In the small town of Springfield, Ohio, in the late 1970s, elementary school lunches were a daily ritual for young Timmy. However, there was one particular day that stood out in his memory, a day that became the stuff of legend among his classmates—school pizza day in 1978.
It was a chilly Wednesday in October, and the anticipation in the air was palpable as the lunch bell rang. Timmy, along with his friends, rushed into the cafeteria, their excitement building with every step. The aroma of freshly baked pizza wafted through the air, signaling a lunchtime treat that was considered the pinnacle of culinary excellence in the eyes of elementary school kids.
The lunch lady, Mrs. Johnson, known for her warm smile and gentle demeanor, served each student a rectangular slice of pizza, carefully placing it on their tray. The crust was perfectly golden, and the cheese bubbled with a tantalizing allure. Timmy’s taste buds danced with anticipation as he took his first bite.
The school pizza was a delightful medley of flavors, with a tangy tomato sauce, gooey melted cheese, and a crust that struck the right balance between crispy and chewy. It was a slice of heaven that transported the kids to a world of gastronomic delight.
As the kids savored each bite, the cafeteria buzzed with animated conversations about the magic of school pizza. Some traded lunch items just to secure an extra slice, while others exchanged tales of how they would convince their parents to recreate the masterpiece at home.
Years passed, but the memory of that extraordinary school pizza day lingered in Timmy’s mind. In 2023, he stumbled upon an old photo album, and a flood of nostalgia washed over him. The faded pictures captured the joyous faces of children savoring their pizza slices, forever frozen in time.
Reflecting on that cherished memory, Timmy smiled, grateful for the simple joys that school pizza brought to his childhood. It was a taste of camaraderie, laughter, and the unmistakable flavor of a slice that had become a timeless treasure in the annals of elementary school lore.
School Pizza Recipe
Ingredients
FOR THE CRUST:
2 ⅔ flour
¾ cup powdered milk
2 tablespoons sugar
1 packet of quick rise yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1 ⅔ cup warm water (105-110 degrees)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
FOR THE FILLING:
½ pound ground chuck
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1 8oz block mozzarella cheese – grated yourself (to be authentic school pizza, you will have to use imitation mozzarella shreds)
FOR THE SAUCE (You can make the sauce the day before):
6oz can tomato paste
1 cup water
⅓ olive oil
2 cloves garlic minced
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
½ tablespoon dried oregano
½ tablespoon dried basil
½ teaspoon dried rosemary crushed
How to make
Step 1: Prepare the oven. Preheat it to 475 degrees.
Step 2: Use a pam to spray the pan before laying it with parchment paper.
Step 3: Whisk the flour, powdered milk, sugar, yeast, and salt in a large bowl.
Step 4: Add in oil into a 110 to 115 degrees hot water and pour it into the flour mixture.
Step 5: Use a wooden spoon to stir the mixture until a batter forms. There will be lumps and that’s okay, what we don’t want is dry spots so mix the mixture well.
Step 6: Transfer the dough into the prepared pan and with your finger spread it until it is even. If the dough is hard to spread, let it rest for at least 5 minutes and try again.
Step 7: Place inside the preheated oven and bake for about 8 to 10 minutes. Once done, remove from the oven and set aside.
Step 8: Brown the meat in a skillet at medium heat until it resembles crumbles. Make sure to repeatedly stir the meat. Once the meat is no longer pink, drain the grease and set aside.
Step 9: To make the pizza sauce, place the 6oz can tomato paste, 1 cup water, ⅓ olive oil, 2 cloves minced garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, ½ tablespoon dried oregano, ½ tablespoon dried basil, and ½ teaspoon crushed dried rosemary in a saucepan. Cook over low to medium heat, stirring frequently. Sprinkle in some salt to taste. Let the sauce simmer for about 20 to 30 minutes until the tomato sauce thickened.
Step 10: Spread the sauce all over the crust, sprinkle the meat on top, then the cheese.
Step 11: Place inside the preheated oven and bake for about 8 to 10 minutes until the crust begins to brown and the cheese is melted.
Step 12: Remove the pizza from the oven and allow it to rest for at least 5 minutes.
Step 13: When ready, slice, and serve. Enjoy!
NOTE:
You can make the pizza sauce ahead. Just store it in the fridge and take it out when ready to use.
Nutrition facts:
282kcal per slice | 24g carbohydrates | 15g fat | 13g protein | 514mg sodium | 298IU vitamin A
