

5. Exercise at least five times.

Homemaking Goals

6. Finish 25 more rows of the scarf I’m working on knitting.

7. Make at least two new recipes.

8. Go through our house for our garage sale next week.

Business Goals

9. Finish the Lunchbox Freezer Cooking series.

10. Finish book proposal for my next book & submit to my agent (Woot! So excited about the topic and contents planned for my next book!)

How did you do on last week’s goals? What are your goals for this week? I’d love to have you share your progress on last week’s goals and your goals for this coming week in the comments. Of, if you’ve blogged about it, leave your direct link below. Let’s cheer each other on to live purposeful and productive lives!

You can download a free customizable weekly goal-planning sheet here.

Shared Sep 24, 2012 comment

This week’s menu

Published: by Crystal Paine on September 24, 2012 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Breakfasts

Homemade Instant Oatmeal Packets, Cereal, Toast, Eggs, and/or Fruit

Lunches

Lunch after church on Sunday: Pumpkin Pancakes, scrambled eggs, fruit
Cheese Quesadillas, oranges, carrot sticks
Snack-y lunch, fresh carrot/orange juice
Mac & cheese, veggies, fruit
Pizza Lunchables, veggies, fruit
Leftovers x 2

Snacks

Fruit/Veggies
Homemade Bagels
Homemade Wheat Thins
Chewy No-Bake Granola Bars

Freezer Cooking

Homemade Bagels
Homemade Wheat Thins
Chewy No-Bake Granola Bars
Lunchbox Freezer Cooking

Dinners

Dinner with extended family
Build-Your-Own Haystacks, fruit
Homemade Chicken Salsa Pizza Pockets (recipe coming tomorrow), fruit, steamed veggies
Steak, Twice-Baked Potatoes, Steamed Veggies, Fruit
Keilbasa/Potatoes/Carrots/Onions in the Crockpot, Soft 100% Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls, fruit salad
Lasagna Cups, Soft 100% Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls, fruit veggies
Dinner at church function

What’s on your menu this week? Share details and/or your link to your menu plan in the comments.

Shared Sep 24, 2012 comment

How I Earn Free Coke Rewards and Get Some Exercise, Too!

Published: by Crystal Paine on September 24, 2012 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Guest post from Sheila from The Frugal Exerciser

Last year, I decided to start getting freebies from Coke by collecting the bottle-tops. I had 240 Coke Rewards from playing the Monopoly game from McDonald’s and I needed 360 points to get the Omaha Steaks E-card. Since I can’t consume that many drinks all by myself, I decided to go Coke hunting.

In Chicago, there are many locations with discarded Coca-Cola product bottles. I made those locations my hunting spots. At first, it was quite embarrassing to be outside picking up empty bottles; so I made sure to go out very early on Sunday mornings. After a couple of months, I started thinking, “Who cares? If you see me collecting Coke bottles, oh well!”

The first problem I encountered was remembering all of the products Coca-Cola made. I had to have a cheat sheet: “Do I pick up Squirt or Country Time?” It took a while to figure that out, but I eventually got to know the products very well.

I can remember the largest stash I brought home. I was in an area near a highway and the road was very long. I parked my car and with plastic bag and rubber gloves in hand, I would pick up, walk and pick up. This lasted for 15 minutes and I would get back in the car, drive a little bit further and repeat the process. By the time I was done, I had walked for 60 minutes and had 40 bottles plus two Coke cartons. My total for that day was a whopping 160 free Coke points!

I eventually cashed in my points and got my E-card. Since then, I’ve cashed in for several things like FTD Flowers gift card, free Coke products, Restaurant.com $50 gift certificate, and so forth.

One man’s trash is truly another man’s treasure!

The Frugal Exerciser blogger is Sheila Simmons. She has a masters degree from Ball State University in exercise physiology and cardiac rehab. The owner of The Body Workout fitness program in Chicago is dedicated to changing lives through fitness and healthy living.

Shared Sep 22, 2012 comment

Easy Homemade Hummus

Published: by Crystal Paine on September 22, 2012 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

With only a few ingredients, homemade hummus is super easy to make, and will save you almost 90% over buying store bought!

Guest post from of Chris.

Get ready. Today, you’re in for a good ol’ fashioned food fight! Don’t pretend like you don’t love those.

Two similar items are going to face off to determine who the winner is. We all know that price comparisons are vital to a frugal food budget, so the winner will be determined by value.

This time we’re going to get downright Middle Eastern with Hummus.

Though hummus originates in the Middle East, it has recently made the long journey to American kitchens, and we’re all better for it.

The hippies of the 60’s and 70’s were some of the first Americans to give it a go, but over the last 10 years, hummus has gone mainstream.

It’s not just for vegans and vegetarians any more. Sales are growing exponentially with no signs of slowing down.

So, what is hummus?

It’s remarkably simple. Hummus is pureed chickpeas with a few different spices and flavorings.

The most basic varieties include garlic, lemon juice, and maybe some tahini.

That’s about it.

Chickpeas (or Garbanzo Beans) are actually the most widely consumed legume in the world. Hummus can take credit for much of this, but chickpeas are also pretty great by themselves once soaked and cooked properly.

