Description
Recreate the nostalgic taste of school cafeteria-style pizza with this easy-to-make recipe. Featuring a soft, chewy crust made with all-purpose flour and powdered milk, this pizza is topped with a flavorful tomato sauce seasoned with Italian spices and topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Customize with your favorite toppings like pepperoni or green peppers and enjoy a classic, comforting meal perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 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
Sauce Ingredients
- 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
- Prepare the Dough: Combine warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast in a small bowl. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating that the yeast is activated.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, powdered milk, and salt. Then add the yeast mixture and olive oil to the dry ingredients.
- Knead the Dough: Knead the dough for 8 to 10 minutes on a floured surface or in the bowl until it becomes smooth, elastic, and no longer sticky.
- Let the Dough Rise: Lightly grease a large bowl and place the kneaded dough inside. Cover it with a clean cloth or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until the dough has doubled in size.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine the tomato sauce with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 5 minutes to meld the flavors, then remove from heat and let it cool.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) to ensure it reaches the ideal temperature for baking the pizza.
- Roll Out Dough: On a floured surface, roll the dough out to fit your rectangular or round pizza pan, forming an even crust.
- Assemble the Pizza: Spread the prepared tomato sauce evenly over the rolled-out dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan evenly on top. Add any optional toppings such as pepperoni or diced green peppers.
- Bake the Pizza: Place the assembled pizza in the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the crust turns golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and melted.
- Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven, let it cool slightly, then slice and serve warm for the perfect nostalgic cafeteria-style pizza experience.
Notes
- For a crispier crust, bake the dough for 3-5 minutes before adding the sauce and toppings.
- Powdered milk in the dough adds tenderness and mimics the texture of classic school pizza crust.
- Adjust toppings based on personal preference to recreate other cafeteria favorites.
- Use fresh yeast or active dry yeast interchangeably but ensure proper activation time.
- Letting the sauce cool before spreading helps prevent the dough from getting soggy.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
