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Crispy School Cafeteria Pizza Recipe Easy Homemade Comfort Food

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A nostalgic, crispy school cafeteria-style pizza with a crackly crust, slightly sweet tomato sauce, and gooey mozzarella cheese. Easy to make at home with simple pantry staples.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (310 g) all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
  • 1 teaspoon instant yeast
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup (240 ml) warm water (about 110°F / 43°C)
  • 1 cup (240 ml) canned tomato sauce (plain, no herbs added)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups (200 g) shredded mozzarella cheese (low-moisture part-skim)
  • Optional: sliced pepperoni or your favorite toppings

Instructions

  1. Mix the Dough: In a large bowl, combine 2 ½ cups (310 g) flour, 1 teaspoon instant yeast, 1 teaspoon sugar, and 1 teaspoon salt. Stir to mix. Add 1 cup (240 ml) warm water and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Mix with a spoon or your hands until a rough dough forms. This takes about 5 minutes.
  2. Knead the Dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 7–8 minutes until smooth and elastic. If the dough feels sticky, sprinkle a little more flour, but avoid adding too much to keep it tender.
  3. Let It Rise: Place the dough back in the bowl, cover loosely with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for 45–60 minutes until doubled in size.
  4. Prepare the Sauce: While the dough rises, mix the tomato sauce with oregano, garlic powder, sugar, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  5. Preheat Oven and Pizza Stone: About 30 minutes before baking, preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). Place your pizza stone or inverted baking sheet inside to get hot.
  6. Shape the Dough: Once risen, punch down the dough gently and turn it onto a lightly floured surface. Roll or stretch it into a 12-inch (30 cm) circle or rectangle, about ¼ inch (6 mm) thick.
  7. Assemble the Pizza: Place the dough on a piece of parchment paper. Spread the sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Sprinkle 2 cups (200 g) shredded mozzarella over the sauce. Add optional toppings if using.
  8. Bake the Pizza: Carefully slide the parchment with the pizza onto the hot stone or baking sheet. Bake for 12–15 minutes until the crust is golden and crispy, and the cheese is bubbling with slight browning spots. For extra crispiness, broil for the last 1–2 minutes, watching closely.
  9. Cool and Slice: Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Preheat the baking surface for at least 30 minutes for a crispy crust. Use low-moisture mozzarella to avoid sogginess. Avoid overloading sauce or toppings to keep crust crisp. Dough can be refrigerated up to 24 hours before baking. Reheat pizza in skillet or under broiler to maintain crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: school cafeteria pizza, crispy pizza, homemade pizza, comfort food, easy pizza recipe, nostalgic pizza, quick pizza dough

Find it online: https://clunkcook.com/crispy-school-cafeteria-pizza-recipe-easy-homemade-comfort-food/