Bringing Back Memories: Lunch Lady Pizza Recipe for Your Next Sheet Pan Delight

Photo byPatricia Baker

If you grew up enjoying pizza days in the school cafeteria, then Lunch Lady Pizza is likely a dish filled with nostalgia. This sheet pan pizza, often served in rectangles, combines a soft, slightly sweet crust with layers of savory toppings, and is perfect for feeding a crowd. Though it was once a staple in lunchrooms across the country, you can recreate this classic at home with fresh ingredients for an upgraded yet familiar experience.

Lunch Lady Pizza is all about comfort food. The crust is soft, thanks to the use of nonfat dry milk powder, which gives it a tender texture while adding a richness to the dough. Topped with a simple, hearty sauce, melty mozzarella cheese, and a mix of ground beef and Italian sausage, this pizza is just as delicious today as it was back in the school cafeteria. Whether you're making it for a family dinner, game day, or just a trip down memory lane, this sheet pan pizza is sure to please everyone at the table.

Recipe: Lunch Lady Sheet Pan Pizza

Ingredients:

For the Crust:

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

For the Toppings:

• 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:

1. Preheat the Oven: Heat your oven to 475°F. Lightly coat a rimmed baking sheet (18x13 inches) with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and sprinkle with cornmeal to prevent the crust from sticking.
2. Prepare the Dough: In a mixer, combine flour, dry milk powder, salt, sugar, and yeast. Slowly add 1⅔ cups of warm water and 2 tablespoons of olive oil, mixing on low speed until a smooth dough forms. Add more water if needed. Spread the dough evenly onto the prepared baking sheet. Let it rest for 10 minutes.
3. Bake the Crust: Bake the dough for about 10-12 minutes until it starts to turn golden brown.
4. Cook the Meat: While the crust bakes, brown the ground beef and sausage in a skillet. Drain excess grease.
5. Assemble the Pizza: Spread pizza sauce over the baked crust, then sprinkle with 2 cups of mozzarella. Evenly distribute the cooked meat mixture and top with the remaining 2 cups of cheese. Finally, sprinkle with dried Italian seasoning.
6. Final Bake: Bake for another 10-12 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden. Remove from the oven and let the pizza cool slightly before cutting into 12 rectangular slices.

The Pizza of Your Childhood, Reinvented

The beauty of Lunch Lady Pizza lies in its simplicity and nostalgic flavors. It's a recipe that takes you back to simpler times but offers an opportunity for creativity, too. Whether you stick to the original beef and sausage combo or add your favorite toppings, this pizza is bound to become a family favorite. Plus, making it in a sheet pan ensures that everyone gets a satisfying slice.

Serve it up for a casual family meal or a fun weekend treat, and watch as the memories—and the compliments—start rolling in.

Lunch Lady Sheet Pan Pizza Recipe:

1. Piecrust & Pasta - Provides a detailed take on homemade sheet pan pizza, including insights on dough preparation and sauce selection​(PiecrustandPasta).
2. Margin Making Mom - Offers a school cafeteria pizza recipe, highlighting important tips like spreading the sauce and using the right type of cheese​(Margin Making Mom®).
3. Just A Pinch Recipes - A classic Lunch Lady pizza recipe with a step-by-step guide and ingredient list​(Just A Pinch Recipes).
4. Princess Pinky Girl - Features a similar recipe for sheet pan pizza, with helpful cooking tips for achieving that perfect school cafeteria look and taste​(Princess Pinky Girl).

These websites provide various versions of the Lunch Lady Pizza recipe, along with useful tips for making it at home!