Easy School Pizza

Recreating the iconic school pizza brings back a flood of cafeteria memories filled with joy and simplicity. This particular recipe captures the essence of those carefree school days with a homemade version that might just outshine the original.

Perfect for a fun family dinner or a throwback party, this school-style pizza combines a homemade crust and savory toppings with a sauce that’s rich in herbs and flavor.

Ingredients

Crust:

• 2-2/3 cups flour
• 3/4 cup powdered milk
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 package quick rise yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1-2/3 cups warm water (110-115 degrees Fahrenheit)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Filling:

• 1/2 pound Italian sausage
• 1/2 pound ground chuck
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 (8 oz) block mozzarella cheese, shredded

Sauce (prepare the day before for best flavor):

• 1 (6 oz) 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

Steps

Crust:

1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 475 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Prepare Pan: Spray an 18×13-inch sheet pan with non-stick spray and line it with parchment paper.
3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine flour, powdered milk, sugar, yeast, and salt. Whisk together to blend.
4. Add Wet Ingredients: Mix vegetable oil into the warm water, then pour this into the flour mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon until a batter forms, ensuring there are no dry spots.
5. Spread the Dough: Transfer the dough to the prepared sheet pan. Use your fingertips to spread the dough evenly across the pan. If the dough resists, let it rest for 5 minutes before attempting again.
6. Pre-bake: Bake the crust alone for 8-10 minutes, then remove from the oven and set aside.

Filling:

1. Cook Meats: In a skillet, brown the Italian sausage and ground chuck with salt and pepper until they crumble. Drain and set aside.

Assembly:

1. Add Sauce: Spread the prepared tomato sauce evenly over the partially baked crust.
2. Add Meats: Distribute the browned meat evenly over the sauce.
3. Add Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the meat.
4. Final Bake: Return the pizza to the oven and bake at 475 degrees for another 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and starts to brown.
5. Rest and Serve: Let the pizza stand for 5 minutes after baking. Cut into slices and serve hot.