Homemade Pizza Cost Per Slice Calculator

Find out how cheap homemade pizza really is.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to make homemade pizza?
A typical homemade pizza using store-bought ingredients costs $3 to $8 in materials for the whole pizza, or roughly $0.50 to $1.50 per slice. Compared to delivery pizza at $2 to $4 per slice, homemade pizza saves 50 to 70 percent.
Is making pizza dough from scratch cheaper than buying premade dough?
Yes. Homemade pizza dough costs about $0.30 to $0.60 in ingredients. Premade refrigerated dough runs $3 to $5 per ball. Scratch dough is 5 to 10 times cheaper per pizza and takes about 10 minutes of active work with 1 to 2 hours of hands-off rise time.
What is the biggest cost in homemade pizza?
Cheese is typically the highest-cost ingredient in a homemade pizza, accounting for 40 to 60 percent of the total ingredient cost. A pizza uses 6 to 8 oz of mozzarella, which costs $1.50 to $3.00 depending on quality and whether you buy shredded or fresh.
How do I get a crispy homemade pizza crust?
Preheat your oven as hot as it will go, ideally 500 to 550 degrees Fahrenheit, for at least 45 minutes with a pizza stone, baking steel, or heavy sheet pan inside. The preheated surface is the key to a crispy bottom. Thin dough on a hot surface gives you a restaurant-quality crust.
How long does homemade pizza dough last?
Homemade dough keeps in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days in an oiled, covered bowl. It freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen dough balls in the refrigerator overnight, then let them come to room temperature for 1 to 2 hours before stretching.

How Cheap Is Homemade Pizza Really?

Homemade pizza is one of the highest-value meals you can make from scratch. The ingredients for a full 12-inch pizza using store-bought flour, canned tomatoes, shredded mozzarella, and basic toppings cost $4 to $8. A comparable pizza from a delivery chain runs $14 to $22 with fees and tip. That is a savings of $10 to $15 per pizza, or $1 to $2 per slice.

If your family eats pizza twice a month, that is a potential annual saving of $240 to $360 just from switching to homemade. And homemade pizza is almost always better than frozen, competitive with delivery, and endlessly customizable.

Where the Cost Goes in a Homemade Pizza

  • Dough: Scratch dough costs $0.30 to $0.60 per pizza in flour, yeast, oil, and salt. It takes about 10 minutes to mix and 1 to 2 hours to rise. Premade dough balls from the grocery store run $2 to $4 but save the rise time.
  • Sauce: A can of crushed San Marzano tomatoes costs $2 to $4 and covers 3 to 4 pizzas, making the sauce contribution about $0.50 to $1.00 per pizza. A jar of pre-made marinara costs $2 to $4 and yields 2 to 3 pizzas.
  • Cheese: The biggest cost. A pizza uses 6 to 8 ounces of mozzarella, typically costing $1.50 to $3.00. Buying an 8-oz block and shredding it yourself is 30 percent cheaper than pre-shredded.
  • Toppings: Pepperoni, sausage, vegetables, and mushrooms add $0.50 to $3.00 depending on quantity and type.

Tips to Cut Cost Further

  • Make dough in bulk and freeze individual dough balls. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
  • Buy mozzarella in bulk blocks and shred yourself.
  • Use canned whole tomatoes crushed by hand for sauce. They are cheaper and taste better than most jarred sauces.