It may seem impossible to mess up a frozen pizza, but there are some definite dos and don'ts for preparing the perfect pie from the freezer section.
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00:00Frozen pizza might seem foolproof, but there are a few key mistakes to avoid. Are you slicing it
00:05too early or baking it at the wrong temperature? Stick around to learn the essential do's and don'ts
00:10for perfect pizza. One of the main draws of frozen pizza is the convenience. It's quick and hassle
00:16free. So why complicate things? While it might seem like extra effort, a few simple tweaks can
00:21really elevate your pizza without adding much time. For instance, adding a sprinkle of dried
00:26or fresh oregano before baking can really boost the flavor. Thyme is another great choice,
00:30with its slightly sweet taste that balances perfectly with the savory cheese. A touch of
00:35garlic, either fresh or powdered, can work wonders on the flavor as well. Don't forget
00:39a pinch of salt and pepper to bring everything together. These small adjustments take almost
00:44no time but can transform a standard frozen pizza into something much more flavorful,
00:48even Instagram-worthy. Adding extra cheese to a frozen pizza is a great way to enhance flavor,
00:54but timing and placement matter. According to Serious Eats, the key is to add it halfway through
00:59the baking process for the best results. The type of cheese you're using also plays a role. For
01:03example, most frozen pizzas already come with shredded mozzarella, so you can add more before
01:08baking without any issues. But if you're adding cheddar cheese, which melts much faster, it's best
01:13to wait until the pizza is halfway cooked before sprinkling it on. This ensures that the cheese
01:17melts evenly without overcooking or burning. By following these tips, you'll get that extra cheesy
01:22goodness without sacrificing texture or flavor. When you pull a frozen pizza out of the box,
01:27it's common for the toppings to shift, with some gathered at one side or scattered unevenly.
01:32Your first instinct might be to push everything back to the center or spread them out as evenly
01:36as possible. However, even if the toppings seem well-distributed, it's still a good idea to adjust
01:42them before baking. According to Taste of Home, think ahead about where you plan to slice the
01:46pizza. By arranging the toppings with the cuts in mind, you can ensure a smoother, cleaner slice.
01:51If done right, your pizza cutter will only need to slice through the crust,
01:55sauce, and cheese — no need to cut through toppings like pepperoni or veggies.
01:59This simple trick not only results in a neater slice, but also keeps your toppings intact,
02:03reducing mess and ensuring that each slice looks as good as it tastes.
02:08Pizza stones might sound like something only professional chefs use, but they're actually a
02:12great way to elevate any frozen pizza, even a quick DiGiorno. These stones mimic the high
02:17heat of a real brick oven, absorbing and retaining heat for an evenly cooked, crispy crust. To get
02:22the best results, preheat the stone in the oven for at least 30 minutes once it reaches your
02:26desired temperature. It's also important to let the pizza thaw to room temperature before placing
02:31it on the stone, ensuring a more even cook. For safety, having a pizza peel on hand will make it
02:36much easier to lift the hot pizza from the stone without risking a burn. The extra effort may seem
02:41like a lot, but the results — crispy, perfectly cooked pizza — are definitely worth it.
02:46If you're only using your oven to cook frozen pizza, you're missing out on an easy upgrade.
02:51Grilling frozen pizza is just as simple and can deliver impressive results.
02:55The Kitchen recommends this method for 10-inch pizzas. Start by preheating the grill on high
03:00for about 15 minutes. Once it's ready, place your frozen pizza on the grill,
03:04lower the heat, and cover it. Check on the pizza as it cooks for 10 to 12 minutes.
03:08You'll know it's done when the cheese is fully melted and the crust develops a nice char.
03:12Use a spatula to carefully transfer the pizza to a cutting board,
03:15and you've got a smoky, crispy pie that's a step up from the oven.
03:19It might seem strange to ignore the frozen pizza box's cooking instructions, but hear us out.
03:24One of the reasons pizzeria pizzas have that perfect crust and cheese texture
03:28is the high heat from industrial ovens. You can achieve a similar result at home without
03:32needing a fancy pizza oven. Giordano's pizza experts recommend cranking your home oven to
03:37550 degrees — much hotter than usual. With this higher temperature, bake your frozen pizza for
03:42just 5 to 8 minutes, instead of the usual 12 to 15. The result? A crispier crust and melted
03:48cheese with that signature pizzeria quality — all from your regular kitchen oven.
03:52Adding vegetables to a frozen pizza can be a great way to boost flavor,
03:56but it's essential to prep them properly first. Raw vegetables often release moisture while
04:00cooking, which can make your pizza soggy. For example, The Guardian suggests sautéing
04:05mushrooms with butter before adding them to avoid a watery mess. Onions need to be
04:09sweated to soften them, or they'll come out tasting too raw. As for bell peppers,
04:13it's best to roast or peel them beforehand to get rid of excess moisture and enhance their flavor.
04:18By prepping your veggies, you'll avoid ruining the texture of your pizza and end up with a
04:22more flavorful, balanced topping. It's tempting to grab that pizza cutter and dive right in as
04:27soon as you pull the pizza out of the oven, but waiting just a bit can make all the difference.
04:31Cutting into your pizza too soon can cause a few issues. First, the cheese and toppings need a
04:36moment to set. If you cut right away, the cheese is likely to slide off, and you'll end up with a
04:40gooey mess. Experts from The Kitchen Warriors recommend waiting about three minutes before
04:45slicing — long enough for the toppings to stay hot but firm enough to keep them intact.
04:49Additionally, cutting too early risks letting the oil from the cheese soak into the crust,
04:54making it soggy instead of crispy. And lastly, as tempting as it is,
04:58you won't enjoy your pizza as much if the roof of your mouth is scorched from the steaming hot
05:02cheese. Give it a few minutes, and you'll enjoy a pizza that's perfectly sliced and delicious.