Description
Craving a school pizza recipe that’s easy and tasty? Follow these 7 simple steps to recreate a classic favorite that everyone will love! Discover now!
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 package (2¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¾ cup warm water (110°F/45°C)
For the Sauce:
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Toppings:
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (the low-moisture part-skim variety works best for that authentic pull)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (the secret to that orange-tinted cafeteria look!)
- Optional: cooked ground beef or turkey seasoned with Italian spices
Instructions
Mix the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt together in a large bowl until evenly combined. Add the olive oil and warm water, then mix until a soft dough forms. If the dough feels too sticky, add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time. If it’s too dry, add a splash more water.
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic. My 6-year-old Lila loves helping with this part—it’s like playing with edible Play-Doh!
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let rise in a warm place for about 45 minutes, or until doubled in size.
While the dough rises, prepare your sauce by combining all sauce ingredients in a small saucepan. Let it simmer over low heat for around 10 minutes, stirring now and then to keep it from sticking. The slow simmer helps develop that deep, slightly sweet tomato flavor that’s essential for an authentic school pizza recipe.
Remove from heat and let cool slightly. The sauce will thicken as it cools, reaching that perfect spreadable consistency.
Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). This high heat is crucial for getting that crispy bottom with a chewy interior!
Grease a 10×15-inch baking sheet with cooking spray or brush with olive oil. For extra authenticity, use a sheet pan with a rim—just like those industrial cafeteria trays!
After the dough has risen, gently punch it down to release any trapped air. Transfer it to your prepared baking sheet and use your fingers to press and stretch it to fit the pan. Create a slight rim around the edges to hold in all that saucy, cheesy goodness.
Pro tip: For the most authentic school pizza recipe texture, don’t roll the dough with a rolling pin—the hand-pressing method gives you that signature uneven thickness that contributes to the nostalgic experience!
Evenly spread the sauce over the dough, making sure to leave a small border around the edges for the crust. There’s no need to be precious here—cafeteria pizza wasn’t known for its artisanal presentation!
Next comes the signature cheese blend: spread the mozzarella cheese first, then sprinkle the cheddar on top. If you’re adding meat, distribute it evenly over the cheese.
Bake in your preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese has that perfect cafeteria melt—slightly browned in spots but ultimately gooey and stretchy.
One thing I’ve learned through many pizza nights: every oven is different, so start checking at the 12-minute mark to ensure your school pizza doesn’t go from “perfect cafeteria recreation” to “fire drill memory.”
Allow the pizza to cool for about 5 minutes before cutting. This resting time lets the cheese set just enough to avoid the first-slice mess but still maintains that melty stretch when you pull a slice away.
Cut into rectangular pieces using a pizza wheel or kitchen scissors (just like they did in the cafeteria!) and serve warm.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 230
Keywords: school pizza recipe, cafeteria pizza, nostalgic recipes, school lunch recreation, homemade cafeteria pizza, sheet pan pizza, rectangular pizza, school breakfast pizza recipe, quantity recipes for school food service pizza, kid-friendly pizza