Description
Lunch Lady Pizza is a homemade classic pizza recipe featuring a soft and chewy crust, savory tomato sauce seasoned with Italian herbs, and a generous blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Perfectly balanced and easy to make, this recipe yields 8 to 10 slices of delicious pizza that bring the taste of a traditional pizzeria to your home kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough
- 1 package (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 3/4 cup warm water (about 110°F)
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
For the Sauce
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Toppings
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: 1/2 cup cooked sausage, pepperoni, or vegetables (for added toppings)
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water (about 110°F), then sprinkle the active dry yeast on top. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Mix the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, and optional garlic powder. Add the foamy yeast mixture and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Stir all ingredients together until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic, which develops gluten for structure and chewiness.
- Let the Dough Rise: Place the kneaded dough into a greased bowl. Cover it with a clean kitchen towel and leave it to rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small saucepan or bowl, mix the tomato sauce with dried oregano, dried basil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Stir well to combine the flavors.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C), allowing it to become hot enough for a crispy crust.
- Shape the Dough: Once risen, punch down the dough and roll it out onto a lightly floured surface to fit your pizza pan or baking sheet. Transfer the dough to the pan.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Spread the prepared tomato sauce evenly over the dough. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan evenly on top. Add any optional toppings like cooked sausage, pepperoni, or vegetables if desired.
- Bake the Pizza: Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden and the crust is cooked through.
- Serve: Remove from the oven, let the pizza cool for a couple of minutes, then slice and serve warm.
Notes
- For a crispier crust, prebake the rolled-out dough for 5 minutes before adding sauce and toppings.
- Use room temperature water for activating the yeast; too hot water can kill the yeast and too cold water will not activate it.
- You can substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a healthier crust.
- Store leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat pizza slices in an oven or toaster oven to maintain crispiness rather than microwave reheating.
