Description
This recipe recreates the classic, nostalgic school cafeteria-style pizza with a soft, chewy crust made from scratch dough, a flavorful homemade tomato sauce seasoned with Italian herbs, and a generous topping of melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Optional toppings like pepperoni or diced green peppers can be added for extra flavor. Perfect for a comforting family meal reminiscent of childhood lunches.
Ingredients
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 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, whisk together the all-purpose flour, powdered milk, and salt. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil to the dry ingredients.
- Knead the Dough: Knead the mixture by hand or with a stand mixer for 8–10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm area for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
- Prepare the Sauce: While the dough rises, combine tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a small saucepan. Simmer gently for 5 minutes, then remove from heat and allow to cool.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Shape the Dough: Roll out the risen dough on a lightly floured surface to fit a rectangular or pizza pan.
- Assemble the Pizza: Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese evenly on top. Add optional toppings like pepperoni or diced green peppers if desired.
- Bake the Pizza: Place the assembled pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
- Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven, slice it into portions, and serve warm for a nostalgic and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Ensure the water temperature for the yeast is warm but not hot to avoid killing the yeast.
- You can substitute powdered milk with regular milk but adjust flour amounts slightly if needed.
- Feel free to customize toppings based on preference.
- For a crispier crust, prebake the rolled dough for 5 minutes before adding toppings.
- This recipe makes a thick, soft crust similar to traditional cafeteria pizza; roll thinner if preferred.
