Author: deesviral
Cuisine: American
Category: Dinner / Main Course
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes (plus rise time)
Yield: 12 slices
Ingredients
For the Dough:
2¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
1 cup warm water (110°F)
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons oil (vegetable or olive oil)
2½ cups all-purpose flour
For the Topping:
1 pound ground beef
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Instructions
In a large bowl, mix warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
Stir in salt, oil, and flour. Mix until a soft dough forms. Knead for 5–6 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Grease a large sheet pan or rectangular baking tray.
Roll or press dough evenly into the prepared pan.
In a skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat. Drain excess fat. Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and tomato sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes.
Spread the meat sauce evenly over the dough. Top with shredded mozzarella and optional cheddar.
Bake for 18–22 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Cool slightly, slice into rectangles, and serve hot for the full school lunch experience.
Troubleshooting & Consistency Tips
Dough not rising? Make sure your yeast is fresh and your water is warm (not hot).
Crust too thick? Press dough thinner or use a larger pan next time.
Dry pizza? Don’t overbake. Check at the 18-minute mark for doneness.
Storage & Make-Ahead
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in oven or microwave.
Freezer: Freeze slices for up to 2 months. Wrap individually in foil or plastic and freeze flat.
Make-Ahead: Dough can be made ahead and refrigerated overnight. Let come to room temp before using.
Why This Recipe Works
This classic cafeteria-style pizza is all about simplicity and satisfaction. The soft crust, savory beef sauce, and stretchy cheese topping bring back comforting childhood memories while delivering full flavor. deesviral’s version stays true to the original and is easy to recreate at home with pantry staples and one pan.