In the sprawling, billion-dollar frozen pizza industry, the sheer volume of choices can be daunting. From quick after-school snacks to the centerpiece of an evening meal, a piping hot frozen pizza often serves a very specific purpose, satisfying those gooey, crusty cravings in a way few other snacks can. But as anyone who has braved the freezer aisle knows, preparation might always be easy, but the results can vary wildly from one brand to the next.
Our Test Kitchen team embarked on an exhaustive journey to cut through the noise, subjecting a wide array of popular frozen pizzas to rigorous, data-backed scrutiny. We understand that frozen pizza, at its best, should offer not just convenience but genuine satisfaction—a perfect balance of crisp crust, ooey-gooey cheese, and flavorful toppings. Our mission was clear: to identify which brands truly deliver on these promises, providing home cooks and consumers with practical, authoritative advice to confidently navigate their next pizza purchase.
We meticulously cooked each pie according to its packaging instructions, evaluating them just minutes out of the oven. Our judgments were based on a comprehensive assessment of taste, texture, and, crucially, the crust. From the pillowy soft to the painfully thin, from robust tomato sauces seasoned with a dealer’s choice of spices and herbs to diverse cheese blends, we explored every nuance. Here, we present the top-performing contenders that rose above the rest, earning the coveted ‘Test Kitchen-Preferred’ stamp.
1. **Good & Gather Four-Cheese Pizza Rising Crust: The Clear Winner**When it comes to the ultimate frozen pizza experience, Target’s house brand, Good & Gather Four-Cheese Pizza Rising Crust, emerged miles ahead of the pack. This isn’t just a good frozen pizza; it’s a remarkably well-executed one that redefines expectations for the category. Our tasters were consistently impressed by its overall balance and complex flavor profile, making it a standout for those seeking a truly satisfying slice from the freezer.
The secret to its success lies in a harmonious blend of carefully selected ingredients and thoughtful construction. Its tomato sauce, featuring dehydrated onions and garlic, boasts an exceedingly, deliciously tomatoey character, complemented by an appealing aroma of fennel. This rich and complex sauce forms a robust foundation, elevating the flavor far beyond what is typically expected from a frozen offering. The cheese topping, a blend of mozzarella, Parmesan, and Romano, is light and stretchy, achieving that desirable gooey, melty texture without becoming waxy or rubbery.
However, it’s the crust that truly sets this pizza apart, acting as the crucial element that binds all the flavors together. Unlike many competitors that suffer from bland or doughy bases, this pizza delivers a sturdy, crispy crust. Our food editor, Zaynab Issa, specifically noted the semolina on the bottom of the crust, which played a pivotal role in allowing it to develop a perfectly crispy, not soggy, bottom. This attention to detail ensures every bite is a delightful textural experience, solidifying its position as our clear winner.
2. **Genio – The Bianca: A Restaurant-Quality Revelation from the Freezer Case**Discovering Genio – The Bianca was an unexpected delight in our comprehensive testing, proving that frozen pizzas can indeed achieve a caliber akin to restaurant quality. This particular pie immediately stood out for its handcrafted appearance, a stark contrast to the mass-produced aesthetic often found in the frozen food aisle. The generous and fresh-looking cheese further piqued our interest, setting high expectations before the first bite.
Our excitement was well-founded. Biting into the crust of Genio – The Bianca was described as “a dream.” It offered a thickness and flavor profile that genuinely compared to what one might receive from a high-quality pizzeria, a remarkable feat for a product sourced from the freezer case. This exceptional crust served as a testament to the meticulous craftsmanship behind the brand, stemming from Anthony Mangieri, the chef/owner of New York’s Michelin-rated Una Pizza Napoletana. The expertise is evident in every chew.
Beyond the crust, the pizza’s other components contributed significantly to its sophisticated appeal. The cheese lent a nuanced flavor to the pie, working in concert with the subtle addition of basil. This thoughtful combination of ingredients created a well-rounded and deeply satisfying experience. As a result, many tasters, including myself, became converts to the Genio line, eager to explore other offerings from this brand that truly delivers on its promise of an elevated frozen pizza experience.
3. **Newman’s Own Stone-Fired Crust Margherita Pizza: The Absolute Best Margherita**In the often-challenging quest for an elevated frozen pizza that delivers on both convenience and comfort without sacrificing taste and texture, Newman’s Own Stone-Fired Crust Margherita Pizza unequivocally swept the competition within its category. This particular offering from Newman’s Own transcends the typical frozen fare, proving itself to be a dependable and delightful addition to any grocery cart for when pizza time strikes. It earned its title as the “Absolute Best” among its peers for its remarkable balance and authentic flavors.
