Try This Irresistible School Pizza Recipe Today

Every kid dreams about the ultimate school pizza recipe that transforms ordinary lunchtime into a culinary adventure.

Memories of cafeteria classics spark nostalgia for those cheesy, crispy slices.

Cafeteria workers once guarded these secret recipes like precious treasures.

Simple ingredients come together with surprising ease and remarkable flavor.

My childhood lunch memories dance with excitement whenever pizza appeared on the menu.

Countless afternoons were brightened by these delectable squares of happiness.

You can now recreate that magical moment and bring school lunch magic right to your kitchen.

What’s Great About This School Pizza

• Customize with Ease: Swap meats, add veggies, or change cheese to match your family's taste preferences and make this pizza uniquely yours.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Perfect for game nights, potlucks, or casual dinners where everyone craves a hearty, satisfying meal that brings smiles.
• School Lunch Nostalgia: Recreate that classic cafeteria pizza experience with homemade love, delivering a delicious trip down memory lane for both kids and adults.
• Master Meal Prep: Prepare sauce and meat ahead of time, then quickly assemble when hunger strikes, making this recipe a smart choice for busy households.

Ingredients You’ll Need for School Pizza

• Flour: The base ingredient that provides structure to the pizza dough.
• Powdered Milk: Adds richness and helps with browning of the crust.
• Sugar: Helps activate the yeast and provides slight sweetness.
• Yeast: Essential for helping the dough rise and creating texture.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the crust.
• Vegetable Oil: Adds moisture and helps create a soft, tender crust.
• Warm Water: Activates the yeast and helps bind the ingredients together.

• Italian Sausage, Ground Chuck: Provides rich, savory protein base for the pizza.

• Tomato Paste: Concentrated tomato flavor that forms the base of the sauce.
• Water: Helps thin and blend the sauce ingredients.
• Olive Oil: Adds depth and smoothness to the sauce.
• Garlic: Provides a robust, aromatic flavor to the sauce.
• Salt, Pepper: Seasonings that enhance the overall taste.

• Oregano, Basil, Rosemary: Classic Italian herbs that give the sauce authentic and complex flavor profiles.

• Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully and provides a creamy, stretchy topping.

Steps to Make This Classic Pizza

Step 1: Craft the Perfect Crust

Warm up your oven to a sizzling 475F. Grab a sheet pan and give it a light spray with cooking spray, then line it with parchment paper.

• Flour
• Powdered milk
• Sugar
• Yeast
• Salt

Whisk everything together until well blended. Mix warm water with vegetable oil, then pour into the flour mixture.

Stir with a wooden spoon until a smooth batter forms. Spread the dough across the sheet pan using your fingertips, making sure it’s evenly distributed.

If the dough feels stubborn, let it rest for a quick 5 minutes. Bake the crust for 8-10 minutes, then set aside.

Step 2: Prepare Savory Meat Mixture

Brown the Italian sausage and ground chuck in a skillet. Season with salt and pepper.

Drain any excess fat and set the meat mixture aside.

Step 3: Whip Up Flavorful Sauce

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

Simmer the sauce over low heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Allow the sauce to cool, then refrigerate (preferably the day before).

Step 4: Assemble the Pizza Masterpiece

Spread the prepared sauce evenly over the partially baked crust.

Sprinkle the cooked meat mixture on top of the sauce. Cover with a generous layer of grated mozzarella cheese.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the pizza into the oven and bake at 475F for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese turns a beautiful golden brown.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Let the pizza rest for 5 minutes, then slice and serve up your delicious homemade school pizza.

Tips to Nail That School Pizza Flavor

• Opt for fresh, high-quality ingredients to elevate the pizza's flavor profile and ensure a delicious result.
• Allow the pizza dough to rest briefly if it resists spreading, giving the gluten time to relax and making it easier to shape.
• Drain excess fat from the meat thoroughly to prevent a greasy pizza and maintain a crisp crust.
• Prepare the sauce a day ahead to develop deeper, more complex flavors and save time during assembly.
• Use a parchment-lined sheet pan for easy cleanup and to prevent the crust from sticking.

Toppings to Try with School Pizza

• Vegetarian School Pizza: Replace meat with sautéed bell peppers, mushrooms, and zucchini for a hearty plant-based version.
• Gluten-Free School Pizza: Substitute regular flour with gluten-free flour blend and use cornmeal for added texture and crispiness.
• Low-Carb School Pizza: Create a cauliflower crust instead of traditional flour base, using grated cauliflower, eggs, and cheese as the foundation.
• Spicy Mexican School Pizza: Add jalapeños, swap Italian seasoning for taco seasoning, and top with pepper jack cheese for a zesty kick.

