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School Cafeteria-Style Pizza Recipe

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4.1 from 61 reviews

  • Author: admin
  • Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Description

This School Cafeteria-Style Pizza recipe recreates the nostalgic, classic pizza often enjoyed in school lunchrooms. Featuring a soft, homemade dough enriched with powdered milk, a simple seasoned tomato sauce, and a melty blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, this pizza is the perfect make-at-home comfort food. Easily customizable with your favorite toppings, it offers a delightful balance of flavors and a chewy crust baked to golden perfection.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough

  • 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup powdered milk
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
  • 1 cup warm water (110°F)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the Sauce

  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Toppings

  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Optional: Pepperoni, diced green peppers, or other favorite toppings

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dough: In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Allow the mixture to sit for 5–10 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating that the yeast is activated.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, powdered milk, and salt to evenly distribute the ingredients.
  3. Combine Dough Ingredients: Pour the yeast mixture and olive oil into the dry ingredients. Stir to form a cohesive dough.
  4. Knead the Dough: Knead the dough on a floured surface or in the bowl for 8–10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic, which develops the gluten structure for a tender crust.
  5. Let the Dough Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
  6. Prepare the Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Simmer gently for 5 minutes to meld the flavors, then remove from heat to cool.
  7. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) to prepare for baking.
  8. Shape the Dough: Roll out the risen dough to fit a rectangular or pizza pan, ensuring an even thickness.
  9. Assemble the Pizza: Spread the cooled tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Add any desired toppings such as pepperoni or diced green peppers.
  10. Bake the Pizza: Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 12–15 minutes until the crust turns golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
  11. Serve: Remove from the oven, let it cool slightly, slice, and serve warm to enjoy a classic school cafeteria pizza experience at home.

Notes

  • The powdered milk in the dough adds richness and enhances the softness of the crust.
  • Ensure the water used to activate the yeast is warm but not hot to avoid killing the yeast.
  • Allowing the dough to fully rise is essential for a light and airy crust similar to cafeteria pizza.
  • Feel free to customize toppings to your preference for a personalized pizza.
  • If you like a crispier crust, you can par-bake the crust for 5 minutes before adding toppings.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

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Find it online: https://mettehelbak.com/school-cafeteria-style-pizza-recipe/