Our rigorous taste test of various Newman’s Own contenders, and indeed a broader ranking of popular frozen pizzas, consistently highlighted this margherita pie’s superior qualities. Key to its high marks were its outstanding crust texture and overall harmonious flavor. Reviewers, some not typically gravitating towards margherita, were captivated by its attributes, noting the “chewy crust, tangy tomato sauce, slabs of mozzarella, and sprinkling of basil” which created a “nicely balanced” flavor profile. The surprising herbaceous quality of the basil, especially for a frozen product, and the dimensional char imparted by the stone-fired crust were particular points of praise.
Newman’s Own’s commitment to quality is evident in its simple yet effective ingredient list: fior di latte mozzarella, tomato sauce, extra virgin olive oil, and basil, all without artificial preservatives. The brand proudly describes it as “Imported from Italy” and “stone fired for a light, airy and crispy, texture” with a “distinctive flavor,” claims our tasters found to be genuinely reflected in the product. Customer reviews from major retailers like Target and Walmart echo our sentiments, with accolades such as “As far as frozen pizzas go, this one is as close to a fresh pizza as it gets” and “Hands down the best frozen pizza.” This consensus confirms that Newman’s Own Margherita Pizza truly does the freezer aisle justice.
4. **Palermo’s Neighborhood Pizzeria Pepperoni Pizza: The Benchmark for Best Toppings**For those who believe a frozen pizza should be generously adorned with flavorful ingredients, Palermo’s Neighborhood Pizzeria Pepperoni Pizza stands as the undisputed champion for best toppings. While customizing a frozen pie with extras is always an option, there’s a unique satisfaction in pulling a pizza directly from the box and finding it already laden with a wealth of quality ingredients. This Palermo’s offering delivers precisely that, promising and delivering heaps of toppings.
Our Test Kitchen’s Mark Neufang enthusiastically noted, “There’s a healthy amount of pepperoni on top of this one,” a crucial detail for any pepperoni enthusiast. What truly distinguishes this pizza, however, is not just the quantity but the variety and quality of its pepperoni. It features a blend of traditional pepperoni slices alongside chopped bits of spicy pepperoni, contributing both diverse flavor notes and an engaging texture to every bite. This thoughtful combination elevates the pepperoni experience beyond the ordinary, making it a standout feature.
Beyond the exceptional toppings, the foundation of this pizza is equally commendable. The crust is best described as hand-tossed—substantial enough to hold the generous toppings without being excessively thick like a deep dish, offering a pleasant “thin in the center with a bit of a thicker edge,” as Mark elaborates. Adding another layer of flavor and texture, the very edge of the crust is sprinkled with parmesan, providing a savory saltiness and cheesiness. Combined with a robust, tomato-forward sauce, this comprehensive approach to flavor and texture makes Palermo’s a consistent Test Kitchen favorite.
5. **DiGiorno Rising Crust Pepperoni Pizza: The Exemplar of Best Thick Crust**Frozen pizzas often face criticism for a perceived lack of character, frequently appearing flat in both appearance and flavor. However, the DiGiorno Rising Crust Pepperoni Pizza confidently defies this stereotype, earning its place as our Test Kitchen’s preferred choice for the Best Thick Crust. This pizza offers a truly lofty, pan-style crust that provides a substantial and satisfying foundation for its toppings, standing out in an aisle often dominated by less impressive bases.
Ellie Crowley in the Test Kitchen praised its crust specifically, observing, “This one has a thick crust with great color.” The distinctive quality of this crust is its ability to be simultaneously crisp on the bottom, providing structural integrity, while maintaining a wonderfully soft and chewy interior—a textural achievement “nicer than most frozen pizzas.” While some may wish for a slightly more abundant splash of tomato sauce to complement the sheer breadiness of the crust, our team generally enjoyed the flavor profile, finding it perfectly adequate given the robust crust.
What truly seals its distinction, aside from that top-notch thick crust, is the quality of its crispy pepperoni. Test Kitchen experts noted a “smoky, hearty and fun” quality about this pizza, thanks to the flavorful pepperoni. This combination of a genuinely impressive thick crust and delicious toppings makes the DiGiorno Rising Crust Pepperoni Pizza a compelling choice for anyone craving a substantial, satisfying frozen pie that delivers on its promise of a hearty pizza experience.
