Updated Oct 8, 2026· 7 min read

Key takeaways

  • Preheat fully. Give the oven at least 10 minutes after it reaches the displayed temperature. A partially heated oven encourages a pale, soft crust.
  • Follow the package’s tray instructions. Thick pizzas often need a pan for support, while thin pizzas usually benefit from direct rack heat or a preheated sheet.
  • Do not thaw first. Thawing changes the moisture balance and can produce a soggy center.
  • Rotate only if necessary. Opening the oven repeatedly releases heat. Rotate once near the midpoint if your oven browns unevenly.
  • Rest before slicing. Three to five minutes lets molten cheese settle and makes the crust easier to cut cleanly.

The best store-bought frozen pizza, ranked for most shoppers, is Home Run Inn Classic Cheese for its crisp, substantial crust and balanced toppings, followed by Motor City Pizza Co. Double Pepperoni for a deep-dish experience and Freschetta Brick Oven Pepperoni for the best everyday balance of price, availability, and texture.

Our top picks

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Ratings are shown as listed on Amazon.

Best Store-Bought Frozen Pizza, Ranked

Frozen pizza varies more than its packaging suggests. A pizza with abundant cheese may still disappoint if the crust stays limp, while a cheaper pie can be excellent when cooked directly on an oven rack. This ranking weighs crust texture, sauce-to-cheese balance, topping quality, cooking method, serving size, typical price, and how easy each brand is to find in the freezer aisle.

Rank Pizza Approx. size and weight Typical price Best for Recommended cooking approach
1 Home Run Inn Classic Cheese 11–12 in.; about 30 oz $8–$12 Thin, crisp tavern-style crust Oven rack or preheated sheet
2 Motor City Pizza Co. Double Pepperoni 10–11 in.; about 29–31 oz $8–$12 Deep-dish crust and heavy toppings Bake in its included tray
3 Freschetta Brick Oven Pepperoni 11–12 in.; about 25–30 oz $6–$9 Best all-around family option Oven rack for a firmer base
4 California Pizza Kitchen BBQ Chicken 10–11 in.; about 14–16 oz $6–$10 Distinctive toppings and nontraditional flavor Preheated sheet pan
5 Screamin’ Sicilian Bessy’s Revenge 12 in.; about 31–33 oz $8–$12 Large, indulgent meat-and-cheese pizza Rack, with a short rest afterward
6 DiGiorno Rising Crust Pepperoni 12 in.; about 27–31 oz $5–$8 Soft, bready crust and broad availability Bake on a pan; do not thaw first
7 Red Baron Classic Crust Pepperoni 12 in.; about 22–23 oz $4–$7 Budget buying and familiar flavor Rack or perforated pan
8 Newman’s Own Thin & Crispy 10 in.; about 14–16 oz $6–$9 Smaller portions and thinner crust Preheated sheet or stone

Why These Pizzas Rank Where They Do

1. Home Run Inn Classic Cheese: best overall texture

Home Run Inn’s main advantage is its thin, crisp, slightly airy crust. It has more structure than an ultra-thin supermarket pizza without becoming bready. The sauce is restrained and lightly seasoned, allowing the cheese to remain prominent without turning the pie greasy. Its cheese version is especially consistent because there are no uneven pepperoni cups or vegetable toppings releasing extra water.

The drawback is value: one pizza generally serves two hungry adults rather than a large family. It also benefits from careful cooking. A crowded pan can trap steam and soften the base, so place it directly on the rack or on a fully preheated baking sheet.

2. Motor City Pizza Co. Double Pepperoni: best deep-dish option

This is the strongest choice when the goal is a thick, caramelized edge rather than a conventional frozen pie. The crust develops a crisp bottom while remaining soft inside, and the cheese reaches close to the edge of the tray. The double-pepperoni topping supplies more savory flavor than many standard frozen pizzas, although the richness can be excessive for lighter appetites.

Do not remove it from its tray before baking. The tray is part of the cooking design, helping contain the cheese and supporting the thick crust. Expect a longer bake and a short cooling period before slicing, since the center remains very hot and soft immediately after cooking.

3. Freschetta Brick Oven Pepperoni: best everyday compromise

Freschetta earns its position through balance. The crust is thicker and more substantial than a thin-crust pizza but less doughy than a rising-crust pie. Sauce and cheese are proportioned sensibly, and the pepperoni generally provides flavor without completely covering the surface.

