Pizza

12 Excellent Frozen Pizzas for When You Just Can't

We asked food professionals for their go-to brands, from Trader Joe's to California Pizza Kitchen.

November  2, 2020
Photo by PHOTO BY JULIA GARTLAND. PROP STYLIST SOPHIE STRANGIO. FOOD STYLIST: SAMANTHA SENEVIRATNE.

Pizza is a steadfast dinner option when I simply can’t summon the energy to cook. Just give me dough slathered with sauce and melting cheese and I’ll eat it right out of the box, thank you so much. Though my favorite spots for takeout pie are just a short walk away, sometimes the farthest I feel like going is my own kitchen. Because what if I want pizza at midnight—or 9 a.m., for that matter—when the local slice shops are closed? Frozen pizza is the hero we all need. I checked in with some food professionals to get their suggestions for the best frozen pizzas the frozen-foods aisle—and the internet—can offer. Spoiler alert: There are some strong opinions in the mix.

From classic cheese pizzas and Chicago deep-dish to Bagel Bites (oh heck yes, they count!) and even a vegan option, here are the 12 best frozen pizzas, selected by folks who know their food.


1. Jeno's by Totino's Pizza

A disclaimer needs to be made before the purists start complaining: To me, frozen slices are their own nostalgic genre and need to be celebrated as such. Oddly perfect pepperoni cubes and sugary tomato sauce aside, Jeno's also gets extra points for that airy, cracker-like crust—a magical quality that won't leave your stomach in pain after you down an entire pizza at 10:30 p.m. —Andrew Bui, food writer and photographer

2. Bagel Bites

I feel so strongly about this that it has even made it into my dating profile: Bagel Bites are the perfect food. Full stop. They have the perfect sauce to bread to cheese ratio. They’re snackable, easy to eat with one hand, and ideal for sharing. I always have them stocked in my freezer, and they’re my favorite party trick—a tray of Bagel Bites just out of the oven (never the microwave) is the best way to end a night. The only form of frozen pizza I care about. —Scott Loitsch, executive video producer, NYT Cooking

3. Z&Z Za'atar Manoushe

Manoushe is a Middle Eastern flatbread (basically a pizza) that comes in a variety of toppings, za'atar being my absolute favorite. Z&Z is a small family business based out of D.C., and they make an incredible frozen za'atar manoushe that's not only delicious but also super convenient (it requires just 5 minutes in the oven). The za'atar blend is sourced directly from Palestine, supporting local farmers. The dough bakes up bubbly and crisp; just add some cucumber slices, olives, and parsley on top, and you're good to go. —Noreen Wasti, food stylist and recipe developer

4. Gino's East

I’m a Chicago native, so the only way to reconcile the pizza divide with some of my New York friends is to admit that Chicago-style pizza is a food group of its own—which happens to be one of the most amazing food groups out there. However, when we're talking frozen pizza, the categorical lines blur. One of my all-time favorites is Gino's East. —Drew Aichele, food stylist

5. Lou Malnati's

I've been known to fly from Chicago to New York with a pie and a half tightly wrapped and insulated in my backpack. [Editor’s note: Flying to Chicago isn’t an option for dinner every week, but luckily Lou Malnati's sells frozen pizza online.]Drew Aichele, food stylist

6. Caulipower Uncured Turkey Pepperoni Pizza

I’m into this pepperoni pizza with a cauliflower crust. I’d long struggled to find a frozen cauli-crust that crisps up before I stumbled upon this one. —Ella Quittner, writer

7. California Pizza Kitchen

CPK is the official pizza of being left home alone for dinner in the early aughts. These are frozen pies that actually get crispy-crusted in the oven, unlike some of the other big names in the aisle. My allegiance is to the BBQ chicken pizza, but I’ll give an honorable mention to the meat-fest “Sicilian” pie. —Becky Hughes, social media manager, NYT Cooking

8. Trader Joe’s Organic Pizza

It’s crisp enough and an easy dinner in a pinch. I also love the wild mushroom and black truffle flatbread: pizza-esque and feels kinda fancy, even though it’s frozen. They’re perfect with a light salad for a quick dinner or cut into slices as an app for TV-watching or having friends over…if that ever happens again. —Shannon Sarna, cookbook author and editor of The Nosher

9. Trader Joe’s Tarte d’Alsace

This frozen pizza is technically a French-style flatbread, but it has a buttery crust, creamy béchamel-like sauce, lots of Gruyère, and is sprinkled with toppings (ham and caramelized onions), so I think it counts. —Gaby Scelzo, food writer, Sifted

10. Amy's Vegan Roasted Vegetable Pizza

It may be controversial to pick a pizza without any cheese or sauce, but with plenty of sweet, deeply caramelized onions, savory roasted shiitake mushrooms, and tangy peppers and artichoke hearts, there's just nothing missing here! It's been a comfort food for years, and I always keep one in my freezer. —Kelsey Youngman, associate food editor, Food & Wine

11. Amy’s Cheese Pizza

Honestly, sometimes I just want to eat like a small child and get a cheese pizza. And I always cut it up into slices like I’m not going to have the whole thing at once, but who am I kidding? I like the mushroom and olive one, too. But I think the best thing about Amy's pizza is that it doesn’t give me any kind of sodium hangover like other frozen pizzas do. —Sarra Sedghi, assistant editor, MyRecipes

12. Table 87

I love Table 87’s coal-fired Margherita slices. The crust is a bit charred and comes out pretty crunchy for a frozen pizza! As a registered dietitian, I love the built-in portion control—these are especially great when you want a pizza but are dining solo. I usually pair a slice with a simple arugula salad for a satisfying and quick weeknight dinner. Ayla Gentiletti, registered dietitian

More from Food52


Which frozen pizza (or pizza-like product) do you reach for on a busy evening? Let us know in the comments!