6. **Connie’s Classic Thin Crust Pepperoni Pizza: The Pinnacle of Best Thin Crust**For aficionados of a delicate, cracker-thin crust, Connie’s Classic Thin Crust Pepperoni Pizza emerges as a clear frontrunner and our Test Kitchen’s definitive pick for the Best Thin Crust. This pizza masterfully achieves a perfectly crisp crust, which is further enhanced by a subtle dusting of semolina on the bottom. This coarse cornmeal addition is a stroke of genius, contributing not just an extra layer of crunch but also a distinctive flavor that our entire team found incredibly appealing and highly satisfying.
Yet, Connie’s frozen pizza is far more than just its exceptional crust. It also excels in the generosity and quality of its toppings, especially its pepperoni, which was a tester favorite. Ellie enthusiastically remarked, “This pepperoni tastes fresh and a bit spicy—yum!” This means there’s no need to consider additional upgrades or doctoring; the pizza is already piled high with enough flavorful elements to satisfy. However, for those interested, the option to enhance remains, as our team has even shared tips for various frozen pizza upgrades.
The tomato sauce on this pizza is equally noteworthy. It is expertly seasoned with a blend of Italian herbs, delivering a good amount of ripe tomato flavor that tastes genuinely fresh—devoid of any tinned or artificial undertones. This commitment to quality ingredients, from the impeccable crust to the savory pepperoni and vibrant sauce, makes Connie’s Classic Thin Crust Pepperoni Pizza a truly harmonious and highly recommended choice for anyone seeking a superior thin-crust experience from the freezer aisle.
7. **Home Run Inn Classic Pepperoni Pizza: The Champion of Unexpected Crust**Home Run Inn Classic Pepperoni Pizza bravely steps outside the conventional frozen pizza categories of either thick or thin crust, forging its own path with a unique and utterly compelling crust that captivated our Test Kitchen team. This innovative approach to the pizza base made testers eager for more, distinguishing it as our top choice for the Best Unexpected Crust. It delivers a textural experience that genuinely sets it apart from its competitors.
The crust on Home Run Inn’s frozen pizza occupies a delightful middle ground, neither excessively thick nor overtly thin, creating a texture that our team universally found “downright crave-able.” Maggie Knoebel from the Test Kitchen vividly described it as a “flaky crust—almost like a croissant.” This distinctive, tempting texture contributes significantly to its appeal, making it incredibly easy and enjoyable to reach for another slice, a hallmark of a truly successful frozen pizza.
Complementing this remarkable crust is a generous and incredibly gooey cheese layer, which Maggie declared “has the best cheese by far.” This superior cheese pairs exquisitely with the rich, crispy, and uniquely flaky crust. The pepperoni, while perfectly spiced, is not overly spicy, creating a balanced flavor profile that appeals to a broad range of palates. Our team, though confident you won’t have leftovers, even shared tips on reheating pizza, underscoring their belief in this pie’s exceptional quality.
Navigating the frozen food aisle can often feel like a culinary gamble, especially when it comes to pizza. While the first half of our extensive analysis celebrated the standouts that genuinely deliver on flavor and texture, this section delves into the other side of the coin: the frozen pizzas that left our Test Kitchen team underwhelmed, disappointed, or simply confused. Our aim here is to provide clear, actionable insights into the common pitfalls—from rubbery cheeses to bland crusts and unbalanced sauces—so you can avoid those less-than-satisfying selections on your next grocery run.
Our rigorous methodology, identical to that used for the top-rated pies, exposed significant weaknesses in many popular brands. We sought to understand not just what failed, but precisely why, dissecting the nuances of ingredient choices, structural integrity, and overall flavor harmony. What follows is a detailed breakdown of the frozen pizzas that, despite their widespread availability, simply didn’t meet our exacting standards for a truly satisfying slice, allowing you to confidently sidestep these less impressive options.
8. **California Pizza Kitchen Crispy Thin Crust Four Cheese Pizza: The Abomination**Among the many pizzas we tested, the California Pizza Kitchen Crispy Thin Crust Four Cheese Pizza earned the unenviable title of “The Abomination.” This pie immediately struck our tasters with a series of fundamental flaws that prevented it from even approximating a satisfying pizza experience. Its overall flavor profile was so off-putting that, as associate cooking editor Antara Sinha remarked through her first bite, it was simply “sour,” while test kitchen coordinator Inés Anguiano declared, “This isn’t pizza, this is something else.”
