Description
Homemade classic cafeteria-style pizza revives cherished school lunch memories with its simple, comforting charm. Crispy crust, melted cheese, and familiar toppings invite you to savor a slice of childhood happiness.
Ingredients
Scale
Pizza Base:
- 1 recipe of homemade pizza dough or 1 pound (454 grams) of refrigerated pizza dough
- 2 tablespoons cornmeal
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Cheese and Sauce:
- 2–3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2–1 cup pizza sauce
Seasonings and Optional Toppings:
- Garlic powder (optional)
- Dried oregano (optional)
- Additional toppings: pepperoni, cooked sausage, ground beef, diced peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms, olives, ham, pineapple, fresh basil (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the baking surface by generously coating a 10×15″ jellyroll pan with olive oil, ensuring complete coverage with a pastry brush. Dust the oiled surface with cornmeal for added texture and crispiness.
- Gently stretch the pizza dough to completely fill the pan, pressing and manipulating the edges to create an even, uniform layer that reaches all corners.
- Distribute tomato sauce across the entire dough surface, carefully spreading it from edge to edge to guarantee consistent flavor in every bite.
- Liberally scatter mozzarella cheese over the sauce, allowing it to blanket the entire pizza with a generous, melty layer that promises rich, creamy coverage.
- Customize your pizza by adding preferred toppings such as pepperoni, mushrooms, or bell peppers. Enhance the flavor profile by sprinkling dried oregano and a light dusting of garlic powder.
- Position the pizza in a preheated oven at 475°F and bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for a golden-brown crust and bubbling, slightly crisp cheese.
- Remove from the oven and allow the pizza to rest for a few minutes. Use a pizza cutter or bench scraper to slice into clean, precise rectangular portions for serving.
Notes
- Cornmeal Trick: Sprinkle cornmeal before pressing dough to create a crispy, golden bottom crust with delightful texture and prevent sticking.
- Cheese Flexibility: Adjust cheese quantity based on topping preferences, typically using 2-3 cups for balanced coverage without overwhelming the pizza.
- Temperature Precision: Maintain high oven temperature at 475F to achieve crispy exterior and perfectly cooked interior, ensuring restaurant-quality results.
- Cutting Technique: Use bench scraper or pizza cutter for clean, straight-edged slices that maintain the classic cafeteria-style presentation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg