Forkonomics

Part of the “5 Meals for $50” series

Ingredients

• 1½ cups baking mix
• ½ cup water
• ½ cup pizza sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¼ cup sliced pepperoni
• ¼ cup diced ham
• Optional: sliced grape tomatoes or leftover vegetables
• Salt, pepper, garlic powder (assumed pantry staples)
• Butter or margarine for greasing

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine baking mix and water to form a soft dough.
3. Press dough into a greased baking sheet or pizza pan to form a crust.
4. Spread pizza sauce evenly over the crust.
5. Top with mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, ham, and any optional toppings.
6. Bake for 12–15 minutes or until crust is golden and cheese is melted.

Cost Breakdown

Ingredient	Portion Used	Estimated Cost
Baking Mix	1½ cups	$0.75
Water	½ cup	$0.00
Pizza Sauce	½ cup	$0.50
Mozzarella Cheese	1 cup	$1.50
Pepperoni	¼ cup	$0.50
Ham	¼ cup	$0.50

Total Estimated Cost: $3.75

Ingredient Philosophy

Forkonomics recipes are designed to be practical, flexible, and budget-conscious. While fresh vegetables are preferred when available, frozen or leftover options are used here to reduce prep time and support affordability.

Each recipe assumes the following pantry staples are on hand:

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Butter or margarine

Any additional spices or specialty ingredients will be listed in the shopping guide.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with a side salad or fruit. This recipe can be doubled for a larger crowd or portioned for lunch the next day.