Description
This School Cafeteria Pizza takes you back to childhood with its soft, slightly chewy crust, simple tomato sauce, and gooey cheese topping. Perfect for a family meal or as a fun, budget-friendly recipe to make at home, it’s just like the pizza slices served in schools across America. Customize the toppings to make it your own!
Ingredients
Units
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For the Dough
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 1/4 cups warm water (110°F)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
For the Sauce
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
For the Toppings
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Optional: pepperoni slices, diced bell peppers, or mushrooms
Instructions
Make the Dough
- In a large bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
- Add olive oil, flour, and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix until combined.
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 8-10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
2. Prepare the Sauce
- In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine tomato sauce, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir and simmer for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
3. Assemble the Pizza
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Grease a large rectangular baking sheet or pizza pan.
- Roll out the dough into a rectangle or circle, about ½ inch thick, and transfer it to the prepared pan.
- Spread the sauce evenly over the dough.
- Sprinkle mozzarella and cheddar cheese over the sauce. Add any additional toppings if desired.
4. Bake the Pizza
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
- Let the pizza cool for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- For a crispier crust, pre-bake the dough for 5 minutes before adding toppings.
- Substitute cheeses or add your favorite toppings for variety.
- The dough can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours.