Homemade School Cafeteria Pizza Recipe

Introduction

This homemade school cafeteria pizza brings back nostalgic flavors with a crispy, cheesy crust that’s perfect for lunch or dinner. It’s easy to customize with your favorite toppings and makes a kid-friendly meal that everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons cornmeal
• 1 recipe of homemade pizza dough or 1 lb refrigerated pizza dough
• 1/2 to 1 cup pizza sauce, to taste
• 2 to 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• Additional toppings of choice (pepperoni, cooked sausage, ground beef, diced peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms, olives, ham, pineapple, fresh basil, etc.)
• Optional: garlic powder, dried oregano

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 475°F. Add olive oil to a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan and use a brush to spread it evenly over the bottom. Sprinkle the cornmeal across the oiled surface to prevent sticking and add texture.
2. Step 2: Press the pizza dough into the pan, stretching it carefully to cover the entire surface as much as possible.
3. Step 3: Spread pizza sauce evenly over the dough, reaching all the way to the edges. Adjust the amount of sauce based on your taste preferences.
4. Step 4: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce, covering it completely. Use more or less cheese depending on how cheesy you like your pizza. For this size, 3 cups is typical, but 2 cups works if you plan to add many toppings.
5. Step 5: Add any additional toppings you desire. If you like, finish with a sprinkle of garlic powder and dried oregano for extra flavor.
6. Step 6: Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the crust is golden brown.
7. Step 7: Remove from oven and let the pizza cool slightly before cutting it into rectangles. Use a standard pizza cutter or a bench scraper for clean, straight cuts.

Tips & Variations

• Use cornmeal under the dough to get a crispier crust and prevent sticking.
• For a lighter pizza, reduce the amount of cheese or add more vegetables instead of meat toppings.
• Add fresh basil after baking for a burst of fresh flavor.
• Try different cheeses like cheddar or provolone for a unique twist.

Storage

Store leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat slices in the oven or toaster oven at 350°F for 5 to 7 minutes to maintain crispness. Avoid microwaving to prevent a soggy crust.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen pizza dough for this recipe?

Yes, frozen dough works well. Just thaw it according to package instructions before pressing it into the pan.

How can I make the crust more crispy?

Make sure to spread cornmeal on the pan before adding the dough, and bake the pizza on a lower rack in the oven to encourage a crispier bottom crust.

Homemade School Cafeteria Pizza Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 466 reviews

• Author: Isabella
• Total Time: 25-27 minutes
• Yield: 12 servings (1 rectangular slice per serving) 1x

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Description

This Homemade School Cafeteria Pizza recipe recreates the classic thick, rectangular pizza often served in school cafeterias. Featuring a crispy crust with a tender inside, topped with a trusty layer of pizza sauce, melty mozzarella cheese, and your choice of favorite toppings, this recipe is perfect for family dinners or a fun homemade pizza night.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Dough and Base

• 2 TBSP olive oil
• 2 TBSP cornmeal
• 1 recipe of homemade pizza dough or 1 lb of refrigerated pizza dough from your local grocery’s deli department

Toppings

• 1/2 – 1 cup pizza sauce, to taste
• 2–3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• Additional toppings of choice, if desired: pepperoni, cooked sausage or ground beef, diced peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms, olives, ham, pineapple, fresh basil, etc.
• Optional: garlic powder, dried oregano

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Instructions

1. Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). Add the olive oil to a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan and use a brush to spread it evenly over the bottom. Then sprinkle the cornmeal over the oiled surface to create a subtly crunchy crust.
2. Shape the dough: Press your prepared pizza dough into the pan, stretching it carefully to fit the entire surface area as evenly as possible. This creates the classic rectangular school pizza shape.
3. Add sauce: Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the entire surface of the dough, going all the way to the edges. Adjust the amount based on your preference for a saucier or lighter pizza.
4. Layer cheese and toppings: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the sauce, extending it to the edges. For this size pizza, about 3 cups is ideal, but reduce to 2 cups if adding more toppings. Add any additional toppings you like. Optionally, sprinkle garlic powder and dried oregano on top for extra flavor.
5. Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. Cool and slice: Remove the pizza from the oven and allow it to cool slightly for easier slicing. Cut into rectangular pieces using a standard pizza cutter or a bench scraper for clean, straight edges.

Notes

• You can customize this pizza with your favorite toppings, making it perfect for picky eaters or to use up leftover ingredients.
• Using refrigerated dough from the grocery deli is a convenient shortcut if you don’t want to make dough from scratch.
• Baking at a high temperature ensures a crispy bottom crust and bubbly cheese on top.
• Allowing the pizza to cool slightly before cutting helps prevent cheese from sliding around.
• Cornmeal on the pan prevents sticking and adds a pleasant texture to the crust.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: school cafeteria pizza, homemade pizza, rectangular pizza, easy pizza recipe, pizza with mozzarella, classic pizza