Name: Easy School Pizza
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 26 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 2 2⁄3 cups all-purpose flour; 3⁄4 cup powdered milk; 2 tablespoons white sugar; 1 packet quick rise yeast; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 2⁄3 cups warm water (105-110°F); 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 1⁄2 pound lean ground beef; 1⁄2 teaspoon salt; 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper; 8 ounces block mozzarella cheese, grated (for authentic school pizza flavor, use imitation shredded mozzarella); 6 ounce can tomato paste; 1 cup water; 1⁄3 cup olive oil; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon black pepper; 1⁄2 tablespoon dried oregano; 1⁄2 tablespoon dried basil; 1⁄2 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed

This fall marked a real milestone for me as a mom. After 28 years of taking a photo of my kids on their first day of school each year – from preschool to kindergarten to elementary school to middle school and finally high school (times 5 kids!) – I faced my youngest’s first day of senior year, which also happened to be my last “First Day of School” photo.

With all but my youngest now off to college, sending a child off to college is definitely a different experience than packing them off to first grade. But it did get me reminiscing about my own childhood and school days. As I went online to update my daughter’s lunch account, I couldn’t help but think back to the cafeteria and school lunches of my own childhood.

I grew up in Northeast Portland and went to the same elementary school from kindergarten through 8th grade. In that time, I probably ate close to 1500 meals in our basement cafeteria. More than two-thirds of those were “hot lunches.” Ah, the good old days of school cafeteria pizza – it may not have been gourmet, but it takes me right back to the carefree days of childhood. This EASY SCHOOL PIZZA recipe captures that nostalgic cafeteria essence perfectly. Now I can recreate that old-school flavor in my own kitchen anytime I want a tasty dose of nostalgia!

Ingredients You Will Need

Before we get started, let me explain why I chose these specific ingredients.

Crust:

All-purpose flour: This is the main structural component of the crust, providing strength and elasticity.
Powdered milk: It adds a subtle milky flavor and enhances the browning of the crust.
White sugar: It feeds the yeast, helping it rise and produce carbon dioxide, which creates the airy texture of the crust.
Quick-rise yeast: This type of yeast doesn’t require proofing, making the pizza-making process faster.
Salt: It enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the sugar.
Warm water: It activates the yeast and helps the dough come together smoothly.
Vegetable oil: It adds moisture and makes the crust pliable, preventing it from cracking during baking.

Filling:

Lean ground beef: It provides the savory base for the pizza filling, adding protein and flavor.
Salt: It enhances the flavor of the beef and balances the other ingredients.
Black pepper: It adds a touch of spiciness and complexity to the filling.
Shredded mozzarella cheese: It melts beautifully, providing a gooey, irresistible texture and a rich, milky flavor.

Sauce:

Tomato paste: This concentrated tomato product forms the base of the sauce, providing a rich tomato flavor and vibrant color.
Water: It thins out the tomato paste to a sauce-like consistency.
Olive oil: It adds a smooth texture and enhances the flavor of the tomato paste.
Garlic: It imparts a pungent, aromatic flavor that is essential for authentic pizza sauce.
Salt: It balances the acidity of the tomatoes and enhances the overall flavor.
Black pepper: It adds a subtle kick of spiciness to the sauce.
Dried oregano: This classic Italian herb imparts an earthy, herbaceous aroma and flavor to the sauce.
Dried basil: This sweet and fragrant herb complements the oregano and adds a touch of sweetness to the sauce.
Crushed dried rosemary: It contributes a slightly woody, pine-like flavor that rounds out the sauce’s herbal notes.

Kitchen Tools Needed

Large mixing bowl
Whisk
Wooden spoon
Half sheet pan
Parchment paper
Cooking spray
Measuring cups
Measuring spoons
Knife and cutting board (for mincing garlic)
Saucepan (for making sauce)
Spatula
Skillet
Grater or shredder (for mozzarella cheese)
Oven mitts or gloves
Pizza cutter or kitchen shears

How To Make This Easy School Pizza

Making Crust:

Preheat oven to 475°F. Spray a half-sheet pan with cooking spray and line it with parchment paper. The cooking spray helps the parchment paper stick.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, powdered milk, sugar, yeast and salt. This combines the dry ingredients.
Heat the water until it reaches 105-110°F. Add the vegetable oil to the warm water and mix. The temperature activates the yeast.
Pour the oil and water mixture into the dry ingredients. Using a wooden spoon, stir everything together until a sticky, lumply batter forms. Don’t overmix, just make sure there are no dry spots.
Spread and push the dough evenly into the prepared sheet pan using your fingertips. If the dough is difficult to work with, let it rest for 5 minutes before trying again.
Bake the crust only for 8-10 minutes until lightly browned. Remove from oven and set aside.

Filling:

In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef breaking it up into crumbles as it cooks until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat.
Season the cooked ground beef with the salt and pepper. Set aside.

Sauce:

In a saucepan, stir together the tomato paste, water, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, basil and rosemary. Heat over medium, stirring often, until simmering. Remove from heat and set aside.

Assemble Pizza:

Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the par-baked crust.
Sprinkle the seasoned ground beef crumbles over the sauce.
Top with the grated mozzarella cheese.
Bake for 8-10 minutes until the cheese is melted and starting to brown.
Remove pizza from oven and transfer to a cutting board. Let sit for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips for a Perfect School Pizza

Use fresh, high-quality ingredients. Fresh tomatoes, real mozzarella cheese, and fresh vegetables will enhance the flavors.
Make sure to preheat the oven properly, at around 475°F, to get a crispy crust.
Use a pizza stone or baking sheet to evenly distribute heat.
Avoid overloading the pizza with too many toppings, which can make the crust soggy.
Spread sauce evenly over the crust using the back of a spoon. Too much sauce can also make the crust soft.
Let the pizza rest 1-2 minutes before slicing into it so the cheese sets up.
Get creative with shapes using cookie cutters or make mini personal pizzas for a fun lunchbox surprise.
Consider trying unique sauces like barbecue, pesto or white garlic sauce to make the pizza more tasty.

Following these simple tips will help you make a delicious school pizza that both you and your kids will love. The key is fresh ingredients, proper technique, and inviting kids into the pizza-making process.

Substitutions And Variations

Substitutions:

Crust: Substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat or multigrain flour.
Crust: Instead of powdered milk, use 2 tablespoons of yogurt or sour cream.
Sauce: Use 6 oz canned tomato sauce instead of tomato paste and water.

Variations:

Use turkey or chicken sausage instead of ground beef.
Add your favorite veggies like mushrooms, peppers, onions, olives.
Make an Alfredo pizza with cream cheese, milk, garlic powder, salt and pepper instead of tomato sauce.
Add pineapple and Canadian bacon for a Hawaiian pizza.
Use taco-seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, and cilantro for a Mexican-style pizza.