Pot Pies

• Pot pies are budget friendly and easy to make. Using a classic recipe that combines your choice of meat, vegetables, sauce and flaky crust made from pie dough, you can make a meal that's ready to eat in a short order. For a complete meal, serve with a tossed green salad.
  
  

Pigs in a Blanket

• Pigs in a blanket, hot dogs wrapped in dough and baked, are bite-sized treats that work as appetizers or snacks. Cut your favorite brand of hot dog or sausage into bite-sized pieces, wrap them in a small triangle of pie dough and bake in the oven. Consider adding a small piece of cheese to the dough before wrapping. Serve with ketchup and mustard.
  
  

Sugar Cookies

• Sugar cookies are a sweet way to use leftover pie dough -- or an entire batch. Roll out the dough, spread softened butter lightly over the surface, sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar, and roll into a log. Slice the log into one-inch pieces and bake. The result will be light and flaky.
  
  

Empanadas

• Empanadas are turnovers that can be sweet or savory. To make a savory chicken empanada, use ready-made pie dough as the pastry. Sautee cooked chicken, peppers, onions and mushrooms in olive oil and add salt and pepper to taste. Roll out the dough, use a round medium-sized cookie cutter and cut enough circles for your ingredients. Fill each circle with a tablespoon or two of chicken filling, moisten the edges with a bit of water, seal and bake. The pie dough produces a flaky outer crust for your empanandas.