Taste Test: Frozen Cheese Pizzas
When I was in college, prepping fresh, balanced meals wasn’t exactly a priority. Sometimes quick and cheap won out and that often meant frozen pizza. Newly graduated, I’m thinking healthier these days. Looking for smarter standbys, I recruited my friend, Tracy, to help me sample five “better for you” frozen pizzas. Then, we ran them by Dana and Toby to get the nutritionist perspective.
Note: For an even-steven comparison, we stuck to plain flavors to get the best sense of the big three: crust, sauce and cheese.
Kashi Thin Crust Margherita Pizza
Rating: 4
Nutrition Info: 260 calories; 9 grams of fat (per 1/3 pizza)
Kashi’s frozen line boasts some tricked-out pies (The Caribbean Carnival, for instance, has mango and plantain chunks). This classic version, with a simple cheese-and-tomato topping, hits the spot just fine. Tracy and I both gave a thumbs-up on the sauce’s pronounced herb flavor, an improvement on the blandness of most frozen options. The thin crust gets nice and crispy and even retains its crunch after reheating leftovers. As a meal, the serving is a little light, so we added a salad to round things out.
The Dietitian Says: “This one is the highest in fiber at 4 grams and comes with numerous whole grains, including ones you may have never heard of like triticale.” -Toby
Lean Cuisine Margherita Pizza Wood Fire Style
Rating: 3
Nutrition Info: 340 calories; 7 grams of fat (per 1 single-serving pizza)
Microwave pizza can often be a little, well, soggy. Lean Cuisine’s “wood fire style” pizzas try to make up for that. This one did score points for a crust that got crispy on the bottom, yet remained pleasantly chewy around the outside. The sauce, however, had a packaged taste. The dough also lacked flavor — a sprinkle of fresh herbs would have helped. It was a good-sized portion; with a sliced apple, the pizza made a super-quick lunch.
The Dietitian Says: “This was the highest calorie option, but it was also the lowest in sodium — about 35% lower! Overall, the quality of ingredients aren’t impressive — no whole grains and some sweeteners and additives.” – Dana
Amy’s Cheese Pizza
Rating: 4.5
Nutrition Info: 290 calories; 12 grams of fat (per 1/3 pizza)
This one tasted the most like homemade. The crust was chewy, and the sauce had a fresh tomato flavor. When we pulled it out the box, we worried about the sparse cheese covering. As it cooked, however, the flecks melted and spread into an even, toasty layer. Bonus: no I-ate-too-much-grease feeling when finished.
The Dietitian Says: “This is the organic choice from the bunch. A cool fact about the cheese: it’s made without animal renins (a cheese-making enzyme from the intestines), so this a good choice for dairy-eating vegetarians.” – Toby
Newman’s Own Four Cheese Thin & Crispy Pizza
Rating: 3.5
Nutrition Info: 300 calories; 13 grams of fat (per 1/3 pizza)
When a frozen pizza calls itself “four cheese,” it sets some high expectations. This one delivered. It had a dense layer of grated cheese across the top, but there was so much melty goodness that we could hardly taste the tomato sauce.
The Dietitian Says: “Similar to the Amy’s brand, I could pronounce all this pizza’s ingredients, which is always a good sign. But don’t be fooled by that ‘multigrain’ crust. That’s not the same as whole grain.” – Dana
* This pizza is shown above.
For Special Diets
I have an aunt in Chicago who has a gluten intolerance, which can be a real bummer when you want some authentic, Chicago-style pie. When we go out, she orders an individual pizza with a gluten-free crust for herself. Lucky for her, there are also some gluten-free frozen pizzas in supermarkets. Tracy and I sampled Amy’s Rice Crust Cheese Pizza and were pleasantly surprised. No cardboard here! The crust did get pretty burnt (next time, we won’t cook it as long as the package says) and wasn’t quite the same as regular wheat crust. The sauce’s fresh tomato taste came through, however, and made this a solid choice.
As for vegan pizzas, you’ve got two options: soy “cheeze” or no cheese. I sometimes purchase a cheese-less pizza — one that comes with just the crust and sauce — and add my own cheese. Then, I can control the quantity or drizzle on my faves.
Doctoring Up Your Packaged Pies
Just because we opted for plain cheese pizzas doesn’t mean you can’t experiment. I often add extra sliced veggies — peppers, onions, artichoke hearts, whatever — before the pizza goes in the oven. They add color and freshness, and the extra toppings give the pizza a fiber boost (making it more filling!) without too many extra calories or fat. Fruit is another fun add-on, as are lean meats such as diced chicken breast. Feeling adventurous? Try canned tuna on a roasted veggie pie.
Karen Ostergren is Healthy Eats’ intern and a recent graduate of the University of Missouri. She recently relocated to New York to pursue her journalism career and continue her quest for foods that are healthy, quick and tasty.