The most significant culprit was the crust, which was universally described as “disappointing” and “pita-like.” Our tasters found it to be utterly “flavorless” and possessing a “cracker-like” texture. Senior cooking editor Emma Laperruque even likened it to “matzo,” struggling to determine if this comparison was a positive or negative attribute—a clear indicator of its profoundly unsatisfactory nature. This “deranged crust” ultimately proved to be the final straw for many on our tasting panel.
Beyond the crust, the issues continued with both the sauce and the cheese. The sauce exhibited a “too-strong oregano flavor,” overpowering other elements and contributing to the pizza’s unbalanced taste. Furthermore, the cheese blend, which included smoked gouda, imparted an “odd porky aroma” that did not integrate well with the overall flavor profile, creating a discordant and unpleasant culinary experience that failed to justify its place in the freezer aisle.
9. **Newman’s Own Thin & Crispy Crust Four Cheese Pizza: The Problematically Parmesan**While Newman’s Own has achieved success with other offerings, their Thin & Crispy Crust Four Cheese Pizza proved to be a significant misstep, earning the designation “Problematically Parmesan” in our Test Kitchen. The dominant and off-putting notes of Parmesan overshadowed other flavors, contributing to a “chalky” and “fake-tasting” impression that left tasters largely dissatisfied.
The cheese blend, intended to be a mix of cheddar, Asiago, Parmesan, and mozzarella, failed to cohere properly. It often congealed into a “single layer that completely separated from the sauce and crust,” creating a visually unappealing and texturally inconsistent bite. As Anguiano succinctly observed, it tasted “like a stick of Parmesan with a little sauce,” indicating a profound imbalance in the cheese profile and a powdery, even acrid, quality in certain instances.
Compounding the cheese issues was the pizza’s crust. Described as “bland” and “tortilla-like,” this multigrain crust, containing flaxseed, offered a “weak and floppy” texture that failed to provide the necessary structural integrity or pleasant mouthfeel expected of a pizza. This combination of an overly assertive, poorly textured cheese and a sub-par crust resulted in a pizza that simply couldn’t deliver a cohesive or enjoyable experience.
10. **DiGiorno Rising Crust Four Cheese Pizza: The Definitely Not Delivery**DiGiorno’s brand promise often revolves around the idea that their pizzas are “so good, it must be delivery,” but the Rising Crust Four Cheese Pizza, unfortunately, fell short of this lofty claim. It notably failed to deliver on the expectation of a fast, no-stress meal, requiring significantly longer cooking times than specified on the package and still presenting fundamental issues even after extended baking.
Our tests revealed that despite extra time in the oven, the crust retained a “doughy flavor and squidgy texture,” failing to achieve the desired crispness and internal doneness. While the pizza featured its signature “rising” crust with visible air pockets and a “pillowy” quality, as noted by digital operations associate Nico Avalle, this didn’t translate into a pleasant eating experience. The persistent doughiness was a major deterrent.
Furthermore, the cheese, a blend predominantly of mozzarella with Parmesan, Asiago, and Romano lower on the list, disappointed our tasters. While it initially offered an enticing “cheese pull,” as observed by Sinha, it ultimately tasted “waxy,” a critical flaw for a product purporting to be a cheese pizza. This combination of protracted cooking and unsatisfactory texture in both crust and cheese rendered it a “definitely not delivery” experience, making it a frustrating choice for convenience-seeking consumers.
11. **Trader Joe’s Organic 3 Cheese Pizza: Most Bowling Alley-esque**The Trader Joe’s Organic 3 Cheese Pizza, despite its “organic ingredients” and claims of being “handmade” and “cooked in wood burning ovens,” regrettably landed in the category of “Most Bowling Alley-esque.” This designation, collectively agreed upon by our Test Kitchen team, reflected a general sense that nothing about the pizza quite tasted right, leading to a largely unappetizing experience more akin to institutional fare.
While the chewy crust was acknowledged as something that “could pass for crust from a pizza shop” in isolation, it couldn’t salvage the overall impression. The sauce was a significant point of contention, described as being “overpowered by the taste of dried herbs” and suffering from an “underdeveloped tomato flavor.” This imbalance left the sauce lacking the vibrant, fresh taste essential for a good pizza.
