Description
Enjoy a classic Lunch Lady Pizza with a homemade yeast dough, flavorful tomato sauce seasoned with herbs and spices, topped generously with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Perfectly crispy and cheesy, this pizza is great for lunch or dinner and can be customized with your favorite toppings like sausage, pepperoni, or vegetables.
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
- Prepare the Yeast: In a small bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water (about 110°F), then sprinkle the active dry yeast over the top. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Make 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 to combine into a sticky dough.
- Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Let the Dough Rise: Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a clean kitchen towel. Allow it to rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Prepare the Sauce: Combine tomato sauce, dried oregano, dried basil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon olive oil in a bowl. Mix well to blend the flavors.
- Preheat the Oven and Shape Dough: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface to fit your baking pan or pizza stone.
- Assemble the Pizza: Spread the prepared tomato sauce evenly over the rolled-out dough. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan over the sauce. Add any optional toppings such as cooked sausage, pepperoni, or vegetables.
- Bake the Pizza: Place the assembled pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
- Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven, let it cool for a few minutes, then slice and serve warm.
Notes
- For a crispier crust, bake the pizza on a preheated pizza stone.
- Feel free to customize toppings with your favorites such as mushrooms, bell peppers, or olives.
- Make sure the water is not too hot when activating yeast, or it may kill the yeast.
- Allow the dough to rise in a warm, draft-free area for best results.
- Leftover pizza can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven for a crispy finish.
