Description
School cafeteria pizza brings nostalgic comfort with its classic crispy crust and melted cheese blend. Reminiscent of childhood lunches, this simple recipe delivers delicious memories you can recreate at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients (Crust):
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup instant non-fat dry milk powder
- 1 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Liquid Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups warm water (about 110°F/43°C)
Preparation and Pan Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon shortening (for greasing the pan)
- 1 ½ tablespoons cornmeal (for dusting the pan)
Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 ⅓ cups pizza sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Cheese and Topping Ingredients:
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Optional: pepperoni slices
- Optional: cooked ground beef
- Optional: diced bell peppers
- Optional: other preferred toppings
Instructions
- Create a versatile dough mixture by blending flour, dry milk powder, sugar, yeast, and salt in a spacious mixing vessel. Introduce warm water and vegetable oil, stirring until a cohesive, slightly tacky batter emerges. Allow the mixture to rest under a clean cloth for 20 minutes, enabling yeast activation and flavor development.
- Heat the oven to a robust 475F (246C). Thoroughly coat a half-sheet pan with shortening, then dust evenly with cornmeal to prevent sticking and add a subtle textural crunch.
- Transfer the rested dough onto the prepared baking surface. Gently manipulate the dough with fingertips or a spatula, spreading it uniformly across the entire pan. If the dough proves challenging to handle, lightly oil hands to minimize adhesion. Allow an additional 10-minute resting period before pre-baking the crust for 8-10 minutes until it sets but maintains a pale complexion.
- Extract the partially baked crust from the oven. Distribute pizza sauce across the surface, maintaining a narrow perimeter around the edges. Generously layer shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Incorporate any preferred additional toppings for personalized flavor enhancement.
- Reintroduce the pizza to the oven, continuing baking for 10-15 minutes. Monitor until the cheese transforms into a molten, bubbling layer and the crust achieves a delicate golden hue.
- Carefully remove the pizza from the oven, allowing a brief cooling interval. Slice into classic rectangular portions reminiscent of traditional school cafeteria style. Serve immediately while warm and inviting.
Notes
- Achieve the perfect dough consistency by adjusting water slightly if it feels too dry or wet, ensuring a smooth, slightly sticky texture that spreads easily.
- Enhance flavor by experimenting with different cheese blends like adding cheddar or provolone alongside mozzarella for a more complex taste profile.
- Prevent sticky dough by using oil-coated hands or a spatula when spreading, making the process smoother and more manageable during preparation.
- Create gluten-free alternatives by substituting regular flour with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend, maintaining similar texture and taste for those with dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 40
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg