Mum-of-four and home hack influencer, Casey Major-Bunce, has unveiled a creative solution for school lunchboxes that combines affordability with taste. Known for her practical home and life tips, Major-Bunce has developed a delicious snack—her “pizza cups”—that costs just 30p to make and takes only nine minutes to prepare.
These pizza cups have quickly become a favourite in her household, offering an appealing option for children’s lunches or as a quick snack. The recipe features a clever use of bread that is nearing its expiry, transforming it into a delectable treat with minimal effort. Major-Bunce herself has remarked that she often prefers making these snacks over cooking dinner, highlighting their simplicity.
To create the pizza cups, Major-Bunce begins by cutting circles from slices of bread using a cookie cutter. She then presses these circles into cupcake trays with a rolling pin. The next step involves mixing her preferred Italian herbs with melted butter, which she brushes onto the inside of the bread cups. The cups are then baked at 170°C for approximately three minutes until lightly toasted.
After toasting, Major-Bunce adds a spoonful of tomato puree or pizza sauce, followed by a slice of cheese. She finishes the assembly with additional sauce and a sprinkle of grated cheese before returning them to the oven for another six minutes until they turn golden brown. While she uses half of a Babybel cheese in her cups, any cheese with good melting properties, such as mozzarella, works well.
Major-Bunce shared her recipe on her Instagram account, @majormumhacks, where followers have enthusiastically responded. Many have expressed excitement about trying the recipe themselves, with comments such as, “These look fab,” and “My kids would love these!!! Yum!”
Cost-Effective Meal Prep Strategies
In addition to her pizza cups, Major-Bunce has also shared her budgeting tips for preparing school snacks. Recently, she revealed a strategy that has saved her approximately £900 annually. By utilizing items from the discount store B&M, she emphasizes efficiency in meal preparation, stating, “This is how I prep packed lunch every single week. It keeps me organised but also sanity-saving.”
She spends just £2 for eight “Dip Pots” from B&M, which she fills with a variety of snacks, including rice pudding and custard. Major-Bunce spends around 20 minutes every Sunday organizing these meal components, allowing her to serve her children the same quality snacks as commercial brands without the hefty price tag.
Her homemade versions of popular lunchbox items, such as turkey and cheese shapes paired with crackers, cost her only 66p compared to the £1.60 for commercial alternatives. Any leftovers are creatively repurposed into toasties or shared with family pets, reducing waste.
Followers have praised her money-saving methods, with one commenting, “Game changer!” and another expressing excitement about the potential savings. Many highlighted the financial burden of purchasing pre-packaged snacks, with one stating, “Love this, I spend a fortune on Lunchables.”
By sharing her budget-friendly tips and recipes, Casey Major-Bunce continues to inspire parents worldwide, demonstrating that nutritious and appealing meals for children don’t have to come at a high cost.
