The Ultimate School Pizza Recipe: A Nostalgic Childhood Favorite

Crafting homemade pizza with the ultimate school pizza recipe brings pure joy to weeknight dinners.

This delightful dish combines classic flavors that students and parents adore.

Simple ingredients create a mouthwatering meal everyone craves.

the recipe transforms basic kitchen staples into a crowd-pleasing dinner.

Crispy crust, melted cheese, and your favorite toppings make this pizza irresistible.

Teens can easily master these steps and impress their families.

Gather your ingredients and let’s make pizza night unforgettable.

The Ultimate School Pizza Everyone Talks About

• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients or add personal favorite toppings like pepperoni, vegetables, or different cheese blends to make this school pizza uniquely yours.
• Master School Cafeteria Memories: Recreate the beloved childhood lunch experience with authentic flavors that transport you back to carefree school days, capturing that classic taste everyone remembers.
• Budget-Friendly Feast: Make a large sheet pan pizza that feeds multiple people without breaking the bank, perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings with friends.
• Simple Cooking Process: Follow straightforward steps that require minimal culinary skills, making this recipe accessible for home cooks of all experience levels, from beginners to seasoned chefs.

School Pizza Pantry Checklist For Every Baker

• Flour: The main dry ingredient that provides structure to the pizza crust.
• Powdered Milk: Adds richness and helps create a softer texture in the crust.
• Sugar: Helps activate the yeast and provides a subtle sweetness.
• Yeast: Essential for helping the crust rise and develop flavor.
• Salt: Enhances the overall taste of the pizza crust.
• Warm Water: Activates the yeast and helps bind the ingredients together.
• Vegetable Oil: Adds moisture and helps create a tender crust.

• Italian Sausage, Ground Beef: Hearty protein components that provide rich, savory flavor to the pizza.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Seasonings that enhance the meat's natural taste.

• Tomato Paste: Creates a thick, concentrated base for the pizza sauce.
• Olive Oil: Adds depth and richness to the sauce.
• Garlic: Provides a bold, aromatic flavor to the sauce.
• Oregano, Basil, Rosemary: Dried herbs that give the sauce a classic Italian pizza flavor profile.
• Water: Helps thin and blend the sauce ingredients.

• Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully and creates the classic stretchy, gooey pizza topping.

School Pizza Prep Steps For Busy Nights

Step 1: Kick Off The Oven

Fire up your oven to a blazing 475F (245C).

Grab an 18×13 inch sheet pan and give it a quick spray of cooking oil to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Magic Dough

• Flour
• Powdered milk
• Sugar
• Yeast
• Salt

Stir everything together.

Pour in warm water and vegetable oil, then mix until a soft, sticky dough emerges.

Step 3: Spread The Foundation

Use wet fingers or a spatula to stretch the dough across the pan.

Press it gently into every corner and edge.

Step 4: Quick Crust Warm-Up

Slide the pan into the hot oven for 8-10 minutes.

You want a light golden color, not a full bake.

Keep the oven running after removing the crust.

Step 5: Prepare Meaty Goodness

Sizzle Italian sausage and ground beef in a skillet.

Break up the meat, season with salt and pepper.

Drain any extra grease once cooked.

Step 6: Craft Sensational Sauce

• Tomato paste
• Water
• Olive oil
• Minced garlic
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Oregano
• Basil
• Rosemary

Simmer on medium-low heat for 20-30 minutes until it thickens slightly.

Step 7: Layer The Deliciousness

Spread sauce over the pre-baked crust.

Sprinkle the cooked meat evenly.

Cover everything with a generous layer of mozzarella cheese.

Step 8: Final Bake Blast

Return pizza to the oven for 8-10 minutes.

Watch for melted, bubbly cheese with golden spots.

Step 9: Slice And Celebrate

Let the pizza rest for 5 minutes.

Cut into squares and dig into this nostalgic lunch classic!

School Pizza Hacks To Make It Amazing

• Add a tablespoon of cornmeal to the dough for extra crispiness and a traditional school pizza feel.
• Let pizza sauce simmer longer or prepare a day ahead to develop richer, more complex taste profiles.
• Thoroughly drain cooked meat to prevent soggy crust and ensure crisp pizza bottom.
• Grate cheese fresh for better melting and more even distribution across the pizza surface.
• Watch pizza closely during final baking to prevent burning while getting that perfect golden-brown cheese and crust color.

New Styles For School Pizza Lovers

• Gluten-Free School Pizza: Replace wheat flour with a gluten-free blend using rice flour, cornstarch, and xanthan gum for a celiac-friendly version.
• Vegetarian School Pizza: Swap meat with roasted vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms, seasoned with Italian herbs for robust flavor.
• Low-Carb School Pizza: Create a cauliflower crust by ricing cauliflower, mixing with eggs and cheese, then topping with traditional pizza ingredients for a lighter alternative.
• Dairy-Free School Pizza: Use cashew cheese or vegan mozzarella substitute, ensuring the same melty texture and creamy consistency as traditional cheese.