See what other Food52 readers are saying.

  • abuttonbox
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Rebecca Firkser is the assigning editor at Food52. She used to wear many hats in the food media world: food writer, editor, assistant food stylist, recipe tester (sometimes in the F52 test kitchen!), recipe developer. These days, you can keep your eye out for her monthly budget recipe column, Nickel & Dine. Rebecca tests all recipes with Diamond Crystal kosher salt. Follow her on Instagram @rebeccafirkser.

44 Comments

abuttonbox August 17, 2024
You've missed Genios...a recent, but a year or two, entry into the frozen pizza world. But with Pizza rolls on this list your choices aren't about quality, but rather satisfying childhood tastebuds.
 
Smaug April 19, 2024
I have to disagree with buttery crust, gruyere cheese, and ham and caramelized onions qualifying something as a pizza.
 
AlwaysLookin April 19, 2024
Well, you should re-read her copy - 'Technically a Tart' ... and had I never had it, I'd agree with you, but I have had it and it is absolutely delightful and delicious!!! I'd recommend it to anyone, including YOU!
 
Smaug April 19, 2024
To sort of quote, "... but it has a buttery crust etc.", which pretty specifically implies that those factors qualify it as a pizza besides being "technically" a French style flatbread. I contendd that they ddo the opposite.. Which doesn't mean it isn't good; many things that aren't pizzas are good- Beethoven's Ninth, Caitlin Clark, and hamburgers are a few examples.
No comment on cauliflower crusts.
 
Smaug April 19, 2024
"... in spite of being 'technically'..."- still waiting for that edit function.
 
Karin August 17, 2024
If you’ve ever had an authentic Tarte de Alsace in Strasburg, France, you’d never wonder about this again.
 
Smaug August 17, 2024
About whether it was a pizza? I'm not really wondering about it now; it's not. Of course people are free to use language as they please, but to me there are certain basics that are what makes pizza pizza- it has to have a yeast raised crust, the toppings have to be cooked with the crust, and toppings have to at least reflect the Italian roots of the dish.
 
ellemmbee April 15, 2024
Rao’s.
 
JayneW54 August 29, 2023
Pequod’s pizza in Chicago outranks Gino’s and Lou Malnati’s any day! And can be shipped!
 
clay August 29, 2023
For those of you who are Gluten free.....Against the Grain frozen pizza is outstanding! Excellent 3 cheese pizza that pairs perfectly with a salad. You can also load it up with sausage, black olives, basil and any of your favorite toppings. Great crust! Proudly baked in Vermont!!!
 
gcarl April 7, 2023
I find that almost all of Aldi's "Specially Selected" thin crust pizzas/flatbreads are exceptional. Their Momma Cozzi's deli thin crust refrigerated pies are pretty darn good (and one can freeze them if necessary).
 
[email protected] January 28, 2023
Nothing, NOTHING is more important than how the pizza has been treated from its birthplace to your grocery bag. I once had a California Pizza Kitchen masterpiece that was terrible. A victim of its storage or whatever! Even knowing that the pizza left its birthplace as a masterpiece, it took me another five years to buy another one.
 
John H. November 12, 2022
I would strongly suggest trying Slab Sicilian Street Food Self Rising Frozen Cheese Pizzas out of Portland Maine. Phenomenal frozen pizzas. We have had luck finding them at Hannafords Supermarkets near us. Would strongly suggest. Happy Eating
 
Goose November 7, 2022
very goose
 
Dish06 November 6, 2022
Any flavor of Wegman's Italian Classics frozen pizzas is it for me.
 
Terri G. November 6, 2022
You need to try Costco's new pepperoni pizza. They come four to a box and they are quite delicious. The pepperoni fills the top of the pizza and there is lots of cheese. So much pizza for the price.
 
Gammy November 6, 2022
Y'all need to find and try Wild Mike's Ultimate Pizza!!! Soooooo much better than anything else in the frozen pizza section, better than many chain pizza shop pizzas and cheaper to boot! (https://www.wildmikesultimatepizza.com/)
 
AlwaysLookin January 1, 2021
Wow, there are actually some good picks here ... especially my favorite, the Trader Joe’s Tarte D’Alsace which is really flavorful and reminds me of Chicago THIN CRUST!
 
beezus November 13, 2020
Paul Newman's are pretty good. I do add some shredded cheese before I bake it.
 
Johonna C. November 12, 2020
Dr. Oetker Virtuoso Pizza! Any flavor, really
 
conisue68 November 10, 2020
I would also like to see some gluten free options (not cauli). For regular glutened pizza, I loved Freshetta Brick Oven cheese or pepperoni.
 
Basaqua November 10, 2020
We prefer DiGiornos Pizza thin crust. 4meat plus some added mushrooms and cheese!.
 
David C. November 10, 2020
should have a non cauliflower GF option ...bc Cauliflower sucks :)
 
Lawkat November 10, 2020
We love Screamin’ Sicilian Bessie’s Revenge cheese pizza (original). I add sliced tomatoes and basil and turn it into a Margherita. The crust crisps up nicely and they use real mozzarella slices. So far it’s the best frozen pizza we’ve had.
 
Leigh November 6, 2020
what's the pizza in the photograph?!
 
David H. November 10, 2020
We NEED an answer!
 
Liz M. November 11, 2020
Crispy, cheesy pan pizza by King Arthur flour...but you have to make it yourself...I make it all the time... best recipe ever and can be found here on Food 52 website as well.....but Talia di Napoli pizza is the only frozen pizza we’ll eat here
 
Leigh November 11, 2020
Thank you Liz M.! Here is the link to the recipe: https://food52.com/recipes/82857-crispy-cheese-pan-pizza-recipe