TELL US: Do you ever turn to frozen pizza? What’s your favorite?
Tree Tavern is delicious – and all natural.
I really like the Kashi thin crust margherita – with a salad my husband and split it for a quick and easy dinner!
I've had countless frozen pizzas in my day. My favorite to this day is the Amy's Margherita pizza. They have the chunks of mozzarella compared to the shredded, and you can really taste the basil. I love that it comes in a large size (to share), or an individual size for a dinner just for me. There are a lot of okay frozen pizzas out there, but this one always knocks me out of the water. yum.
California Pizza Kitchen frozen pizza can't be beat!
big fan of celeste pizzas. they're great and cheap!
ELLIO'S is the best! I have a buddy in New Jersey actuually ship it to me out here in the Midwest where I now reside…
My husband and I recently sampled a pizza at the Iowa State Fair. We don't usually by frozen pizza's but found this one exceptional. The brand is Palermos. They actually have three different kinds. The Ultra Thin Crust, Rustica Thick Crust, Hearth Italia (which is an Artisan crust) and a Breakfast Pizza. We've tried only the Ultra Thin Supreme which was really good. The crust is thin and very crispy. There are 12 different selection to choose from. The Margherita, Roasted Veg, Greek, Grilled Chicken, Ham& Fire Roasted pineapple, Pepperoni, It Sausage, and the Supreme. We prefer thin crust so won't try the thick crust. Hearth Italia sounds very good.
Artisan crust with olive oil, asiago cheese and pesto with tomatoes and basil, There are also 12 verities of these. The price is great, only $5.00 at our grocery store and on line there is a coupon. You can read about all there pizzas and ingredients at http://www.palermospizaa.com. They even ship if not found in your area.
Oh my, Ellio's! As a child of the Midatlantic region, I remember that pizza well. It's not too healthy (tons of sodium and no good-for-you grains), but my grandmother used to cut it up into small pieces and share them as after-school snacks.
Jack's frozen pizza is my favorite by far. Its inexpensive & always my pick. The sauce has a tiny kick to it, but not too much for my 3 year old to handle. Palermo's is tasty too.
I don't eat them very often, I've never found one I didn't like. I always doctor them up with fresh herbs.
You should treat yourself once in a while.
My husband and I really love Mystic Pizza. We've only been able to purchase the cheese, but we top them with black olives, grilled onions, feta cheese(my husband is Greek) and oregano. 1/4 pizza has 270 calories and 5 grams of fat(not using the extra toppings.) It's delicious and satisfying! I think it out ranks the others you taste tested!!! I've tried Kashi brand and it is tasteless.
Trader Joe's makes an organic three cheese that's pretty tasty. On nights when we've been to gynastics, swim, and karate it's a must!
That's so funny- that's the only brand my kids will eat
I sure hope your employer (Palermos) paid you for positing this commercial . I will look to see if it is available locally but I don't think I'll have them shipped. Next time try not to sound like the media relations director.
PS the link does NOT work, so maybe they should not have paid you after all.
I made fun of the name of Dr. Oetker's (I mean, really, pizza made by a German?) until I tasted it. OMG! The crust is amazing and the toppings and cheese taste really fresh. Honestly, give it a try! I also like the DiGiorno Ultimates–usually I prefer a thinner crust, but the dough on these tastes practially homemade, and the sauce is a perfect tomato-ey and garlicky blend.
im not much of a pizza fan but if im in the mood for pizza i prefer going to those private own pizza parlor not pizza hut, domino, papa john or all those other pizza chain………..
or sometime ill make my own ill get those pre made dough jiffy bran from the market which only cost 75cent and ill pick me up a can of tomatoes sauce whichever i like few veggie whatever meat toppin and there im set freashly bake pizza…and believe me ull love it !
California Pizza Kitchen BBQ Chicken.
Awesome article! But how can you forget the king of frozen pizzas- Trader Joe's Brand? : )
Sarah Beth – Agreed! Trader Joe's has a fabulous Marguerita Pizza (frozen) for about $4.00….perfect!
At least in San Diego, CA, the Palermos Ultra Thin Margherita is available in a 3-pack at Costco.
I was looking for someone who said Mystic Pizza! Soooooo good!
Amy has a roasted veggie pizza with no cheese that is out of this world! The crust delivers the texture you want and the light sauce with roasted veggies will never let you think you are getting ripped off by not having cheese. it curbs your pizza and carb craving without compromising your waisteline. HIGHLY recommended!
Earth's Best Sesame Street Whole Grain Mini Cheese Pizza is the best tasting I have had. My daughter who I buy it for loves it also. Next time I will add veggies to it instead of putting it on the side.