Adding to the disappointment was the thin layer of shredded cheese and the pizza’s “too mushy” texture. The ambiguity surrounding the “aged cheese” ingredient further highlighted a lack of clarity in composition. Ultimately, the cumulative effect of a weak sauce, sparse cheese, and mushy texture solidified its reputation as a pizza best left in the freezer, failing to live up to its artisanal marketing.
12. **Amy’s Cheese Pizza: Small but Mighty (in its flaws)**Amy’s Cheese Pizza, though part of a brand often associated with quality, proved to be a paradox: “noticeably smaller” than most competitors, yet “mighty” in its accumulation of flaws. Our tasters consistently noted that the pizza “didn’t have enough cheese,” a crucial oversight for a product labeled as a cheese pizza. Its diminutive size for the price point only exacerbated this issue, making it a less-than-ideal value proposition.
The cheese, a classic blend of mozzarella, Parmesan, Fontina, and provolone, performed poorly, with Avalle observing it as a “solid mass” and a “rubbery mess” upon serving. When pulled from the freezer, the cheese layer already appeared sparser than on other pies, a visual cue of its eventual textural disappointment. This rubbery characteristic detracted significantly from the expected gooey, melty experience.
The crust also presented issues, described as “spongy” and “super airy and fluffy,” leading some tasters to liken it to an “imitation of pizza” rather than the real thing. Furthermore, the tomato sauce exhibited a “significant flavor of oregano,” prompting food editor Zaynab Issa to articulate a common sentiment: “I don’t want my tomato sauce to taste like anything but tomato.” This imbalance ultimately prevented the pizza from delivering a cohesive or satisfying flavor profile.
13. **Aldi’s Mama Cozzi’s Pizza Kitchen Pepperoni Rising Crust Pizza: The Overpowering Anise**Aldi’s Mama Cozzi’s Pizza Kitchen Pepperoni Rising Crust Pizza, despite its attractive low price and popularity among Aldi loyalists, proved to be a significant disappointment in our rigorous taste tests. The primary detractor was an “overwhelmingly salty” flavor that permeated every bite, making the pizza difficult to enjoy beyond a superficial level. This excess of sodium created an unbalanced and unpleasant experience that overshadowed any potential positive attributes.
Beyond the saltiness, our tasters were particularly struck by a “strange and overpowering anise or fennel flavor” emanating from the sauce. This unexpected herbaceous note, while not inherently negative, was so pronounced that it dominated the entire flavor profile, clashing with the traditional expectations of a pepperoni pizza and creating a truly jarring taste. Such an assertive spice choice ultimately detracted from the pizza’s appeal.
While the rising crust provided a visual lift and the pepperoni appeared plentiful, these elements could not compensate for the fundamental flaws in seasoning and sauce flavor. The pizza served as a stark reminder that an appealing price point cannot always overcome significant culinary imbalances, making it a pizza our Test Kitchen cannot recommend for a satisfying experience.
14. **365 by Whole Foods Uncured Pepperoni Rising Crust Pizza: A Total Nonstarter**The 365 by Whole Foods Uncured Pepperoni Rising Crust Pizza regrettably earned the label of a “total nonstarter” in our Test Kitchen evaluations, primarily due to its profound shortcomings in both visual appeal and crust texture. It was ranked among the “least visually appealing pizzas we tested,” presenting an immediate barrier to a pleasant dining experience even before the first bite.
One of the most striking visual flaws was an “uncanny seam around the crust,” giving the impression that “the pizza had been stamped out by a machine.” This manufactured look undermined any sense of quality or artisanal care. Such an unappealing presentation set low expectations, which the pizza, unfortunately, proceeded to meet.
The crust itself was a major disappointment. It was characterized by a “dense, closed texture and doughy finish,” lacking the crispness, chew, or aeration expected of a rising crust pizza. This heavy, unappetizing base, combined with the visual shortcomings, meant that the pizza failed on fundamental aspects. It simply didn’t deliver the basic sensory satisfaction one expects from a frozen pie, thus making it a product we cannot endorse.
In the ever-expanding universe of frozen pizzas, our Test Kitchen’s meticulous evaluations serve as a crucial compass. By highlighting not just the pinnacle of frozen pie craftsmanship but also those that fall short, we aim to empower you, the home cook, with the knowledge to navigate the freezer aisle confidently. Choosing the finest slice isn’t just about convenience; it’s about ensuring every pizza night is a genuine pleasure. So, next time you’re faced with a wall of frozen options, remember our insights—they’re your secret ingredient for avoiding disappointment and truly savoring your next pizza experience.
