Homemade School Cafeteria Pizza – Get ready to relive your childhood. With this Homemade School Cafeteria Pizza. This easy recipe takes you back. To those nostalgic lunchroom days. Featuring a soft, thick crust. Topped with gooey mozzarella cheese. And your favorite toppings. Perfect for family dinners. Or a fun cooking activity with the kids.
The first time I made this pizza. I was taken back to my school days. The smell alone. Brought back memories of lunchtime excitement. And trading slices with friends. When my husband and child tried it. They were instantly hooked. It quickly became a family favorite. And now it’s a must-have. In our weekly meal rotation.
What makes this Homemade School Cafeteria Pizza truly special?
This Homemade School Cafeteria Pizza. Is not just about nostalgia. The unique batter-like dough. Creates a thick, airy crust. That’s different from your usual pizza. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile. Add your favorite toppings. And customize it to your liking. It’s a fun and delicious way. To bring everyone together in the kitchen. And at the dinner table.
What You Need To Make This Homemade School Cafeteria Pizza Recipe?
Shortening: This is key. For giving the crust a crispy edge. It also adds a bit of that classic cafeteria pizza flavor.
Cornmeal: It’s a little trick. To prevent the dough from sticking. And gives the crust a nice texture.
Yeast: Essential for that fluffy crust. Make sure your water is warm. Not hot. To activate the yeast properly.
Water: Warm water helps dissolve the yeast. And gets it working.
All-purpose flour: The foundation of your dough. All-purpose works great. For this classic crust.
Instant non-fat dry milk powder: Adds a touch of creaminess. And helps with the texture of the crust.
Sugar: Feeds the yeast. And helps the crust brown nicely.
Salt: Essential for flavor.
Oil: Adds moisture and richness to the dough.
Pizza sauce: Choose your favorite brand. Or make your own. For a personal touch.
Mozzarella cheese: The star of any pizza. Giving you that perfect, gooey topping.
Pizza toppings of your choice: Personalize it! Pepperoni, veggies, or even extra cheese—whatever you love.
Steps To Make Homemade School Cafeteria Pizza:
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 475ºF and grease a half-sheet pan with 1 tablespoon of shortening. Sprinkle some cornmeal over it to prevent sticking. And add a nice crunch.
Step 2: In a stand mixer, dissolve the yeast in warm water. And let it stand for 4-5 minutes until it gets foamy.
Step 3: Add the flour, dry milk powder, sugar, salt, and oil to the yeast mixture. Using the whisk attachment. Mix for about 10 minutes. Don’t worry if the batter looks a bit lumpy—that’s normal.
Step 4: Spread the dough into the prepared pan and let it rest for 20 minutes. This gives the dough a chance to rise and get all fluffy.
Step 5: Bake the crust for 10 minutes to give it a good head start.
Step 6: Remove the crust from the oven. Spread your favorite pizza sauce over it. Add your toppings and sprinkle generously with mozzarella cheese.
Step 7: Pop the pizza back in the oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes. Or until the cheese is melted. And starts to brown.
Step 8: Slice it up and serve! Enjoy your trip down memory lane. With this nostalgic pizza.
Tip:
For an extra crispy crust. Try pre-baking the crust for an additional 5 minutes. Before adding your toppings. This step. Ensures the crust has a sturdy base. And won’t get soggy. Under the weight of the sauce and toppings. Also, if you like a bit of a garlic kick. Melt a tablespoon of butter. Mix in some minced garlic. Brush this mixture over the edges of the crust. Just before the final bake. This gives you pizza. An irresistible aroma. And a scrumptious garlic taste. That complements the toppings perfectly.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Yes. You can substitute whole wheat flour. But the texture will be denser. You may need to adjust the water content slightly.
What other toppings work well with this pizza?
Feel free to get creative! Pepperoni, mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, and olives. These are all great options.
Can I make this pizza ahead of time?
Yes. You can prepare the dough. And par-bake the crust ahead of time. Store it in the fridge. Add toppings just before the final bake.
Homemade School Cafeteria Pizza
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 people 1x
Description
This Homemade School Cafeteria Pizza. Is a delightful throwback to childhood. It’s perfect. For family dinners. Or a fun cooking project with the kids. The recipe features a thick, fluffy crust. That’s both crispy and tender. Just like those school lunch pizzas. We all remember. Topped with gooey mozzarella cheese. And your choice of toppings. It’s a simple. Yet satisfying dish. That brings a wave of nostalgia. With every bite. The unique batter-like dough. And the ease of preparation. Make it a must-try. For pizza lovers. Of all ages.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon shortening
1½ tablespoons cornmeal
1 (0.25-ounces) packet yeast
1⅔ c water
2½ c all-purpose flour
¾ c instant non-fat dry milk powder
2 tablespoons sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
1½ teaspoons oil
1⅓ c pizza sauce, or to taste
2 c shredded mozzarella cheese, or to taste
Pizza toppings of your choice
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 475ºF. Grease a half-sheet pan with shortening and sprinkle with cornmeal.
Dissolve yeast in warm water. In a stand mixer. Let stand for 4-5 minutes until foamy.
Add flour, dry milk powder, sugar, salt, and oil. Mix with a whisk attachment for 10 minutes. The dough might be lumpy.
Spread dough in the pan. And let it rest for 20 minutes.
Bake the crust for 10 minutes.
Remove from the oven and spread pizza sauce. Add toppings and cheese.
Bake for another 10-15 minutes. Until the cheese is melted and browning.
Slice and enjoy!
Notes
To make this recipe gluten-free. Simply swap out the all-purpose flour. For a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure the blend you choose contains xanthan gum. Or another binder. To help the dough hold together. Additionally, verify that all other ingredients. Including the yeast, non-fat dry milk powder, and pizza toppings. Are certified gluten-free. This adjustment allows those with gluten sensitivities. To enjoy a nostalgic homemade pizza. Without worry. The texture might be slightly different. But the flavor will be just as delicious. And satisfying.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
My name is Natasha and I am the owner of nodashofgluten.com, a blog dedicated to all kinds of recipes. On my website, you can find classic dishes, vegetarian delights, creative snacks, Gluten-free recipes, and desserts – all proving that cooking isn’t as hard as it seems! With easy-to-follow instructions and tips on how to make your meals even better, I strive to help everyone become master chefs in their own kitchen. Come join me at nodashofgluten.com for some delicious fun!
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