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Nostalgic School Pizza

Featured in Homemade pizzas just how you like them.

Relive your childhood with this easy-to-make school pizza. Bake a soft crust first for 8-10 minutes, then load it up with sauce, meats, and cheese. Combine flavorful ingredients on your half-done crust, bake, and enjoy a crispy, bubbly finish. It's simple, comforting, and perfect for sharing with family or friends. Totally nostalgic and cheesy goodness!
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Maria from tastyhush
Updated on Thu, 10 Apr 2025 14:34:52 GMT
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Nostalgic School Pizza | tastyhush.com

This square-shaped pizza brings back all those fond cafeteria memories with its unique taste and feel that made lunch hour so exciting. You'll love the perfect mix of chewy base, flavorful meat topping, and gooey cheese that lets you enjoy that signature school pizza feeling right at home.

I've whipped this up so many times when hosting family, and it always gets everyone talking about their school days. Just seeing that rectangle shape and biting into that special texture makes everyone grin.

Key Ingredients and Smart Picking Advice

  • All-purpose flour: Gives you that special mix of dense and chewy
  • Powdered milk: This makes all the difference for that cafeteria pizza taste
  • Quick-rise yeast: Gets the job done without making you wait forever
  • Italian sausage & ground chuck: Work together for that genuine taste we remember
  • Block mozzarella (not pre-shredded): Turns super stringy when melted just how we want it
  • Tomato paste: Packs a punch of flavor and keeps the sauce just right

Step-by-Step Cooking Guide

Step 1: Crust Preparation (30 minutes)
Mix all your dry stuff in a big bowl. Make sure your water sits at 110-115°F so the yeast works its magic. Don't over-mix - a few lumps actually help here. If the dough fights back, just let it sit a bit.
Step 2: Initial Bake (8-10 minutes)
You can't skip baking the crust first for the right texture. Look for the edges to turn just slightly brown. Pull it out while it's mostly pale so it doesn't get too crispy.
Step 3: Meat Preparation (15 minutes)
Cook both meats together so the flavors mix well. Break everything into tiny, even bits. Drain off 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 the edges. Scatter meat bits evenly everywhere. Layer cheese to cover everything completely. Bake until you see little golden spots on the cheese.

My kid goes crazy for the powdered milk in this - it's our hidden trick that makes the crust so soft and tasty, exactly like we used to get back in our school days.

Prep-Ahead Perks

Getting a head start really works wonders with this pizza. The sauce tastes even better after sitting overnight, and you can make your dough and keep it in the fridge for a full day. This works great for busy households and actually improves the taste too.

Keeping It Fresh

This school-style pizza stays way better than delivery when you store it right. Just wrap each piece in some foil and stick it in the fridge for up to three days. When you want more, warm it in your oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes. This brings back that just-baked feel without making it all soggy like microwaves do.

Ways To Switch It Up

While this captures that classic cafeteria pizza feel, you can totally play around with it. 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

→ What makes this nostalgic pizza special?
It brings back memories with a scratch-made crust, fresh sauce, and classic toppings.
→ Can you prep the sauce in advance?
Absolutely! Make it a day ahead to boost the flavor and save kitchen time.
→ What kinds of meats work best?
The recipe uses ground beef and sausage, but you can choose any meat or go vegetarian.
→ How long should the crust bake first?
Bake it at 475°F for around 8-10 minutes before adding your sauce and toppings.
→ What type of cheese is ideal?
Mozzarella is a great choice for melting, but you can mix in your favorite cheeses.

Nostalgic School Pizza

Easily cook up that school cafeteria pizza you loved—soft crust, tasty toppings, and loads of cheese in every bite.

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

Category: Pizza

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian-American

Yield: 6 Servings

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Crust

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

→ Filling

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

→ Sauce

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

Instructions

Step 01

Turn your oven on to 475°F. Get an 18 x 13-inch baking sheet and lightly coat it with cooking spray before adding parchment paper. In a big bowl, blend together yeast, powdered milk, flour, sugar, and salt until mixed. Pour in warm water and oil, then use a wooden spoon to stir. Work the dough gently over the pan with your fingers. If it pushes back, let it sit for 5 minutes before continuing. Pop it in the oven for 8–10 minutes, just until it starts to set. Take it out and let it cool.

Step 02

Toss the sausage and ground chuck into a hot skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Break it apart as it cooks until it’s browned and crumbly. Pour off any extra grease and put the meat aside.

Step 03

In a pan, stir together the tomato paste, olive oil, garlic, water, oregano, rosemary, basil, pepper, and salt. Let it simmer so the flavors come together. Making it ahead of time is even tastier.

Step 04

Spread the sauce across the par-baked crust. Add the cooked meat on top, then finish it off with grated mozzarella cheese.

Step 05

Put the pizza back in the oven at 475°F. Bake it for 8–10 minutes, or until the cheese is nicely melted and golden. Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing it up to serve.

Tools You'll Need

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