Ultimate School Pizza Served Cafeteria-Style

• Pizza Party Platter: Create a fun pizza party spread by cutting the pizza into smaller squares and serving with various dipping sauces like ranch, marinara, or garlic aioli.
• Sidekick Salads: Pair the hearty pizza with crisp side salads like a classic Caesar or fresh garden mix to balance the rich, meaty flavors and add some green nutrition.
• Lunch Box Leftovers: Pack cold pizza squares in lunch boxes for kids or adults, making a delicious next-day meal that brings back nostalgic school lunch memories.
• Movie Night Munchies: Slice pizza into bite-sized pieces for perfect game night or movie watching snacks that everyone will love and easily share.

Storing School Pizza The Right Way

• Store any remaining pizza in an airtight container or tightly wrapped with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Slice the pizza into individual portions, wrap each piece in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months for quick future meals.
• Warm refrigerated pizza in a preheated oven at 350F (175C) for 8-10 minutes to restore crispy crust and melty cheese. Avoid microwave reheating to prevent soggy texture.
• Add a sprinkle of fresh herbs or a drizzle of olive oil after reheating to revive the pizza's original flavor and make it taste freshly baked.

FAQs

• What type of yeast works best for this pizza dough?

Active dry yeast or instant yeast are perfect. Ensure the yeast is fresh and the water is warm (not hot) to activate it properly without killing the yeast.

• Can I make the pizza dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Let it come to room temperature before spreading in the pan.

• How do I prevent the dough from sticking to the pan?

Lightly grease the sheet pan with cooking spray or oil. Using wet fingers or a spatula when spreading the sticky dough also helps prevent sticking.

The Ultimate School Pizza Recipe

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4.6 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

School Pizza brings nostalgic memories of lunchtime comfort to life, blending crispy crust with melted cheese and classic toppings. Generations of students will savor this simple yet delicious meal that connects you to childhood flavors and shared moments.

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Ingredients

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Pizza Crust:

• 2.23 cups (523 ml) all-purpose flour
• 0.75 cup (177 ml) powdered milk
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) sugar
• 1 packet quick-rise yeast
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) salt
• 1.5 cups (355 ml) warm water (110-115°F)
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) vegetable oil

Meat Topping:

• 0.5 pound (227 grams) Italian sausage, crumbled
• 0.5 pound (227 grams) ground chuck (beef)
• 0.5 teaspoon (2.5 ml) black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt

Cheese and Sauce Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (227 grams) block mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 6 ounce (170 grams) can tomato paste
• 1.5 cups (355 ml) water
• 0.33 cup (79 ml) olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) salt
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) black pepper
• 0.5 tablespoon (7.5 ml) dried oregano
• 0.5 tablespoon (7.5 ml) dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoon (2.5 ml) dried rosemary

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 475F (245C) and lightly coat an 18×13 inch baking sheet with cooking spray or oil.
2. Mix dry ingredients (flour, powdered milk, sugar, yeast, salt) in a large bowl. Create a soft, sticky dough by incorporating warm water and vegetable oil, stirring until well combined.
3. Spread the sticky dough across the prepared pan using wet fingers or a spatula, ensuring complete coverage of the sheet, including edges and corners.
4. Partially bake the crust for 8-10 minutes until it just begins to turn golden. Remove from oven but maintain temperature.
5. Meanwhile, cook Italian sausage and ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Crumble meat, season with salt and pepper, and drain excess fat.
6. Craft the pizza sauce by combining tomato paste, water, olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, and herbs in a saucepan. Simmer on medium-low heat for 20-30 minutes until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally.
7. Distribute pizza sauce evenly over the pre-baked crust, leaving a small border. Layer the cooked meat mixture across the sauce, then generously cover with shredded mozzarella cheese.
8. Bake for an additional 8-10 minutes until cheese melts completely and develops golden spots.
9. Allow pizza to rest for 5 minutes after removing from oven. Slice into 3-4 inch squares and serve warm, capturing the classic school lunch pizza experience.

Notes

• Make ahead sauce deepens flavors by letting ingredients meld overnight in the refrigerator, creating a more complex and rich tomato base.
• Control dough stickiness by keeping fingers or spatula slightly wet when spreading, ensuring even coverage without frustrating texture challenges.
• Customize protein options by substituting ground meat with vegetarian crumbles, turkey, or plant-based alternatives for dietary preferences.
• Drain meat thoroughly to prevent excess grease from making the pizza soggy, maintaining a crisp and appetizing crust texture.

• Prep Time: 35 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 312
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg