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Nostalgic School Pizza

Featured in Main Meals Everyone Enjoys.

This school pizza takes you straight to your childhood cafeteria. Start by pre-baking the crust for 8-10 minutes. Add layers of flavorful sauce, browned meats, and lots of gooey cheese. Toss it back in the oven till it’s bubbly and golden brown. Super simple, incredibly satisfying, and perfect for the whole family. Crispy, cheesy, and packed with nostalgia!
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Una donna con un cappello a coda di cavallo e un vestito nero.
Updated on Thu, 20 Mar 2025 21:20:41 GMT
Nostalgic School Pizza Pin it
Nostalgic School Pizza | kylierecipes.com

Bringing back those sweet lunch hour memories, this sheet pan pizza captures that unforgettable taste and bite that made school mealtimes exciting. With its chewy base, flavorful meat topping, and stretchy cheese, you'll feel like you're back in the cafeteria line all over again, right from your own cooking space.

I've whipped this up so many times when relatives visit, and it always gets everyone talking about their school days. The big rectangle shape and that special texture puts a grin on everybody's face without fail.

Key Components and Smart Selection Advice

  • All-purpose flour: Gives you that unique dense but stretchy bite
  • Powdered milk: The secret to nailing that school pizza taste we remember
  • Quick-rise yeast: Gets the job done without waiting around forever
  • Italian sausage & ground chuck: This meat duo creates that spot-on taste
  • Block mozzarella (not pre-shredded): Makes for better melt and those fun cheese pulls
  • Tomato paste: Brings rich flavor and the right thickness to your sauce

Step-by-Step Cooking Breakdown

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 your yeast wakes up properly. Don't overmix - some bumps actually help the texture. If the dough fights back when spreading, let it sit a bit.
Step 2: Initial Bake (8-10 minutes)
Cooking the crust first makes all the difference in texture. Look for tiny browning at the edges. Take it out while mostly pale to avoid overdoing it.
Step 3: Meat Preparation (15 minutes)
Cook both meats together so flavors can mingle. Break it into tiny bits as you go. Drain off all the 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 evenly across the whole thing. Layer cheese to cover everything. Bake until you see little golden spots on the cheese.

My kid can't get enough of the powdered milk in this dish - it's what gives the crust that special softness and taste we can't forget from our school lunch days.

Prep-Ahead Perks

This dish works even better with some planning. The sauce tastes richer when it sits overnight, and you can make the dough and keep it in your fridge for a full day. This works great for busy household schedules while making sure everything tastes amazing.

Keeping It Fresh

This school-style pizza stays nice and tasty much better than delivery when you store it right. Wrap each piece in some foil and keep in your fridge for up to three days. Warm it back up in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes to bring back that just-baked texture without getting the sogginess you'd get from using the microwave.

Ways To Switch It Up

While this pizza brings back that classic school lunch feeling, you can easily change it around. Try mixing different cheeses, throwing on veggies like peppers or mushrooms, or switching up your meat choices. The sturdy base handles extra toppings really well while keeping that nostalgic flavor we all think back on.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What makes this nostalgic school pizza unique?
It's a homemade recreation of classic school pizza with a crust, sauce, and toppings packed full of memories.
→ Is it okay to prep the sauce early?
Definitely! Making the sauce the day before gives it an even richer taste and saves you time later.
→ Which meats work best for the topping?
Ground chuck and Italian sausage are great picks, but you can use your favorites or go meat-free.
→ How many minutes should the crust bake first?
Bake the crust for about 8-10 minutes at 475°F so it’s firm before you add toppings.
→ What kind of cheese fits best?
Mozzarella melts beautifully, but you can try out different blends if you prefer.

Nostalgic School Pizza

Make this memory-filled school pizza effortlessly, featuring a golden crust, meaty filling, and sauce everyone will love.

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

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian-American

Yield: 6 Servings

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Crust

01 1 2/3 cups warm water (around 110–115°F)
02 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
03 2 2/3 cups plain flour
04 3/4 cup dry milk powder
05 1 teaspoon salt
06 1 packet of instant yeast
07 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

→ Filling

08 1/2 pound ground beef (chuck)
09 1 block (8 ounces) mozzarella cheese
10 1/2 teaspoon table salt
11 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
12 1/2 pound Italian sausage

→ Sauce

13 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
14 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
15 1 teaspoon table salt
16 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
17 1 1/2 cups water
18 2 minced garlic cloves
19 1/2 tablespoon crushed basil
20 1/2 tablespoon oregano flakes
21 1/2 teaspoon rosemary leaves (dried)

Instructions

Step 01

Set your oven to 475°F to preheat. Spray an 18 x 13-inch baking tray lightly with cooking oil, then line it with parchment paper. In a big bowl, whisk together the flour, milk powder, sugar, yeast, and salt until smooth. Add in the warm water and oil, then stir with a wooden spoon till it becomes a wet dough. Spread the mixture evenly across the tray with your fingertips. If it's too sticky or hard to spread, let it rest for 5 minutes and try again. Bake the crust halfway through for about 8–10 minutes and then pull it out to cool.

Step 02

In a skillet, cook the sausage and ground chuck until they crumble apart and turn brown. Toss in some salt and pepper while cooking. Drain out the extra grease and set it aside.

Step 03

Mix tomato paste, water, oil, garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, basil, and rosemary together in a pot. Stir well and simmer so the flavors mix. This works best if you make it the day ahead.

Step 04

Spread the cooled crust with the ready sauce. Next, layer on the cooked meat mixture and top with grated mozzarella.

Step 05

Pop the assembled pizza back into the oven at 475°F. Bake until the cheese is bubbly and golden, about 8–10 minutes. Take it out, let it sit for 5 minutes, and then slice it up to serve.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large baking tray (18 x 13-inch)
  • Mixing bowl
  • Wooden mixing spoon
  • Piece of parchment paper
  • Cooking skillet

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Flour (gluten)
  • Milk (dairy products like 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: ~