This article was inspired by a New York Times Wirecutter review of top frozen pizzas.
Introduction
Frozen pizza may not rival your local pizzeria, but as Wirecutter found after sampling 26 mainstream options—from pepperoni staples to deep-dish styles—it still holds a beloved (and convenient) place in the freezer aisle.
Their top pick? Genio Della Pizza, a flash-frozen, wood-fired Italian-style pie by Una Pizza Napoletana’s Anthony Mangieri.
“According to the NY Times, the best grocery store frozen pizza is from Genio Della Pizza… crust is excellent…the sauce very tasty but there is almost no cheese”
That feedback offers valuable insight for anyone in the pizza sphere, from home cooks to shop operators to ingredient suppliers.
Best Frozen Pizza Brands
1. DiGiorno
- Classic, rising crust with fresh flavors.
2. Newman’s Own
- Uses organic ingredients and preservative-free sauces.
3. Trader Joe’s Wood-Fired Pizza
- High-quality, Italian-style frozen pizza.
4. California Pizza Kitchen
- Gourmet flavors like BBQ Chicken.
For Enthusiasts: The Convenience Upgrade
You don’t need a stone oven to enjoy high-quality frozen pizza. But a few affordable tools can bridge the gap:
- Preheat a baking steel or pizza stone for 30–45 minutes to mimic pizzeria heat and restore crust texture.
- Try a high-end toaster oven with top and bottom heat controls (around 450°F) for better cheese melt and bottom crispness.
- DIY tip: Add a handful of fresh mozzarella shreds or a sprinkle of grana padano halfway through baking to balance flavor and texture.
💡 Affiliate picks: Choose a Baking Steel and a Digital Kitchen Thermometer to nail that ideal oven environment.
For Shop Owners: Learn From Consumer Feedback
Wirecutter’s process sheds light on consumer expectations, especially about crust authenticity and ingredient balance.
Takeaway for businesses:
- Highlight your crust in marketing: show off clean, crisp edges and “wood-fired” visuals in promos.
- Address common criticisms by ensuring the toppings-to-crust ratio is optimized—consider a slight cheese increase or premium cheese blend.
- Offer frozen versions of your pizza: small-format flash-frozen pies are a low-risk extension to reach customers beyond your store.
Use smart POS platforms like Toast or Square (affiliate links) to track which frozen SKUs outperform in your local market.
For Suppliers: Crust-Minded Innovation
Genio Della’s acclaim shows that crust quality leads the conversation. Suppliers can capitalize by focusing on:
- High-performance par-baked crusts tailored for flash-frozen pies.
- Cheese blends designed to melt well after freezing—provolone-mozzarella hybrids, low-moisture blocks.
- Artisan-inspired sauce kits that deliver rich flavor even after frozen storage.
Partner with retailers to co-brand crust and cheese packages that meet both consumer and pizzeria quality demands.
🔧 Technical Deep-Dive: Baking Frozen Pizza Like a Pro
From Reddit users’ experience, success comes from refining bake method:
“I tried … pre‑heated baking steel at 450°F … 5 min … browning and crisping on bottom … but pre‑heating for 45 minutes isn’t what you’d want for a quick frozen pizza.”
You can replicate a pizzeria‑grade finish with:
- 45 min preheat on steel + 450–500°F oven
- Bake on the hottest rack with top and bottom heating
- Allow frozen pies 5–7 minutes to reach full flavor and texture
For shop kitchens, combi or convection ovens can automate this process with consistent results.
🌟 Final Slice: The Frozen Future of Pizza
Wirecutter’s findings—and online discussions—underscore that a great crust, balanced toppings, and smart baking make frozen pizza more than a fallback; it becomes an experience.
- Home enthusiasts can elevate their freezer stash with tools and tweaks.
- Shop owners can apply these principles to in-store and retail quality control.
- Suppliers can seize on demand for pizza-grade ingredients suited to the frozen format.
In an era where convenience is key, understanding and enhancing the frozen pizza segment gives you a “slice” of the market, without sacrificing taste.
Affiliate Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links, meaning Pizza Magazine may earn a commission if you purchase through them. We only recommend products that genuinely enhance pizza flavor, consistency, and quality at home or in professional kitchens.
