Description
Lunch Lady Pizza is a nostalgic, school cafeteria-style pizza that brings back fond memories of childhood lunches. With a thick, soft crust, tangy pizza sauce, and a generous layer of melted mozzarella, this pizza is easy to make and perfect for feeding a crowd. Ideal for parties, family dinners, or just a fun pizza night at home!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pizza Dough:
- 1 package (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 3/4 cup warm water (about 110°F)
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
For the Pizza Sauce:
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Toppings:
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: 1/2 cup cooked sausage, pepperoni, or vegetables (for added toppings)
Instructions
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1. Prepare the Pizza Dough:
- In a small bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water, then sprinkle the yeast on top. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes, or until it becomes foamy.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, and garlic powder (if using). Add the yeast mixture and olive oil, then stir to combine.
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5-7 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise for 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
2. Prepare the Pizza Sauce:
- While the dough is rising, prepare the pizza sauce by combining the tomato sauce, oregano, basil, garlic powder, onion powder, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Stir to combine and set aside.
3. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven to preheat as well.
4. Assemble the Pizza:
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out into a rectangle or square shape to fit a greased 9×13-inch baking pan (you can also use a baking sheet).
- Transfer the dough to the prepared pan and press it out to cover the bottom evenly.
- Spread a generous layer of pizza sauce over the dough.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce. Add any additional toppings such as sausage or vegetables at this point, if desired.
- Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the top.
5. Bake the Pizza:
- Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and melted.
6. Serve:
- Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing into squares or rectangles.
- Serve warm and enjoy your delicious Lunch Lady Pizza!
Notes
- Toppings: Feel free to customize the pizza with your favorite toppings. This pizza is very versatile, and you can add anything from pepperoni to vegetables, or keep it simple with just cheese.
- Dough: You can make the dough ahead of time and let it rise in the fridge overnight for added flavor.
- Crust Variations: If you prefer a thinner or thicker crust, you can adjust the amount of dough you roll out or let the dough rise for a longer period.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 460mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 25mg