This Is Why You Shouldn’t Order a Pizza in a Snowstorm
Updated: Dec. 30, 2020
Consensus among Taste of Home staffers says ordering pizza delivery in a blizzard is a mistake. Here's why.
Ready for an unpopular opinion? You shouldn’t order food delivery in a snowstorm. Or a sleet storm. Or a hail storm. Or a hurricane. Or in any extreme, slick or otherwise dangerous weather.
We get it: The temptation is real. You certainly don’t want to leave your house—why not just order delivery? You can stay in your pj’s while you wait for comfort food to arrive at your doorstep. All of us have done it, and the convenience often feels worth the cost.
It’s a Safety Thing, Mostly
Here’s the thing, though: If you don’t want to venture out into the weather, or if you don’t feel safe on the roads, why should you ask someone else to take the risk for you? Many delivery drivers (though certainly not all of them) are young drivers, without tons of experience. Or they may drive older cars without four-wheel drive. Even if your delivery driver is experienced with inclement conditions, he or she is still sharing a road with other drivers in slippery, wet or low-visibility weather. Meaning, the driver is basically risking his life (or at least his bumpers) to bring you some pizza.
Staying in? Try these easy pizza recipes.
But Quality Matters, Too
Still not convinced? Here’s the other thing: Your food is going to take forever to get to your house. It’ll almost certainly be cold when it arrives. Cold pizza + stressed-out delivery guy = not worth it.
Rather than order pizza, why not turn on the oven (and make the house extra cozy) to bake a frozen pizza? We did a taste test of major brands to find the best frozen pizza.
Or if what you’re really craving is restaurant takeout, these copycat recipes are uncannily good.
Inspired by: Stuffed Pizza
I had my first stuffed pizza when I attended college near Chicago. I was amazed to see pizza well over an inch thick, with topping on the inside! When I served this version to my family, there are no leftovers. —Nancy Gilmour of Sumner, Iowa
Inspired by: Calzones
Leftover meat sauce makes a hearty calzone that tastes like it’s made from scratch. Top the calzones with a sprinkling of Parmesan. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Inspired by: Hawaiian Pizza
Our family never quite liked the taste of canned pizza sauce, so one time I tried mixing some barbecue sauce into spaghetti sauce to add some sweetness. I’ve made my pizzas with this special and easy sauce ever since, and my family loves it! —Tonya Schieler, Carmel, Indiana
Inspired by: Garlic Knots
People go wild over this golden, garlicky loaf whenever I serve it. There’s intense flavor in every bite. —Carol Shields, Summerville, Pennsylvania
Inspired by: New York-Style Pizza
My family love this pizza crust, and this is our go-to recipe. It's healthier and less expensive than delivery and taste so much better. —Theresa Rohde, Scottville, Michigan
Inspired by: Italian Breadsticks
Present these delicious breadsticks alongside an Italian favorite like lasagna or spaghetti. They're an attractive and edible addition to the table setting! —Carol Wolfer, Lebanon, Oregon
Inspired by: Thai Chicken Pizza
Contributor Gigi Miller, from Stoughton, Wisconsin, provided a fabulous recipe for sweet and saucy chicken thighs that she serves with rice. We took it a step further, and used the chicken and sauce to make this restaurant-inspired Thai pizza. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Inspired by: Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza
Since I live near Chicago, I've managed to sample more than my share of deep-dish pizzas. This recipe lets you re-create the best of my town—right in your town! —Lynn Hamilton, Naperville, Illinois
Inspired by: Meat-Lovers Pizza
My grandma made the tastiest snacks for us when we stayed the night at her farm. Her wonderful pizza, hot from the oven, was covered with cheese and had fragrant herbs in the crust. Now this pizza is frequently a meal for my husband and me and our family. —Michele Madden, Washington Court House, Ohio
Inspired by: Breaded Mushrooms
Deep-fried breaded mushrooms served on a bed of spaghetti sauce are a sure winner for any party. Get ready to hand out the recipe! —Barbara McCalley, Allison Park, Pennsylvania
Inspired by: Stuffed-Crust Pizza
String cheese is the secret to success for this popular stuffed-crust pizza. Prebaking the crust crust before you add the toppings assures that the cheese inside will melt completely.—Terri Gonzalez, Roswell, New Mexico
Inspired by: Cheesy Breadsticks
We love the breadsticks at our local pizza joint. Now I can get that same gooey-from-the-oven treat, but I never have to leave the house. —Heather Bates, Athens, Maine
Inspired by: Veggie Pizza
A wonderful crust layered with herbed tomato sauce and toppings encourages my family of six to dig right in to this low-fat main course. —Denise Warner, Red Lodge, Montana
Inspired by: Green Salad
When a friend shared this salad recipe, it had a fancy French name. Our children can never remember it, so they say, "Mom, please make 'that good salad.'" Now our friends and neighbors request it for potluck dinners. It really is one of the best salad recipes. —Betty Lamb, Orem, Utah
Inspired by: Pesto Pizza
When my kids were really small, they were reluctant to eat their veggies and I had to get creative. I figured that because pesto is already green, it would be the perfect place for some spinach. The pizza was a big hit. —Janet Burbach, North Platte, Nebraska
Inspired by: Mozzarella Sticks
You won't believe something this easy could taste so fantastic! Crunchy outside, gooey cheese inside, these mozzarella sticks are a treat all ages will love. Kids could help wrap them, too. —Shirley Warren, Thiensville, Wisconsin
