Lunch Lady Pizza
A nostalgic and hearty pizza with a thick crust, savory toppings, and gooey cheese, perfect for families or feeding a crowd.
Ingredients
Dough
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup nonfat dry milk powder
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 2/3 – 2 cups warm water Make sure the water is warm but not too hot.
- 2 1/2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 0.25 oz rapid-rise yeast
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp yellow cornmeal
Toppings
- 1/2 lb lean ground beef Can be substituted with other meats.
- 1/2 lb mild Italian sausage Can add spicy sausage for heat.
- 1 3/4 cup pizza sauce Can use pesto or white sauce for variation.
- 4 cups mozzarella cheese Option to use different cheese types.
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
Instructions
Preparation
- In a large bowl, combine flour, dry milk, and salt. Stir to mix well.
- In a separate bowl, mix warm water, sugar, and yeast; let it sit for a few minutes until foamy.
- Add the yeast mixture and olive oil to the flour mixture. Mix until a dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for about 5 minutes until smooth.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl; cover and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Baking
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Roll out the dough and place it on a greased baking sheet, sprinkling the cornmeal on the bottom.
- Brown the ground beef and Italian sausage in a skillet. Drain excess fat.
- Spread pizza sauce over the crust, add the cooked meats, and top with mozzarella cheese and Italian seasoning.
- Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
- Let cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze individual slices wrapped well in plastic wrap.