Cheesy School Cafeteria Pizza Recipe Throwback
School cafeteria pizza brings back waves of nostalgia for anyone who cherishes those childhood lunch memories.
This classic comfort food captures the hearts of students everywhere with its simple, hearty flavors.
Crispy edges, melted cheese, and a perfectly seasoned sauce create a delightful combination that transports you back to those bustling lunchroom moments.
The recipe is surprisingly easy to recreate, using basic ingredients found in most kitchens.
Thick, chewy dough provides the perfect foundation for a generous layer of toppings that kids and adults alike will devour.
No fancy techniques or professional skills are required to whip up this beloved lunchtime favorite.
Dive into this recipe and relive those treasured school lunch memories one slice at a time.
Fun Ways To Serve School Cafeteria Pizza
Best Way To Store School Cafeteria Pizza
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
Total Time: 50-55 minutes
Calories: 220 kcal
Servings: 39
What You’ll Need For School Cafeteria Pizza
For The Pizza Crust Base:For Liquid and Fat Components:For Topping and Finishing:Kitchen Tools For School Cafeteria Pizza
How To Make School Cafeteria Pizza Step By Step
Mix flour, milk powder, sugar, yeast, and salt in a large bowl. Pour warm water and vegetable oil into the dry ingredients, creating a slightly sticky batter. Cover and let the dough relax and develop flavor for 20 minutes.
Warm up the oven to a blazing 475°F. Coat a half-sheet pan generously with shortening and dust with cornmeal for that classic crispy bottom.
Spread the rested dough across the pan, using oiled fingers to stretch it evenly. Give the dough a quick 10-minute rest before sliding it into the oven. Bake until the crust sets but doesn’t brown, about 8-10 minutes.
Pull out the pre-baked crust and lavish it with pizza sauce, keeping a small border. Blanket the surface with mozzarella cheese and sprinkle on any favorite toppings.
Return the pizza to the oven and bake until the cheese transforms into a bubbly, golden landscape and the edges turn crispy, roughly 10-15 minutes.
Let the pizza cool briefly, then cut into classic rectangular slices just like the lunch ladies used to do. Enjoy your trip down memory lane!
Smart Tips For School Cafeteria Pizza
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Mouthwatering School Cafeteria Pizza Recipe
- Total Time: 50-55 minutes
- Yield: 39 1x
Description
School lunch pizza delivers nostalgic comfort straight from childhood memories. Crispy crust, tangy sauce, and melted cheese combine for a classic American lunch that connects generations of students.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups warm water (about 110°F/43°C)
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 ⅓ cups pizza sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- ¾ cup instant non-fat dry milk powder
- 2 tbsps granulated sugar
- 1 ¼ tsps active dry yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 ½ tsps vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp shortening (for greasing the pan)
- 1 ½ tbsps cornmeal (for dusting the pan)
- Optional: pepperoni slices
- Optional: cooked ground beef
- Optional: diced bell peppers
- Optional: other preferred toppings
Instructions
- Dough Preparation: Combine flour, dry milk powder, sugar, yeast, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Pour warm water and vegetable oil, mixing until a cohesive, slightly sticky dough forms. Let the mixture rest, covered, for 20 minutes to activate yeast and develop flavors.
- Pan Preparation: Preheat the oven to 475F (246C). Generously grease a half-sheet pan with shortening and sprinkle cornmeal to prevent sticking and add a crispy texture.
- Dough Spreading: Spread the rested dough across the prepared pan, using fingertips or a spatula to ensure even coverage. If the dough sticks, lightly oil hands. Allow the dough to rest for an additional 10 minutes, then pre-bake for 8-10 minutes until set but still pale.
- Topping Application: Remove the partially baked crust and spread pizza sauce, leaving a small border around the edges. Lavishly cover with shredded mozzarella cheese and add desired toppings for personalized flavor.
- Final Baking and Serving: Return the pizza to the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes until the cheese melts and bubbles, and the crust turns golden brown. Remove from the oven, let cool briefly, then slice into classic rectangular pieces. Serve hot and enjoy the nostalgic school cafeteria-style pizza.
Notes
- Activate Yeast Perfectly: Ensure water temperature is between 110-115°F to activate yeast without killing it, creating a soft, rising dough.
- Prevent Sticky Dough: Lightly oil hands and work surface when stretching dough to prevent excessive sticking and maintain smooth texture.
- Customize Toppings Strategically: Use lightweight toppings to avoid weighing down the crust, ensuring crispy and evenly baked pizza base.
- Control Moisture Levels: Pat wet ingredients like vegetables dry before adding to prevent soggy crust and maintain ideal crunchiness.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 39
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
Marcus Foley
Food Critic & Kitchen Coach
Expertise
Recipe Testing and Troubleshooting; Time-Saving Kitchen Hacks; Global Flavor Exploration; Engaging Food Writing and Honest Reviews.
Education
Institute of Culinary Education (ICE), New York, NY
Marcus Foley, based in Atlanta, GA, is a friendly food expert who makes cooking fun and simple.
With hands-on training from the Institute of Culinary Education and years of tasting everything from street food to fine dining, he shares easy kitchen hacks, global flavor ideas, and step-by-step recipes that turn kitchen mishaps into delicious surprises.