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Nostalgic School Pizza

Featured in Hot, bubbly pizza from your oven.

Relive those cafeteria days with this easy school pizza recipe! Make a quick crust, layer on a rich homemade sauce, add browned meats or veggies, then top with melted cheese. Bake the partially cooked crust with everything on it until crispy and bubbling. This cheesy, satisfying meal is simple, nostalgic, and perfect for your family. It’s your childhood favorite, made fresh!
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alicia in the kitchen
Updated on Thu, 10 Apr 2025 14:38:08 GMT
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Nostalgic School Pizza | tasteofsavor.com

This square-shaped pizza brings back those special lunchroom vibes with its distinctive taste and feel that made midday meals memorable. The mix of a chewy yet firm base, flavorful meat topping, and gooey cheese captures that unforgettable school lunch pizza feel right in your own home.

I've whipped this up so many times when the whole family gets together, and it always gets everyone talking about their school days. The square shape and unique bite never fails to get folks smiling and sharing stories.

Key Ingredients and Smart Shopping Advice

  • All-purpose flour: Gives you that unique dense but stretchy texture
  • Powdered milk: The secret behind that unmistakable lunchroom pizza taste
  • Quick-rise yeast: Gets the job done without making you wait forever
  • Italian sausage & ground chuck: Work together for that spot-on taste we remember
  • Block mozzarella (not pre-shredded): Makes those long cheese pulls we all love
  • Tomato paste: Packs a flavor punch and keeps the sauce just thick enough

Step-by-Step Cooking Guide

Step 1: Crust Preparation (30 minutes)
Mix your dry stuff in a big bowl. Make sure your water sits between 110-115°F to wake up the yeast properly. Stir until barely mixed together and don't worry about lumps, they're actually good here. If the dough fights back when spreading, let it sit and relax a bit.
Step 2: Initial Bake (8-10 minutes)
Don't skip baking the crust first, it's what makes the texture right. Look for the edges to barely turn color. Take it out while most of it still looks pretty pale.
Step 3: Meat Preparation (15 minutes)
Cook both meats at the same time so the flavors mingle. Break it into tiny, even bits as it cooks. Get rid of all that fat or you'll end up with soggy pizza.
Step 4: Final Assembly and Bake (10-15 minutes)
Spread sauce all the way to every edge. Scatter meat bits evenly all over. Blanket the whole thing with cheese. Bake until you see those tasty brown spots on the cheese.

My kid can't get enough of the powdered milk in this pizza dough. It's our little trick that makes the crust so soft and tasty, just like we used to get back in our school days.

Prep Ahead Perks

This pizza works even better when you plan ahead. The sauce tastes richer if you make it a day early, and you can mix up the dough and keep it in your fridge for a full day. This makes it super handy for busy weeknights but still gives you that amazing taste everyone wants.

Keeping It Fresh

Unlike takeout pizza, this school-style version stays good when you store it right. Wrap each piece in foil and keep in the fridge up to three days. When you want more, warm it in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes to bring back that just-baked feel without getting soggy like it would in the microwave.

Ways To Switch It Up

While this pizza nails that classic school lunch taste, you can totally make it your own. Try mixing different cheeses, adding veggies like peppers or mushrooms, or switching up your meat choices. The sturdy base handles extra toppings really well while still giving you that nostalgic flavor we all remember.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why does this school pizza stand out?
It’s all about recreating that familiar flavors of school cafeteria pizza with a homemade touch—perfect crust, zesty sauce, and cheesy toppings.
→ Is the sauce better when prepped beforehand?
Totally! Make it a day earlier to amp up the flavors and save time during baking.
→ What filling options work best?
Ground beef and Italian sausage are classics, but you can mix it up with other meats or keep it veggie-friendly.
→ How long should I bake the base first?
Pop the crust into a 475°F oven for about 8-10 minutes until it’s firm enough to handle the toppings.
→ Which cheese is ideal for this?
Mozzarella is a go-to for its creamy melt, but other cheese blends will work just as well!

School Pizza

Bring back school memories with a fun and simple recipe for the ultimate pizza. A golden crust, tasty sauce, and delicious layers of cheese and filling await!

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
30 Minutes
Total Time
50 Minutes
By: Alicia

Category: Pizza

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian-American

Yield: 6 Servings

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Crust

01 1 2/3 cups warm water (110–115°F)
02 3/4 cup powdered milk
03 2 tablespoons sugar
04 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
05 1 teaspoon salt
06 1 package quick-rise yeast
07 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour

→ Filling

08 1/2 teaspoon pepper
09 1/2 pound ground chuck
10 1/2 pound Italian sausage
11 1/2 teaspoon salt
12 1 (8-ounce) block of mozzarella cheese

→ Sauce

13 1 teaspoon salt
14 1/3 cup olive oil
15 1 (6-ounce) can of tomato paste
16 1 1/2 cups water
17 1/2 tablespoon dried basil
18 1 teaspoon pepper
19 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
20 2 cloves garlic, minced
21 1/2 tablespoon dried oregano

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat your oven to 475°F. Spray a sheet pan (about 18 x 13 inches) lightly with non-stick cooking spray, then line it with parchment. Combine the salt, flour, powdered milk, sugar, and yeast in a big bowl. Stir until it's all mixed. Pour the warm water and oil into the bowl and mix everything with a wooden spoon until smooth. Once mixed, use your hands to spread the dough onto the pan. If it's too stiff, let the dough chill out for 5 minutes before trying again. Partially bake for 8–10 minutes. Take it out and leave it to rest.

Step 02

Heat a skillet, then add the sausage and ground beef. Sprinkle in the salt and pepper. Crumble the meat as it cooks and stir until it's browned. Drain out the extra grease. Set the cooked meat aside.

Step 03

In a small pot, stir together the tomato paste, olive oil, water, minced garlic, salt, pepper, rosemary, basil, and oregano. Heat it up gently and let it simmer so the flavors mix well. For the best taste, make it ahead of time and use the next day.

Step 04

Spread your sauce all over the warm crust evenly. Add the cooked sausage and beef on top, and then sprinkle on the shredded mozzarella cheese.

Step 05

Place the pizza back into the 475°F oven and bake until the cheese starts to bubble and gets golden, about 8–10 minutes. Let it cool for 5 minutes so it's easier to cut. Serve and enjoy!

Tools You'll Need

  • Mixing bowl
  • Parchment paper
  • 18 x 13-inch sheet pan
  • Wooden spoon
  • Skillet

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Gluten (flour)
  • Dairy (milk and cheese)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 92
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~