Name: Nostalgic Recipes
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 Tbsp shortening.; 1½ Tbsp cornmeal.; 1 (0.25-oz) packet of yeast.; 1⅔ cups water.; 2½ cups all-purpose flour.; ¾ cups instant non-fat dry milk powder.; 2 Tbsp sugar.; ¼ tsp salt.; 1½ tsp oil.; 1⅓ cups pizza sauce, or to taste.; 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, or to taste.; Pizza toppings of your choice.

School Cafeteria Pizza is a nostalgic throwback to the days when pizza was a highly anticipated part of the school lunch menu. This homemade version captures the essence of those fond memories, delivering a crispy crust, savory pizza sauce, and melty mozzarella cheese. The dough is made from scratch with simple ingredients, ensuring a fresh and delicious base for your favorite toppings. Perfect for a family dinner or a fun weekend cooking project, this pizza is sure to delight both kids and adults alike.

School Cafeteria Pizza is a nostalgic throwback to the beloved pizza slices served during school lunch. This homemade version brings back the classic taste with a crispy crust, savory sauce, and plenty of melted mozzarella cheese. It’s perfect for reliving those childhood memories or introducing the next generation to this classic favorite.

INGREDIENTS

1 Tbsp shortening: Used to grease the pan, ensuring the crust develops a crispy edge without sticking.
1½ Tbsp cornmeal: Adds texture and helps prevent the dough from sticking to the pan, giving the crust a bit of extra crunch.
1 (0.25-oz) packet of yeast: The key to a light and airy crust, activating the dough to rise properly.
1⅔ cups water: Warm water helps activate the yeast, starting the fermentation process for the dough.
2½ cups all-purpose flour: Forms the base of the dough, providing structure and chewiness to the crust.
¾ cups instant non-fat dry milk powder: Adds richness and a slight sweetness to the dough, enhancing the flavor.
2 Tbsp sugar: Feeds the yeast, helping the dough rise and adding a subtle sweetness to the crust.
¼ tsp salt: Balances the flavors in the dough, ensuring the crust isn’t bland.
1½ tsp oil: Adds moisture to the dough, making it easier to work with and contributing to a tender crumb.
1⅓ cups pizza sauce: The savory base that complements the crust and cheese, use your favorite store-bought or homemade sauce.
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully over the pizza, creating the gooey, cheesy topping everyone loves.
Pizza toppings of your choice: Customize with your favorite toppings, whether it's pepperoni, mushrooms, or bell peppers.

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1:: Preheat your oven to 475ºF (246ºC). Grease a half-sheet pan with shortening, ensuring it’s well-coated to prevent sticking. Sprinkle cornmeal evenly over the greased pan to add texture to the crust.
Step 2:: In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, combine the yeast with warm water. Let it sit for a few minutes until the yeast activates and becomes frothy, which helps create a light, airy dough.
Step 3:: Add the all-purpose flour, instant non-fat dry milk powder, sugar, salt, and oil to the yeast mixture. Attach the whisk to the stand mixer and mix thoroughly on medium speed for about 10 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Step 4:: Transfer the dough to the prepared sheet pan, spreading it out evenly to the edges. Allow the dough to rest for a few minutes, which helps it rise slightly and develop a soft, chewy texture.
Step 5:: Pre-bake the crust in your preheated oven for 10 minutes. This initial baking step helps the crust firm up, ensuring it holds up well to the sauce and toppings without becoming soggy.
Step 6:: Remove the crust from the oven and spread your desired amount of pizza sauce evenly over the top. Add your favorite pizza toppings, followed by an even layer of shredded mozzarella cheese.
Step 7:: Return the pizza to the oven and bake for another 8-12 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. The crust should be crispy, and the toppings fully cooked.
Step 8:: Once baked, remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool slightly before cutting into pieces. Serve hot and enjoy the nostalgic flavors of homemade school cafeteria pizza.

Serving and Storage Tips

School Cafeteria Pizza is best served hot, straight from the oven, when the crust is crispy and the cheese is perfectly melted. Pair it with a simple side salad or a serving of fruit to round out the meal.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat slices in the oven or toaster oven to retain the crispy crust, or use the microwave for a quicker option, though the crust may soften.
This pizza is great for meal prepping. Bake the crusts in advance and store them in the freezer. When ready to eat, simply add the sauce, cheese, and toppings, and bake until hot and bubbly.

Helpful Notes

For a thicker, more traditional crust, let the dough rise for an additional 20-30 minutes after spreading it out on the sheet pan. This will create a more substantial base for your toppings.
If you prefer a bit of extra flavor in your crust, consider brushing the edges with a garlic butter mixture before baking. This adds a delicious, buttery finish that complements the pizza toppings.
Feel free to get creative with your toppings! While this recipe calls for classic ingredients like mozzarella and pizza sauce, you can customize it with anything from pepperoni and sausage to vegetables like bell peppers and onions.

Tips from well-known chefs

Chef Jamie Oliver: “When making pizza at home, use the best quality cheese and sauce you can find. It really makes a difference in the flavor and texture of the final dish.”
Chef Wolfgang Puck: “Don’t overload your pizza with too many toppings. Sometimes, less is more, allowing each ingredient to shine and the crust to bake evenly.”
Chef Bobby Flay: “For an extra crispy crust, try baking your pizza on a preheated pizza stone. It helps to distribute heat evenly and gives the crust a great texture.”