Ingredients for the Perfect School Pizza
Crust Ingredients:
2 2/3 cups of all-purpose flour
3/4 cup powdered milk
2 tablespoons sugar
1 package quick-rise yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1 2/3 cups warm water (110-115°F)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Filling Ingredients:
1/2 lb Italian sausage (crumbled)
1/2 lb ground chuck (beef)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (8 oz) block mozzarella cheese (shredded)
Homemade Pizza Sauce (Best Made the Day Before):
1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
1 1/2 cups water
1/3 cup olive oil
2 cloves garlic (minced)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 tablespoon dried oregano
1/2 tablespoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
Step-by-Step Instructions for the Best School Pizza Ever
1. Preparing the Pizza Crust:
To start, preheat your oven to 475°F to ensure the crust bakes evenly and gets that perfect crispy texture.
Prepare the Baking Sheet: Spray an 18×13-inch sheet pan with cooking spray (like Pam), then line it with parchment paper to prevent the crust from sticking and to make cleanup easier.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the flour, powdered milk, sugar, yeast, and salt. Whisk them together until fully incorporated.
Add Wet Ingredients: Pour the warm water (110-115°F) into the mixture, followed by the vegetable oil. Stir everything together with a wooden spoon until the dough begins to form. Don’t worry if there are some lumps — just ensure there are no dry spots of flour.
Shape the Dough: Turn the dough out onto your prepared sheet pan. Use your fingertips to gently spread the dough evenly across the pan. If the dough is stubborn and doesn’t want to stretch, let it rest for about 5 minutes to relax the gluten, and then try again.
Pre-Bake the Crust: Place the pan in the oven and bake the dough for 8-10 minutes. You don’t want it to be fully baked yet, just a light golden brown crust. Once done, remove it from the oven and set it aside to cool.
Preparing the Pizza Filling:
While your crust is baking, get the filling ready.
Cook the Meats: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the Italian sausage and ground chuck. Break up the meat as it cooks so that it resembles small crumbles. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Once browned, drain off any excess fat and set the meat aside.
Making the Homemade Pizza Sauce (Optional but Highly Recommended!):
The key to that authentic school pizza taste is in the sauce. It’s easy to make, and I recommend preparing it a day in advance to allow the flavors to develop.
Prepare the Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine the tomato paste and water. Stir in the olive oil, minced garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, basil, and rosemary. Let the sauce simmer over low heat for about 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Allow the sauce to cool completely before using. For the best flavor, let it sit overnight!
4. Assembling the Pizza:
Once the crust is partially baked and the filling ingredients are ready, it’s time to assemble the pizza!
Spread the Sauce: Evenly spread your homemade pizza sauce over the crust, making sure it covers the entire surface.
Add the Meat: Sprinkle the browned sausage and ground chuck mixture evenly over the sauce.
Top with Cheese: Generously sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the meat. You can add extra cheese if you prefer a cheesier pizza.
5. Final Baking:
Bake the Pizza: Place the assembled pizza back in the oven and bake for another 8-10 minutes at 475°F. Keep an eye on it as the cheese starts to melt and bubble, turning golden brown.
Let it Rest: Once the pizza is done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes. This helps the cheese set, making it easier to slice.
6. Serve and Enjoy:
Cut the pizza into squares or slices, and serve it up! Whether you’re having it for lunch, dinner, or as a fun snack, this homemade school pizza is sure to bring back memories and satisfy everyone’s cravings.
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