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Lunch Lady Pizza

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This classic Lunch Lady Pizza recipe is the ultimate school cafeteria-inspired pizza. With a soft and chewy crust, savory ground beef and Italian sausage topping, and gooey mozzarella cheese, it’s a crowd-pleasing comfort food for any occasion!

Ingredients

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For the Pizza Crust:

  • 2¾ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup instant nonfat dry milk powder
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1⅔–2 cups warm (105°F) water
  • 2½ tbsp granulated sugar
  • 0.25 ounce packet (2½ teaspoons) rapid-rise yeast (instant yeast)
  • 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided
  • 2 tbsp yellow cornmeal

For the Topping:

  • ½ pound lean ground beef
  • ½ pound mild Italian sausage
  • 1¾ cup pizza sauce
  • 4 cups freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning

Instructions

  • Prepare the Pizza Crust:
    • Preheat the oven to 475°F (245°C). Coat the entire surface of an 18×13-inch rimmed baking sheet with 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Sprinkle the surface with yellow cornmeal to prevent the crust from sticking. Set aside.
    • In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, combine the all-purpose flour, instant nonfat dry milk, salt, granulated sugar, and rapid-rise yeast. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
    • With the mixer on low, slowly pour in the warm water. Start with 1⅔ cups, adding more water 1 tablespoon at a time if needed (up to 2 cups). The dough should have a thick, pourable consistency, like a thick pancake batter.
    • Mix on low for 2-3 minutes, until smooth with a few small lumps. Pour the batter into the prepared baking sheet and spread it evenly to cover the surface. Let the dough rest in the pan for 10 minutes.
    • Bake the pizza crust on the lower rack of your oven for 10-12 minutes, or until it starts to turn golden.
  • Prepare the Topping:
    • While the crust is baking, heat a large 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the ground beef and mild Italian sausage for 7-8 minutes, breaking up the meat as it cooks, until no pink remains. Transfer the cooked meat to a paper towel-lined plate and set it aside.
  • Assemble and Bake the Pizza:
    • Once the crust has baked, remove it from the oven and spread the pizza sauce evenly over the top.
    • Sprinkle 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
    • Evenly distribute the cooked meat over the cheese.
    • Top the meat with the remaining 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese, then sprinkle with dried Italian seasoning.
    • Return the pizza to the oven and bake for an additional 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
    • Carefully slice the pizza into 12 rectangular pieces and serve.

Notes

  • This recipe makes a large sheet pan pizza perfect for feeding a crowd.
  • You can customize the toppings with vegetables or other meats of your choice.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://easyfoodflash.com/lunch-lady-pizza/