The School Pizza Recipe

This homemade school pizza recipe brings back memories of delicious, cheesy pizza served in the cafeteria. The hearty crust, savory meat filling, and zesty sauce make for a flavorful combination that’s sure to satisfy. Whether you’re looking to recreate those school days or just craving a hearty, cheesy pizza, this recipe is a must-try!

Ingredients

For the Crust:

2 2/3 cups flour

3/4 cup powdered milk

2 tablespoons sugar

1 package quick-rise yeast

1 teaspoon salt

1 2/3 cups warm water (110-115°F)

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

For the Filling:

1/2 lb Italian sausage

1/2 lb ground chuck

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 (8 oz) block mozzarella cheese

For the Sauce (Make the Day Before):

1 (6 oz) can tomato paste

1 1/2 cups water

1/3 cup olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pepper

1/2 tablespoon dried oregano

1/2 tablespoon dried basil

1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary

Directions

1. Prepare the Crust:

Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C).

Spray an 18×13 sheet pan with cooking spray and line it with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, powdered milk, sugar, yeast, and salt. Whisk together to blend.

In a separate container, combine the warm water and vegetable oil. Pour it into the dry ingredients.

Stir with a wooden spoon until the batter forms. Don’t worry about lumps; just make sure there are no dry spots.

Spread the dough onto the sheet pan using your fingertips. If it’s not cooperating, let it rest for 5 minutes and try again.

Bake the crust alone for 8-10 minutes until it begins to firm up. Remove from the oven and set aside.

2. Prepare the Filling:

Brown the Italian sausage and ground chuck in a skillet over medium heat. Add salt and pepper to taste. Break the meat into crumbles as it cooks. Once browned, drain any excess fat and set aside.

3. Make the Sauce (Prepare the Day Before):

In a saucepan, combine the tomato paste, water, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, basil, and rosemary.

Bring to a simmer over medium heat and stir occasionally for about 10-15 minutes until the flavors meld together. Set aside to cool and refrigerate overnight if you’re making it in advance.

4. Assemble the Pizza:

Spread a generous amount of the sauce over the partially baked crust.

Evenly sprinkle the cooked meats over the sauce.

Grate the mozzarella cheese and sprinkle it over the meats.

5. Bake the Pizza:

Return the assembled pizza to the oven and bake at 475°F for 8-10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and slightly browned.

6. Let it Cool and Serve:

Once baked, let the pizza stand for 5 minutes before slicing into squares or rectangles.

Serve and enjoy your homemade school pizza, just like you remember!

Tips for the Best School Pizza:

Let the dough rest: If the dough is hard to spread, let it rest for a few minutes to relax the gluten.

Make the sauce ahead of time: Making the sauce the day before enhances the flavors and saves time.

Cheese options: You can use a mix of mozzarella and cheddar cheese for extra flavor or experiment with other types of cheese.

Adding veggies: You can add sautéed vegetables like onions, peppers, or mushrooms for an added veggie boost.

Why You’ll Love This School Pizza:

This homemade pizza brings all the comforting flavors of cafeteria pizza, but made fresh and with love at home. The crispy, yet soft crust, savory meat filling, and rich, tangy tomato sauce combine to create the ultimate nostalgic pizza experience. Whether it’s for dinner, a party, or just a fun night with the family, this recipe is one that will always be a hit!

More Articles You Might Like