School Cafeteria Pizza
School Cafeteria Pizza is a comforting and nostalgic meal loved by kids and families alike. Featuring a chewy pizza dough base topped with tangy tomato sauce, gooey melted mozzarella cheese, and classic pepperoni slices, it’s a simple yet crowd-pleasing recipe. Easy to customize for various tastes and dietary needs, it’s perfect for quick dinners or packed lunchboxes that reheat beautifully.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Total Time: 22-25 minutes
- Yield: 8 slices 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Base
- 1 store-bought or homemade pizza dough (about 12-inch diameter)
Sauce
- About 1/2 cup smooth marinara or classic pizza sauce
Cheese and Toppings
- 1 1/2 to 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup pepperoni slices (or alternative toppings)
Finishing Touches
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for brushing crust)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano (for sprinkling)
- Prepare the Dough: Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface until it reaches about 12 inches in diameter. Carefully transfer it to a greased baking sheet or pizza stone to prevent sticking.
- Add the Sauce: Spread a generous layer of tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges so the crust can puff up and crisp.
- Layer the Cheese and Toppings: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over the sauce. Then, arrange pepperoni slices or your chosen toppings to cover the pizza, ensuring every slice will have delicious flavor.
- Add Finishing Touches: Lightly brush olive oil around the crust edges and sprinkle dried oregano over the entire pizza to infuse an authentic pizza aroma and flavor.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the pizza in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the crust turns golden brown.
Notes
- Use room temperature dough for easier stretching and a fluffier crust.
- Don’t overload toppings to maintain even cooking and a crisp crust.
- Preheat your oven fully to ensure perfect crust crispiness and cheese melting.
- For richer flavor, add a sprinkle of Parmesan or Romano cheese before baking.
- Let the pizza rest a few minutes after baking before slicing to allow cheese to set.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 560mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: School Cafeteria Pizza, kid-friendly pizza, classic pizza recipe, easy pizza, homemade pizza, pepperoni pizza, lunchbox pizza