Description
This Lunch Lady Pizza Recipe recreates the nostalgic, rectangular-style cafeteria pizza familiar from American school lunchrooms. Featuring a homemade yeast dough pressed into a 9×13-inch pan and topped with a blend of mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, pizza sauce, and optional classic toppings, this easy recipe yields a crispy, cheesy pizza perfect for a main course meal at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 cup warm water (110°F)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Toppings
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Optional toppings: pepperoni, diced green peppers, onions, etc.
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: In a large bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Let the mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Make the Dough: Add the all-purpose flour, salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture. Stir until a dough begins to form, then transfer it onto a floured surface.
- Knead the Dough: Knead the dough for 5 to 7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic, which helps develop gluten structure for a chewy crust.
- Let Dough Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the pizza.
- Prepare Pan and Shape Dough: Grease a 9×13-inch baking sheet. Press the risen dough evenly into the pan, forming a slight edge around the border to hold the toppings.
- Add Sauce and Toppings: Spread pizza sauce evenly over the dough surface. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese on top, then add any optional toppings like pepperoni or diced vegetables. Finally, season the pizza with dried oregano and garlic powder for extra flavor.
- Bake the Pizza: Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the crust turns golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing into 6 pieces to serve.
Notes
- For a crispier crust, pre-bake the dough for 5 minutes before adding sauce and toppings.
- This recipe mimics the nostalgic, rectangular cafeteria pizza served in many U.S. school lunchrooms.
- Feel free to customize with your favorite toppings such as pepperoni, bell peppers, or onions.
