School Cafeteria Pizza
also known as Lunch Lady Pizza. Pizza day was my favorite lunch day at school hands down. Could this be where my love for pizza happened? I love this crust. Top it anyway you want.
Ingredients
- 1 packet dry active yeast (2 1/4 tsp)
- 1 cup warm water (110 degrees)
- 1 tsp white granulated sugar
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 TBS olive oil
Toppings
- 1/3 - 1/2 cup pizza sauce, pasta sauce or homemade sauce
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded (DIVIDED)
- 1/2 yellow onion, sliced thin
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced thin
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage such as JImmy Dean
Try different toppings such as pepperoni, mushrooms, olives, ham, pineapple, hamburger
Instructions
- In a small bowl whisk together warm water, yeast and sugar. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until it starts to get foamy. (NOTE: place towel over it to stay warm.)
- In a large bowl whisk together flour and salt. Using a wooden spoon mix in olive oil and yeast mixture until you get a shaggy dough.
- Place dough on a lightly floured work surface and knead for 5 minutes until soft and elastic. Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl and roll the dough ball around until covered. Place plastic wrap over bowl and let dough rise and double in size for about 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile prepare toppings. Brown sausage with peppers and onions. Add onions as optional ingredient.
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place risen dough on a parchment lined large sheet pan (11 x 17) and press dough evenly to cover pan.
- Spread pizza sauce evenly over dough leaving an edging for crust. Sprinkle with 6 oz of mozzarella shredded cheese. Place remaining toppings all over the cheese. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
- Bake in preheated oven for 12-15 minutes until cheese has melted and crust is golden brown. Slice and serve immediately.