Amy's has a soy cheese pizza that is excellent for anyone who is lactose intollerant or vegan. only problem is it doesn't come in individual sizes, but does taste good reheated in a toaster oven.
Tree Travern was a fav when growing up but now, it's hard to find here…Celeste are tasty and come out crispy…Betzio's little squate slices are a fav too…
my favourite is fruschetta's ultra thin crust pizza
As far as frozen pizza goes Tombstone is the best!
We're fans of Frushetta's four (or five?) cheese thin crust pizza! We like to doctor it up with some sauteed mushroom slices and some smoked chicken. Super!
TRADER JOES MARGHERITA PIZZA IS A GIFT FROM GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All pizza is good pizza.
rude rude rude
How can anyone eat frozen pizza or frozen anything is beyond me. Frozen is garbage…make your own with the finest fresh ingredients. It’s so easy to make. Buy the dough if you have to at your local bakery. Tase the difference!!!! You’ll never want frozen anything again!
Wow, I am so happy to see that dedication to one of my products; I am the actual Chef who designed the Palermo's Primo Thin line you are talking about. I do agree with Kev it sounds a lot like a Commercial, but I do love to hear your comments (and we do get tons of them all the time that sound just like yours, we call them love letters)! I am a CIA trained Chef who worked in very high end restaurants until I made the jump to manufacturing 7 years ago, and with that said I am really proud of what we have done here at Palermo's. We use great ingredients and just focus on the flavor, were not going to win the battle of making the most pizzas, but we can make the best tasting ones! I designed the pizzas to taste great and a very clean ingredient statement, and we have many all natural varieties in the Primo Thin line. oh and you had the website wrong it is http://www.palermospizza.com. If you like frozen pizzas that taste like they came from a pizzeria please check us out!
On a side note I stubbled onto this because I love this website!!!
This is a great pizza! I live in Phoenix and when I buy frozen pizza, Palermos is the only one that I will now buy. I love the fact it cooks up in 10 minutes or less! The taste is really good and doesn't have that fake frozen pizza taste. I would love to try the breakfast pizza but have not noticed it in the grocery store that I shop. I will have to look for it the next time!
Anyone try MaMa Rosa's?
Not only is it cheep, but for the most part it's pretty good. Even comes in individual sizes.
I buy the thin crust with pepperoni.
I find adding more cheese, only makes the pizza soggy.
The only thing, I really add to frozen pizza is anchovies!
Home Run Inn pizza from Costco is pretty awesome!
Surprisingly red baron pizza is amazingly good. The best frozen pizza i've ever had… the sauce is peppery… a mild peppery. It's not exactly diet friendly … but if you're looking for flavor..i recommend it.
I have to agree. I've tried several frozen pizza's of late, and the California Pizza is by far the best!
I prefere to make my own. But in a pinch I will say my family prefers Jack's pizza. The sauce has a nice flavor and the crust is not limp and soggy.
Most of these brands we don't even have in the rural midwest
First of all our choices where to shop are… Walmart, again 
I agree, doctored up with you choice of toppings, including a bit more cheese-WOW! Perfect frozen Pizza to do your own thing with.
I agree, see Lissa 2 weeks ago and my response
I agree. Red Barron is the best frozen pizza I've tried. Tombstone is good too, but Red Barron is better. I doctor it up with more red and green bell peppers, red onion slices, black olives and more mushrooms. I take off the pepperoni that comes on it and replace it with turkey pepperoni. I also add jalopenos (fresh, not jarred). I sometimes add extra mozzarella. The sauce is so tasty that I wish I could buy just the sauce!
The same here in AZ. The only frozen pizza my grandchildren will eat is Safeways Ultra thin four cheese pizza. It's pretty darn good.
Amy's Spinach pizza is delicious. I Can hardly tell it's frozen!
Homerun Inn Pizza is wonderful but very difficult to find, it's made in Chicago. The smell is amazing when baking.
I’m kinda surprised that no one mentioned DiGiorno. I like the four-chesse with rising crust. Very good sauce, nice crust that can be made semi-crispy or softer, and the right amount of cheese. Of course, a little doctoring here and there is often the method here.
I love these too!!
Thank God someone mentioned Home Run Inn. I've lived all over the country no other frozen pizza comes close. I have no doubt that it isn't a "diet friendly" pie. Get off the couch and walk around the block a little bit before and after and it'll be all good.
I whole-heartedly agree! I just tried it the other day and I was blown away! Amy's Pesto pizza is also extremely tasty…
has anyone tried connie’s pizza? wonderful
I love Publix brand Margherita or their White (w/spinach) pizza, very good. For the kids Tombstone is not bad either or even Pepperidge Farm. I love the first two and they also love the spinach one (not everyone in my family likes chopped tomatoes, they love sauce though). I think I'll give it a try making my own pizza at home too.