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School Pizza

This nostalgic school pizza recipe is a throwback to the rectangular slices from your school cafeteria days. It features a slightly sweet crust, tangy tomato sauce, and a generous blend of mozzarella and cheddar for that authentic cafeteria-style flavor.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Dough
  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
  • 1 cup warm water 110°F / 43°C
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
For the Sauce
  • 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon sugar for the sauce
  • ½ teaspoon salt for the sauce
For the Topping
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese optional, for that authentic cafeteria flavor
  • 1 cup cooked ground beef or sausage optional

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Small bowl
  • Sheet pan
  • Saucepan
  • Oven

Method
 

  1. In a small bowl, dissolve the packet of active dry yeast and 2 tablespoons of sugar in 1 cup of warm water (110°F / 43°C). Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes foamy.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, stir in 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil and 1 teaspoon of salt. Gradually add 3 ½ cups of all-purpose flour while mixing until a soft, slightly tacky dough forms.
  3. Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place for about 45 minutes, or until it has doubled in size.
  4. While the dough is rising, prepare the sauce. In a saucepan, combine 1 can (15 oz) of tomato sauce, 2 tablespoons of tomato paste, 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, and dried basil, plus ½ teaspoon each of sugar and salt. Simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Once the dough has risen, punch it down and spread it out on a greased, rectangular sheet pan.
  6. Evenly spread the prepared sauce over the dough. Top with 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese and, if desired, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Optionally, add 1 cup of cooked ground beef or sausage before sprinkling the cheese.
  7. Preheat your oven to 425°F. Bake the pizza for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
  8. Remove from the oven, slice into squares, and serve hot.

Notes

This school pizza recipe perfectly captures the cafeteria nostalgia with its slightly sweet crust and tangy sauce. You can experiment with different cheese blends or add your favorite toppings to suit your tastes. The dough can be prepped ahead of time, making it an ideal recipe for busy weeknights. Serve with a fresh garden salad or classic sides like tater tots to complete the meal.