My wife and I love them in salads. They’re a great source of protein and are very low in calories.

However, there’s one big problem. As much as I love hummus, it’s awfully expensive. Have you looked at the prices at your local deli recently? It’s enough to make you drop to your knees and cry.

So, what we need is a no-nonsense price comparison — we need a food fight.

Here we go.

How much hummus can you get for $0.25?

Talk about a big difference!

The first photo demonstrates Cedar’s Hummus, which was the least expensive hummus I could find at my local market ($2.50). The other brands were usually priced between $3 and $4.

The second is a super easy homemade version prepared by yours truly. You get more than 5 servings (1/4 cup per serving) for only a quarter! What other healthy snack boasts that kind of frugality?

Homemade Hummus vs. Store Bought

The bottom line is this: We all know that homemade usually wins the price comparison over store-bought, no matter what the product. However, some foods barely win out and other foods simply blow away the competition. Hummus is one of the latter.

I simply can’t think of a plausible explanation why it costs so much in stores. It’s 95% pureed chickpeas. Do you know how cheap dried chickpeas are?!

The only reason I could come up with is that it’s still considered a specialty item. Even with it’s recent acceptance, hummus is still considered slightly exotic, and therefore, companies can get away with charging more for the mystery. I’m here to take the mystery out of it. It couldn’t be simpler or cheaper to make.

Ingredients for Homemade Hummus

1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas (about 3/4 cup dry) — see notes below
2 cloves garlic (minced)
2 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup water (or 1/4 c. olive oil + 1/4 water)

Ingredient Notes

To cook dried chickpeas, first soak them over night in cold water. Then, bring the soaked chickpeas to a boil in plenty of water and reduce the heat to a simmer for 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours until tender. Leave the lid of the pot tilted slightly to allow some of the steam to escape.

You may also use canned chickpeas (already cooked), just realize that you’ll pay more per serving.

Hummus Ingredient Substitutions

The main thing missing from my recipe is Tahini. It’s an oily paste made from sesame seeds that most commercial hummus use. I don’t think Tahini is necessary, but if you miss it, go ahead and add it in next time.

You could also add olive oil if you’d like. Try 3 Tablespoon of oil and 1/4 cup water instead of 1/2 cup of water if you’d like a richer flavor.

Another delicious option… swap the onion powder for 1/4 teaspoon cumin and 1/4 teaspoon chili powder for a more Southwestern flavor.

How to Make Homemade Hummus

1. Combine all of the ingredients other than the water/oil into a quality food processor or blender.

2. Blend, on high, until you have a rough paste.

3. Add water, 1/4 cup at a time, and continue blending, scraping down the sides occasionally if needed. You can add more or less water than suggested, depending on your desired consistency.

4. Serve with veggies, crackers, pita bread, or any other favorites and enjoy!

Be creative when making hummus. There are hundreds of possibilities!

Recipe

Easy Homemade Hummus

Author Crystal Paine

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Mediterranean

Prep Time 15

Soak and Cook the Chick Peas 10

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas about 3/4 cup dry
2 cloves garlic minced
2 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup water or 1/4 c. olive oil + 1/4 water

Instructions

Combine all of the ingredients other than the water/oil into a quality food processor or blender.
Blend, on high, until you have a rough paste.
Add water, 1/4 cup at a time, and continue blending, scraping down the sides occasionally if needed. You can add more or less water than suggested, depending on your desired consistency.
Serve with veggies, crackers, pita bread, or any other favorites and enjoy!

Notes

You may also use canned chickpeas (already cooked), just realize that you’ll pay more per serving.

Nutrition

Love this recipe?

Make sure to share and save it on your favorite platform below!

Pin Recipe

OVER-SPENDING EVERY SINGLE MONTH?Grab these FREE Budgeting Sheets!

Click here to download!

Shared Sep 22, 2012 comment

Turn your newspaper into cute gift sacks

Published: by Crystal Paine on September 22, 2012 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Here’s a creative idea for repurposing newspaper into gift sacks.

Or here’s another tutorial (in English!) for another gift bag that can be made out of newspaper.

Shared Sep 21, 2012 comment

5 Ways to Involve Your Spouse in Financial Decisions

Published: by Crystal Paine on September 21, 2012 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

bigstock-Wedding-Rings-And-Money-2630871_zpsb74e4c29

Guest post by SB of One Cent at Time

If you’ve been married for a while, there’s a pretty good chance that either you or your spouse is the one “in charge” of the family finances. And if you’re like me, your spouse might not be nearly as involved as you would like — or they might even refuse to get involved.

This dilemma, which is be a huge issue for many marriages, can be addressed in an agreeable manner if you have the proper tools and attitude. Here are five tips that could help your spouse to get more involved in your family’s finances:

1. Focus on solving the problem, but don’t fight.

A two-way conversation is the only tool that will result favorably. It’s easier to gently persuade someone into changing their mind and it helps if you both focus on your goals which are mutual.

Try opening with the feel/felt/found method. For example, “When you bull up and refuse to discuss the finances with me, I FEEL like my concerns don’t matter. What I’ve found is that when I FEEL that way, I am not as careful about how I spend our money because I’m hurt and angry.”

