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School Cafeteria Pizza

Easy Old School Cafeteria Pizza Recipe Everyone Will Love

This School Cafeteria Pizza recipe brings back nostalgic flavors with a modern twist, perfect for family gatherings and casual dinners.
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Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Cooling Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 20 slices
Course: Lunch
Cuisine: American
Calories: 280
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Dough
  • 1 packet quick rise yeast (¼ ounce, or 2¼ teaspoons)
  • 3.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup instant dry milk
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 2.25 cups hot water (110-115°F | 55°C)
Toppings
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 0.5 pound mild Italian sausage
  • 1 large onion (chopped)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 cup water
  • 8 ounces tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 4 ounces American cheese (grated)
  • 4 ounces medium cheddar cheese (grated)
  • 4 ounces mozzarella cheese (grated)

Equipment

  • large bowl
  • skillet
  • Half-sheet pan
  • whisk
  • grater

Method
 

Dough Preparation
  1. Preheat oven to 475°F. Line a half-sheet pan (20x14") with parchment.
  2. Whisk together dry ingredients in a bowl. In another bowl, mix oil with warm water, then combine with the dry mix. Stir well (dough will be thick and sticky). Pour into prepared pan and spread evenly. Let rest for 30 minutes.
  3. Par-bake crust for 10 minutes, then set aside.
Topping Preparation
  1. Brown sausage, beef, and onion in a skillet. Add tomato paste, water, sugar, and herbs. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, until thick. Allow to cool slightly.
  2. Grate and mix the cheeses. Set aside.
Assembly and Baking
  1. Spread topping over crust, edge to edge. Sprinkle cheese blend on top.
  2. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  3. Cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 280kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 13gFat: 15gSodium: 514mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5g

Notes

Feel free to customize the toppings to your liking or dietary preferences. This recipe is versatile and can be adjusted for vegetarian options.

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