The School Pizza Recipe

Here’s a classic school cafeteria-style pizza recipe, just like you might remember from elementary or middle school. This pizza is known for its soft, thick crust and simple toppings — typically ground beef, sausage, or pepperoni, with gooey mozzarella.

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🍕 Classic School Cafeteria Pizza Recipe

🍞 Dough (Crust):

Ingredients:

• 2 ¼ tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast

• 1 ¼ cups warm water (110°F / 43°C)

• 1 tbsp sugar

• 1 tsp salt

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil

• 3 to 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast and sugar in warm water. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.

2. Stir in salt, oil, and 2 cups of the flour. Mix well.

3. Gradually add remaining flour until a soft dough forms.

4. Knead on a floured surface for 5–8 minutes until smooth and elastic.

5. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

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🍅 Sauce:

Ingredients:

• 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp onion powder

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• Salt & pepper to taste

• Optional: pinch of sugar

Instructions:
Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Adjust seasoning to taste.

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🧀 Toppings:

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• Ground beef or sausage (cooked & drained)

• Pepperoni slices (optional)

• Optional: diced green peppers, onions

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🔥 Assembly & Baking:

1. Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C).

2. Grease a 9×13 inch sheet pan or pizza pan.

3. Roll out dough to fit the pan, pressing it into the corners.

4. Spread sauce evenly over the dough.

5. Add toppings and sprinkle with cheese.

6. Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and crust is golden brown.

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✅ Tips:

• For extra authenticity, some schools added a touch of cornmeal to the bottom of the crust.

• This style of pizza is best served in squares, not wedges.

Would you like a variation (like the old rectangle pizza with beef topping) or a version scaled for a crowd?