Homemade School Cafeteria Pizza
Bring back the nostalgia with this Homemade School Cafeteria Pizza! Featuring a thick, fluffy crust that’s both crispy and tender, this recipe is a delightful throwback to childhood lunchroom favorites. Topped with gooey mozzarella cheese and customizable toppings, it’s the perfect dish for family dinners or a fun cooking project with the kids. The unique batter-like dough and ease of preparation make it a must-try for pizza lovers of all ages.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon shortening
- 1½ tablespoons cornmeal
- 1 0.25-ounce packet yeast
- 1⅔ cups warm water
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup instant non-fat dry milk powder
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1½ teaspoons oil
- 1⅓ cups pizza sauce or to taste
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese or to taste
- Your favorite pizza toppings
Instructions
Preheat and Prepare the Pan:
- Preheat your oven to 475°F. Grease a half-sheet pan with 1 tablespoon of shortening and sprinkle with cornmeal to prevent sticking and add a slight crunch.
Activate the Yeast:
- Dissolve the yeast in warm water in a stand mixer. Let it stand for 4-5 minutes until it becomes foamy.
Make the Dough:
- Add the flour, dry milk powder, sugar, salt, and oil to the yeast mixture. Using the whisk attachment, mix for about 10 minutes. The dough may appear lumpy—this is normal.
Spread and Rest:
- Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Let it rest for 20 minutes to allow the dough to rise and become fluffy.
Par-Bake the Crust:
- Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 10 minutes to give it a sturdy base.
Add Sauce and Toppings:
- Remove the crust from the oven. Spread pizza sauce evenly over the crust, then add your desired toppings and generously sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
Final Bake:
- Return the pizza to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and begins to brown.
Slice and Serve:
- Remove from the oven, slice into pieces, and enjoy this nostalgic treat!