2. Use the “switch-a-roo” method.

If you spouse usually is not the bill-payer, let them give it a try for a month (and of course offer to help if necessary) This will give him or her a better understanding and appreciation for how important it is to be involved in the decision making process of your family’s finances.

3. Dream together.

We all have dreams of what we would do if money were not issue… but the reality is that without team work between couples, all of these wants and desires remain unrealized pipe dreams and may never come to fruition. Communicate your ideas and listen to your spouse’s ideas. Realize that you need to develop a plan TOGETHER to make your dreams come true.

4. Do the math.

If your spouse still can’t see the importance of his or her participation in the financial decision making, sit down together and look at your budget (or create a budget). When the numbers are right there in front of your eyes, it’s easier to be involved in the family finances.

5. Have regular discussions.

Open communication is so important if you want to get your spouse more involved with the financial future of your family. Any purchases that are going to come out of the monthly budget should be discussed. Not argued over, but discussed like adults!

Treat each other like business partners.

Listen to the concerns of the other, but don’t let anything get blown out of proportion. If you can’t communicate with your spouse without losing your temper, you will never be able to realize your common goals and dreams. Only gentle persuasion and mature discussion will get your spouse to participate in the family financial decisions.

What about you…

Do you do the finances in your family? Or do and your spouse tackle it together?

Do you have any other tips for encouraging your spouse to get involved more in your family’s finances?

SB is a personal finance blogger who writes about saving money, becoming rich and earning extra money over at One Cent at Time.

Shared Sep 21, 2012 comment

Easy Pepperoni Rolls

Published: by Crystal Paine on September 21, 2012 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

It doesn’t get much better than delicious homemade bread dough stuffed with savory pepperoni and gooey cheese! These pepperoni rolls are perfect for everything from an after school snack to a quick evening meal.

Guest post by Brigette Shevy:

My family can’t get enough of these Homemade Pepperoni Rolls

I love that they can be made up ahead of time and frozen (by the way, this recipe easily doubles) – making them so easy to include in a sack lunch.

I stick these frozen in my husband’s lunch box, and they are completely thawed and ready to eat by lunchtime — which means they are the perfect solution for when I forget to pack his lunch… not that I’ve ever done that, of course!

If you’re feeling creative, you can always experiment with different combinations of cheese, or add some extra filling ingredients.

I hope your family will enjoy this recipe as much as mine does!

Pizza Rolls Pepperoni Ingredients

For the Dough:

1 cup warm milk
3 T. butter, melted
1 egg
2 T. sugar
¾ teaspoon salt
3 ¼ cups flour (I use 2 cups all-purpose and 1 ¼ cups white whole wheat)
1 T. instant active yeast

For the Filling:

4-5 oz. sliced pepperoni (this amount is flexible, based on your family’s preferences)
8 oz. block of mozzarella cheese, cut into 24 squares approximately the same size

For the Topping:

1 T. melted butter
2-3 T. shredded Parmesan cheese

How to Make the Best Pepperoni Rolls Recipe

1. Combine all dough ingredients in your bread machine in the order listed, or in the order recommended by your particular brand of bread machine.

2. Run the short dough cycle.

3. Divide dough into 12 pieces.

4. Flatten each into a circle about 4-5” in diameter.

5. Put several pepperoni slices and 2 chunks of cheese in the center of each dough piece.

6. Bring up the sides of the dough around the filling and pinch the ends together.

7. Roll each into a ball, making sure the dough is evenly distributed around the filling with no “thin” spots.

8. Preheat oven to 350º.

9. Place dough balls on greased cookie sheets (place any visible seams down) and let rise for 15-20 minutes in a warm place while the oven preheats.

10. Bake in preheated oven for 12-15 minutes.

How to serve Easy Pepperoni Rolls

They are great fresh from the oven, at room temperature, and yep, even cold. 🙂

If I’m serving these for dinner, I’ll often include marinara sauce on the side. Dipping sauce is definitely not necessary though — for quick on-the-go meals, we love them just the way they are!

Pizza Rolls Pepperoni Storage

If you have any leftovers, let them cool and then refrigerate in a food storage container for up to a week.

You can also freeze them if you want to store them longer.

Best Pepperoni Rolls Recipe Variations

One of my favorite things about this recipe is that it’s SO easy to mix up based on what you have in the house, what ingredients are on sale, or what your family prefers.

Here are some ideas:

Ham and Swiss (perfect for after Christmas or Easter)
Turkey and Cheddar (great for after Thanksgiving)
Leftover breakfast sausage and mozzarella — with or without pizza sauce
A mixture of meats (bacon crumbles, salami, pepperoni, sausage, with cheese and sauce (you might want to chop all the meat up together so it fits inside the rolls.
Just mozzarella cheese — sort of like a cheesy breadstick, and perfect for pickier eaters!
Marshmallows! If you want a sweet version, put a marshmallow inside and then coat the outside with melted butter and cinnamon sugar.

Use your imagination and try whatever sounds good to you — it will likely taste great too!

Recipe