Pairings That Match This Pizza Slice

• Pair with Crisp Green Salad: Toss a light, refreshing salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a tangy vinaigrette to balance the rich, meaty pizza flavors.
• Complement with Bold Red Wine: Choose a medium-bodied Chianti or Sangiovese to enhance the savory sausage and ground chuck, cutting through the cheese's richness.
• Serve with Chilled Craft Beer: Select a hoppy IPA or amber ale that stands up to the robust meat and tomato sauce, providing a refreshing contrast to the hearty pizza.
• Refresh with Sparkling Water: Add a slice of lemon to cleanse the palate between bites, helping to cut through the pizza's heavy texture and intense flavors.

Best Way to Keep Pizza Fresh

• Store leftover pizza slices in an airtight container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Wrap individual slices or the entire pizza in aluminum foil, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Label the bag with the date to track storage time.
• Preheat oven to 375F. Place pizza slices on a baking sheet and warm for 10-12 minutes. This method helps restore the crispy crust and melts the cheese evenly.

FAQs

• Why is this called the School Pizza?

This recipe is inspired by classic cafeteria-style pizzas served in American schools, featuring a thick, hearty crust and simple meat and cheese toppings that remind people of childhood lunch memories.

• Can I use different types of meat?

Yes, you can substitute the Italian sausage and ground chuck with ground turkey, chicken, or even vegetarian meat alternatives to suit your dietary preferences.

• Do I need special equipment to make this pizza?

No, you just need a standard 18×13 sheet pan, parchment paper, a skillet for browning meat, and basic kitchen tools like a wooden spoon and whisk.

• How can I make the sauce more flavorful?

You can enhance the sauce by adding a pinch of red pepper flakes, a splash of red wine, or using fresh herbs instead of dried ones to boost the overall taste profile.

The School Pizza Recipe

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4.7 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

School pizza brings back nostalgic lunchtime memories with its crispy crust and melty cheese. Simple ingredients and quick preparation make this classic comfort dish a perfect weeknight meal you’ll enjoy recreating from childhood.

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Ingredients

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Meat and Protein:

• 1/2 pound Italian sausage
• 1/2 pound ground chuck
• 1 (8 ounces) block mozzarella cheese, grated

Dry Ingredients for Crust:

• 2 2/3 cups flour
• 3/4 cup powdered milk
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 package quick-rise yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt

Liquid and Sauce Ingredients:

• 1 2/3 cups warm water (110-115°F)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 (6 ounces) can tomato paste
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1/2 tablespoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary

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Instructions

1. Craft the foundation by mixing flour, powdered milk, sugar, yeast, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Whisk thoroughly to distribute ingredients evenly.
2. Combine warm water with vegetable oil, then pour into the dry mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon until a cohesive batter forms, accepting some lumps.
3. Preheat oven to 475F. Prepare an 18×13 sheet pan by spraying with cooking spray and lining with parchment paper.
4. Spread the dough across the sheet pan using fingertips, ensuring uniform thickness. Allow brief resting if dough resists stretching.
5. Partially bake the crust for 8-10 minutes, then remove and set aside for subsequent layering.
6. In a skillet, thoroughly brown Italian sausage and ground chuck. Season with salt and pepper, then drain excess fat.
7. Create sauce by combining tomato paste, water, olive oil, garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper in a saucepan. Simmer on low heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring periodically.
8. Cool sauce completely and refrigerate overnight for enhanced flavor development.
9. Distribute sauce evenly across the pre-baked crust, maintaining consistent coverage.
10. Layer cooked meat mixture over the sauce, ensuring balanced distribution.
11. Generously sprinkle mozzarella cheese across the pizza surface.
12. Return pizza to 475F oven, baking for 8-10 minutes until cheese turns golden and bubbly.
13. Allow pizza to rest for 5 minutes after removing from oven to set toppings.
14. Slice and serve hot, enjoying the layered flavors and crisp crust.

Notes

• Customize the dough by substituting half the flour with whole wheat flour for added nutrition and a nutty flavor.
• Reduce the salt content by using low-sodium sausage and ground chuck to make the dish more heart-friendly.
• Experiment with alternative protein options like ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, more diet-flexible version of the pizza.
• Enhance the sauce’s depth by adding a splash of red wine or a pinch of smoked paprika during simmering for a more complex flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 312 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 453 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg