Description
This School Cafeteria-Style Pizza recipe delivers a nostalgic, classic pizza experience reminiscent of those beloved cafeteria meals. Featuring a hand-kneaded dough made with all-purpose flour and powdered milk for a tender crust, topped with a seasoned tomato sauce and generous layers of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Customize it with your favorite toppings like pepperoni or green peppers, then bake until golden and bubbling perfect for a comforting homemade meal.
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: In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, powdered milk, and salt. Then add the foamed yeast mixture and olive oil to the dry ingredients.
- Knead the Dough: Knead the combined ingredients for 8–10 minutes on a floured surface until the dough is smooth and elastic, ensuring a proper gluten development for the crust.
- Let the Dough Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small saucepan over low heat, simmer the tomato sauce with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt and pepper to taste for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow the sauce to cool slightly.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) to preheat while you assemble the pizza.
- Roll Out Dough: Roll the risen dough on a floured surface to fit your rectangular or pizza pan evenly.
- Assemble the Pizza: Spread the prepared sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a border around the edges. Sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses evenly over the sauce. Add any optional toppings like pepperoni or diced vegetables.
- Bake the Pizza: Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the crust turns golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
- Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven, let it cool for a few minutes, then slice and serve warm to enjoy the nostalgic cafeteria-style flavors.
Notes
- Powdered milk in the dough helps create a tender crust similar to school cafeteria-style pizza.
- Make sure the water temperature for activating yeast is around 110°F to avoid killing the yeast.
- Feel free to customize toppings to your preference, keeping classic toppings for the authentic experience.
- Letting the dough rise properly is key to achieving a fluffy and soft crust.
- Preheating the oven ensures an evenly cooked crust and bubbly cheese.
