Dinner · italian
Frozen Pizza Upgrade
Frozen pizza is the dinner parents pretend not to serve, but this version earns its place on the table with about two minutes of extra effort.
How to make it
Preheat oven to the temperature on the pizza box (usually 400-425°F).
Scatter mushrooms and a small handful of spinach over the frozen pizza.
Add an extra sprinkle of mozzarella on top.
Bake per box directions, usually 14-18 minutes, until crust is crisp.
Amy's Cheese Pizza and Newman's Own Thin Crust are solid baseline picks that taste better than the bargain options. Tombstone and DiGiorno hold up better than most when you add toppings that release moisture. The key is sticking to low-water toppings: pre-sliced mushrooms, baby spinach, thin-sliced pepperoni, or pre-cooked Italian sausage crumbles. Watery vegetables like fresh tomato or zucchini will make the crust soggy.
To stretch it further, serve with a bagged salad kit on the side. Let kids scatter their own toppings before it goes in the oven, which counts as the extent of cooking education needed for this meal.
Need tonight's dinner handled?
Playful Parents knows your family — what's worked before, how much energy everyone has — and suggests one specific meal. Not a list. One.
Try Playful Parents free →Times are approximate. Adjust to your stove and your kids.