It’s time.
Pepperoni time.
For months, many of you have been asking, “what do you do with all that pepperoni?” Now it’s time for the cold, hard truth.
We eat it.
I am originally from New York, where we eat the cured meats on everything: pizza, sandwiches, crackers, melon…Seriously, get you some prosciutto wrapped melon, it will change your life. In my world, pepperoni was just as viable a lunch meat option as ham or turkey.
In New York, there are delis on every corner. Reliably, you can go into any of these delis and get a custom sandwich with whatever they have in the case. Turkey, ham, salami, roast beef, pastrami, tuna, egg salad, pepperoni, corn beef. All could be yours! All you had to do was say the magic words: On a Roll. For many years, my order was Cheddar, Tomato, and Vinegar on a Roll. I have no idea how this particular combination came to be my fave, but it was.
One fateful summer day when I was 13, some pals and I were hitting up our fave deli to grab some lunch. That’s when I heard it. The lunch order that would change everything: “Can I get Pepperoni and Cheddar on a roll?”
PEPPERONI AND CHEDDAR. What an inspired combination. Normally, of course, we think of pepperoni with the Italiante cheeses, your mozzarella, your parmesan, your asiago. But cheddar?? This was breaking all the rules. It inspired me to be daring as well. “Can I get a Cheddar, Tomato, Vinegar, and PEPPERONI on a roll?” And life was never the same.
When I was pregnant with my first, the Glass Slipper, I ate this sandwich once a week, minimum. There was a real fun month in the third trimester where I feel like it was all I ate. When the Glass Slipper was deli meats age, I introduced turkey, ham, roast beef, and pepperoni. No prizes for guessing her favorite.
And that love of the Italian meats has been passed down to both her sisters. Which leads us to, “okay, great, you all love pepperoni, but what do you do with it?”
What don’t I do with it! Pepperoni is surprisingly versatile, especially if you’re motivated. If I can, I’m sticking a pepperoni on it.
So, the easiest option is: as a meat component, lunchables style. My kids straight up will eat pepperoni for lunch every day if I let them. I do not. But it’s a quick, easy, and delicious option.
One of the most requested dishes for family movie night is Pizzadillas. Here is how I make those: toss a few pepperoni slices in a pan on low-medium heat. Let them get a little crispy. Meanwhile, spread a thin layer of marinara sauce of the insides of two tortillas. On one tortilla, layer shredded mozzarella and the crispy pepperonis. Top with the second tortillas. Plop that in the pan, and let it cook in the released oil from the pepperoni. 3-5 minutes on each side, depending on your stovetop and crispy tortillas preferences. Serve with marinara for dipping. *Chef’s Kiss.* I usually use four pepperoni slices per dilla, so if I make one for each family member and then a bonus one to share if anyone is still hungry, that’s a half a pound of pepperoni, gone in one meal.
The other thing we use pepperoni for is Stuffed Crescent Rolls. For this you need pepperoni, mozzarella string cheese, and Crescent Rolls. After you unroll your crescents, spread a very, VERY thin layer of marinara sauce. Then place a pepperoni slice in the center, trimming the pepperoni so it does not exceed the border of the crescent rolls. Then, take 1/2 to 3/4 of a string cheese (depending on size of your crescent) and place it at the widest end of the crescent. Roll the crescent/pepperoni around the cheese. Place on a tray and bake per regular instructions.
My girls have very much been into Toaster Pizza lately. Or as I think of it, Quarantine Pizza! Spread some marinara and mozzarella on a slice of toast. Top with a pepperoni slice. Throw it in the toaster oven for a quick bite.
And if all else fails, you can always go back to basics. Behold, a Cheddar, Tomato, Vinegar, and Pepperoni on whole wheat. Or, as my girls call it, “The Mama Sandwich.”
- Boar’s Head Pepperoni, .75 lb-$7.12.
- Apps I’ll submit to: Fetch Rewards, CoinOut
Total Budget: $99.48
Total Spent: $101.27
Deducted from Next Week: $1.79
What do you use your pepperoni for? What deli meat is the star in your house? Share your best meal ideas down below!
Kristen B. is wife to the best Prince around, mama to the spunkiest little princesses, and lover of all things Disney. She started her savings journey five years ago and is now dedicated to making her family’s wishes come true one coupon at a time. She is so excited to take her love of saving to the next level and share her journey with you! Click here to catch up on Kristen’s Savings and join in on your own savings adventure!