Typically, I steer clear of frozen pizza because of the unappealing plastic-like cheese, suspect toppings, and cardboard-esque crust. However, when it comes to Trader Joe’s, just slap on their logo, and I’m suddenly intrigued. Despite being teased by my fiancé, a true frozen pizza enthusiast, I had faith in Trader Joe’s quality. With a belief that my loyalty to TJ’s would triumph over my aversion to frozen pizza, I took a trip to my local store and loaded up on every frozen pizza I could find to put my theory to the test.
To keep the test fair, I decided to sample all the pizzas simultaneously. It was an ambitious endeavor, but I believed a direct comparison would yield the most accurate results. With the help of others because consuming nine pizzas solo might induce a food-induced coma, we utilized a standard oven, a toaster oven, and a countertop pizza oven to cook them all.
On a side note, I must commend the Trader Joe’s staff for their professionalism in ringing up and bagging my rather excessive quantity of frozen pizzas without a hint of judgment. Such restraint and composure are a rarity in many other stores. Now, onto the evaluations. Here is my definitive ranking of Trader Joe’s frozen pizzas, from least to most preferred.
9. Gluten-Free Cheese Pizza
Source: Jessica Bennett
While I hold no grudge against the gluten-free community, there was something about the cauliflower crust that didn’t sit well with me. Perhaps it’s because cauliflower has a distinct taste that I generally enjoy in more traditional dishes like stir fry or roasted with other vegetables. The moisture content of cauliflower also tends to compromise the crispness of the crust. Unfortunately, this cheese pizza with a cauliflower crust suffered from both issues, resulting in a floppy crust and an unfamiliar taste.
8. Burrata, Prosciutto & Arugula Flatbread
Source: Jessica Bennett
While this Trader Joe’s frozen pizza sounded appealing in theory, the execution fell short. The arugula, already on the pizza, lost much of its distinctive flavor after being frozen and reheated, leaning towards an almost fishy or seaweed-like taste. When combined with the prosciutto, the overall saltiness was overwhelming. In the end, this pizza did not win me over.
7. Organic Roasted Vegetable Pizza
Source: Jessica Bennett
The name of this pizza may sound promising, but the reality was a bit different. Upon unpacking, the vegetable toppings seemed raw and unseasoned, although they cooked during baking. It would have been more flavorful if the veggies were pre-roasted to bring out their tastes better. While a good vegetable source, it lacked a bit in flavor.
6. Mushroom & Black Truffle Flatbread
Source: Jessica Bennett
I had high hopes for this one, especially since a Trader Joe’s staff member restocking the pizza section sang its praises. However, the flavor of black truffle was a bit overwhelming, teetering on being unnatural. While I usually enjoy black truffle taste, this pizza pushed it a bit too far. Both myself and my fellow testers agreed that it probably wouldn’t be a repeat purchase.
5. Gluten-Free Uncured Pepperoni Pizza
Source: Jessica Bennett
This gluten-free pizza with uncured pepperoni had a crisp crust and ample toppings, making it a decent frozen option. The vegetable toppings cooked well, and the pepperoni added a nice flavor. Despite a slight cauliflower undertone in the crust, it was superior to other gluten-free choices.
4. Tarte aux Champignons
Source: Jessica Bennett
This pizza had a distinctly French taste, featuring a buttery, mushroomy flavor with a slight cheesiness and a crispy crust. It was delicious but didn’t overwhelm with flavor. The thin crust inclined us to view it more as an upscale appetizer than a full meal.
3. Vegan Meatless Meat Eater’s Pizza
Source: Jessica Bennett
Despite my preference for greasy pepperoni pizza, I had low expectations for this vegan option. Although I lean towards natural meats and cheeses, this meatless pizza surprised me with its tasty vegan pepperoni, sausage, and chorizo flavors, coupled with a crisp crust. However, its initial appearance out of the oven was unappetizing, resembling a neglected frozen item left in the sun for a few minutes. Once past the looks, it turned out to be a satisfying slice.
2. Roasted Garlic & Pesto Pizza
Source: Jessica Bennett
Topped with abundant roasted garlic, pools of delightful pesto, and featuring a deep-fried crust, this pizza had all the elements to impress. The miraculously crispy and delicious deep-fried crust was a game-changer. While slightly salty, pairing it with a glass of ice water made for a flavorful meal.
1. Wood Fired Naples Style Uncured Pepperoni Pizza
Source: Jessica Bennett
The undeniable champion of the taste test was this wood-fired uncured pepperoni pizza. As frozen pizzas go, it was outstanding. A flavorful crust with a good rise, plentiful sauce and toppings made it look and taste like a top-tier delivery pizza. This one is definitely a repeat purchase. A solid 10 out of 10.
