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From Freezer Aisle to Pizzeria: What DiGiorno’s Frozen Pizza Rankings Teach Us About Real Pizza

This insightful article was inspired by content originally published on Mashed by Boshika Gupta,

Introduction

Ask any pizza lover DiGiorno has long ruled the frozen aisle, from late-night cravings to busy weeknight dinners. But the recent Mashed ranking of DiGiorno frozen pizzas from worst to best does more than just settle debates over which box to grab it reveals powerful insights about what modern consumers crave, what pizza suppliers must deliver, and how every pizza shop can up its game in 2025 and beyond.

So, let’s dig into the frozen truths behind DiGiorno’s lineup and reframe them through a piping-hot, pizza-centric lens designed just for you.

🍕 Why Do People Keep Buying DiGiorno?

It’s not delivery, it’s DiGiorno. That famous slogan works because it taps into a simple desire: frozen pizza that almost captures the magic of a pizzeria pie. In Mashed’s ranking, DiGiorno’s classics like Rising Crust Pepperoni or Stuffed Crust get praise for texture and toppings but even the best are miles behind the flavor, freshness, and craftsmanship of a handmade pizza.

Key takeaway: People want convenience but crave quality and that gap is every pizza maker’s opportunity.

🔥 For Pizza Enthusiasts

Don’t settle for a cardboard crust! If DiGiorno has you dreaming of better pizza nights, here’s how to upgrade from freezer aisle to fire-kissed flavor right in your own kitchen.

Get the Best Home Pizza Oven

DiGiorno tries to mimic that bubbling crust and crispy base but a Best Home Pizza Oven delivers the real deal. Top picks include the Ooni Koda Gas Oven for backyard parties or a classic Baking Steel for indoor use.

  • Keyword: best home pizza oven

Start with Quality Artisanal Pizza Ingredients

DiGiorno’s sauce can taste sugary and flat. Instead:

  • Use San Marzano tomatoes
  • Try high-fat fresh mozzarella or burrata
  • Add bold flavors: smoked pepperoni, pickled peppers, or local sausage
  • Keyword: artisanal pizza ingredients

Perfect Your Pizza Dough Recipe

Frozen pizza crust often tastes like cardboard because it’s par-baked and filled with preservatives. Instead:

  • Use a high-hydration pizza dough recipe with cold fermentation
  • Let it rise for 48 hours for big flavor
  • Finish with a brush of olive oil for golden edges

Pizza Pro Tip: Try adding a touch of whole wheat for extra chew!

  • Keyword: pizza dough recipe

Essential Pizza Making Tools

Level up your toolkit:

  • Pro Pizza Peel
  • Dough scraper and fermentation bins
  • Infrared Thermometer Gun to nail your stone or steel temp
  • Keyword: pizza making tools

🏭 For Pizza Suppliers

Frozen pizza is still a $6-billion dollar category in the U.S., and DiGiorno reigns supreme. But here’s what suppliers should see behind the shelves:

Room for Sustainable Pizza Sourcing

Consumers want more than mass-produced cheese and crust. There’s an untapped market for frozen pies made with locally sourced ingredients, heirloom grains, or regenerative dairy.

  • Keyword: sustainable pizza sourcing

nnovation in Commercial Pizza Equipment

The biggest frozen pizza brands rely on automated, high-volume lines but that tech is moving into smaller artisanal operations too:

  • High-Volume Commercial Dough Mixer
  • Automated sauce applicators for uniformity
  • Blast freezers for par-baked crusts
  • Keyword: commercial pizza equipment

The Next Wave in Food Service Technology Pizza

Want to compete with frozen? Suppliers can help shops offer tech that blends convenience with craft:

  • Seamless online ordering
  • Predictive inventory management
  • Consumer trend data
  • Keyword: food service technology pizza

🏪 For Pizza Shop Owners

Frozen pizza is convenient but real pizza shops have the human touch, fresh ingredients, and brand story that frozen pies can never match. Here’s how to beat the freezer aisle every time.

Focus on Pizza Shop Marketing Strategies

People buy DiGiorno because they know the name. Build your brand:

  • Run social polls: “Which pie beats DiGiorno every time?”
  • Post behind-the-scenes dough shots
  • Partner with local farms or breweries for collabs
  • Keyword: pizza shop marketing strategies

Dial In Restaurant Operational Efficiency

Frozen pizza wins on speed. So, make sure your kitchen does too:

  • Use an Integrated Pizza POS System to juggle dine-in, takeout, and delivery.
  • Automate online orders and loyalty points.
  • Add Pizza Delivery Software for smooth dispatch.
  • Keywords: pizza POS system, restaurant operational efficiency, pizza delivery software

Build Customer Loyalty Pizza Style

Frozen pizza might fill bellies, but it doesn’t build relationships. Keep your regulars hooked:

  • Host “Frozen Pizza Challenge” nights: Bring a frozen pie, compare with your fresh slices!
  • Reward frequent orders with exclusive deals.
  • Use personalized emails to remind them your pizza is always better hot from the oven.
  • Keyword: customer loyalty pizza

🍕 Broader Trends: Frozen Pizza vs. Fresh

A pizza industry insider told Pizza Magazine:

“DiGiorno shows there’s a massive market for convenience. The smart pizzerias are closing that gap offering online ordering, family-size take-and-bakes, and frozen par-baked pies made with real, local ingredients. That’s the future.”

Watch for:

  • Plant-based frozen pizzas rising fast
  • Better crust tech longer fermentation, sourdough starters, heritage wheat
  • Personalization gluten-free, keto, or stuffed crusts with real ingredients

🍕Final Slice

Whether you’re a pizza enthusiast, supplier, or shop owner take these DiGiorno lessons to heart:

✅ If you love frozen pizza, learn how to beat it at home: invest in a Best Home Pizza Oven, source premium artisanal pizza ingredients, and perfect your dough.

✅ If you’re a supplier, support restaurants with smarter commercial pizza equipment and sustainable pizza sourcing.

✅ If you run a shop, refine your pizza shop marketing strategies, streamline your systems with an Integrated Pizza POS System, and turn one-time customers into forever fans.

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This article contains affiliate links, which means Pizza Magazine may earn a commission if you make a purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products and services we genuinely believe in.

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