Description
This School Cafeteria Pizza recipe replicates the classic, chewy crust and simple toppings beloved by students nationwide. Featuring a soft, slightly sweet dough made with instant non-fat dry milk and baked in a sheet pan, this pizza offers an easy, crowd-pleasing meal perfect for a family dinner or group gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough and Crust
- 1 Tbsp Crisco shortening
- 1½ Tbsp cornmeal
- 1 (0.25-oz) packet of yeast
- 1⅔ cup warm water
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cups instant non-fat dry milk powder
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1½ tsp oil
Toppings
- 1⅓ cups pizza sauce, or to taste
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, or to taste
- Pizza toppings of your choice
Instructions
- Prepare the pan: Preheat your oven to 475ºF. Lightly oil a half sheet pan with 1 tablespoon of Crisco shortening, then sprinkle the pan evenly with 1½ tablespoons of cornmeal. Set this aside to prepare the dough.
- Activate the yeast: In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, dissolve 1 packet of yeast in 1⅔ cups of warm water. Let the mixture stand undisturbed for 4 to 5 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Mix the dough: Add to the yeast mixture 2½ cups all-purpose flour, ¾ cup instant non-fat dry milk powder, 2 tablespoons sugar, ¼ teaspoon salt, and 1½ teaspoons oil. Using the whisk attachment, mix on medium speed for about 10 minutes. Note that the batter will be lumpy and sticky, which is characteristic of this dough.
- Rest the dough: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared cornmeal-lined pan. Let it rest at room temperature for 20 minutes to allow the dough to rise and settle.
- Bake the crust: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake the crust for 10 minutes. This initial bake sets the crust and helps prevent sogginess once toppings are added.
- Add toppings: Remove the partially baked crust from the oven carefully. Spread about 1⅓ cups of pizza sauce evenly over the crust, then add your choice of toppings followed by 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese to your liking.
- Final bake: Return the pizza to the oven and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese has melted completely and begins to brown slightly, signaling that the pizza is ready to serve.
- Serve: Remove from oven, slice the pizza appropriately, and serve warm for best enjoyment.
Notes
- Warm water should be about 105°F to 110°F to effectively activate the yeast without killing it.
- If you prefer a crisper crust, you can bake the crust an extra 1-2 minutes during the first bake.
- This dough does not require kneading and is more of a batter consistency, which keeps preparation simple.
- Feel free to customize your pizza toppings based on dietary preferences or what’s available.
- Using non-fat dry milk powder helps achieve the classic soft texture and slightly sweet flavor common in school cafeteria pizzas.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