It is also one of the easiest recommendations for mixed households: the portion is family-sized, the price is usually moderate, and the brand is commonly stocked in large grocery freezers. It may not have the most dramatic crust or the most distinctive toppings, but it rarely requires compensating for a major weakness.

4. California Pizza Kitchen BBQ Chicken: best specialty flavor

California Pizza Kitchen’s BBQ Chicken is a better pick for shoppers who want something other than tomato sauce and pepperoni. The sweet-savory barbecue sauce, chicken, red onion, and cheese create a recognizable flavor profile instead of a generic topping mix.

Its thinner base and relatively light topping load mean it is less filling than the heavier pizzas above. The chicken can also dry out if the pizza is baked well past the package time, so begin checking near the shorter end of the stated range.

5. Screamin’ Sicilian Bessy’s Revenge: best for maximum indulgence

Screamin’ Sicilian pizzas are built around a large, heavily topped presentation. Bessy’s Revenge is satisfying when you want abundant cheese, meat, and a robust crust. It is a good choice for game-night portions or for people who prefer a pizza that feels closer to a loaded pizzeria pie.

The tradeoff is less even cooking. Heavy toppings insulate the center, and excess cheese can remain molten after the crust is done. Let it rest for several minutes before cutting, and avoid adding extra toppings unless you are willing to extend the bake.

6. DiGiorno Rising Crust Pepperoni: best soft, bready crust

DiGiorno remains a dependable option for shoppers who prefer a thick, fluffy base. The edge rises noticeably, and the generous cheese layer makes it filling for its price. It is widely available and often sold at a lower promotional price than premium frozen brands.

Its weakness is texture: the center can be soft rather than crisp, particularly when baked on a cool pan. Use the recommended pan, keep the pizza frozen until baking, and give it enough time for the middle to heat through.

7. Red Baron Classic Crust Pepperoni: best budget buy

Red Baron offers a thinner, more compact crust than DiGiorno and usually costs less. The sauce has a familiar sweet-tomato profile, and the cheese-to-sauce ratio suits shoppers who want a conventional frozen pizza without specialty ingredients.

The crust can become dry at the edges if overbaked, while the center may remain softer on a solid pan. A perforated pizza pan or direct-rack baking improves airflow and helps the underside brown.

8. Newman’s Own Thin & Crispy: best smaller portion

Newman’s Own Thin & Crispy works well for one person or for households that do not want leftovers. Its thinner base cooks quickly and can become pleasantly crisp, but the smaller diameter and lighter weight make it less suitable for feeding several people.

Because thin crust dries out faster, check it early and avoid adding watery vegetables before baking. It is a practical choice when portion control and freezer space matter more than maximum cheese or topping volume.

Choose by Situation

Your priority Best choice Why What to watch for
Lowest practical cost Red Baron Classic Crust Usually a lower price per pizza and broadly available Less substantial crust and topping depth
Crisp bottom Home Run Inn Thin crust browns without becoming cracker-like Smaller serving size
Soft, filling crust DiGiorno Rising Crust Thick, bready edge and generous cheese Center may stay soft
Specialty toppings California Pizza Kitchen BBQ Chicken Distinctive sauce, chicken, and onion combination Less food for the price
Deep-dish experience Motor City Pizza Co. Thick crust and caramelized cheese edge Longer bake and tray required
Small freezer or one-person meal Newman’s Own Thin & Crispy Compact package and modest serving size Can dry out if overbaked

How to Get Better Results From Any Frozen Pizza

  • Preheat fully. Give the oven at least 10 minutes after it reaches the displayed temperature. A partially heated oven encourages a pale, soft crust.
  • Follow the package’s tray instructions. Thick pizzas often need a pan for support, while thin pizzas usually benefit from direct rack heat or a preheated sheet.
  • Do not thaw first. Thawing changes the moisture balance and can produce a soggy center.
  • Rotate only if necessary. Opening the oven repeatedly releases heat. Rotate once near the midpoint if your oven browns unevenly.
  • Rest before slicing. Three to five minutes lets molten cheese settle and makes the crust easier to cut cleanly.

Price and Serving-Size Reality

A $6 pizza is not always the cheaper meal if it feeds only two people. For example, a $10, 30-ounce pizza that provides four modest portions costs about $2.50 per portion. Two $6, 16-ounce pizzas may cost $12 and provide a similar amount of food, raising the cost to about $3 per portion. Compare the package weight and expected servings, not just the shelf price.

Heavy pizzas such as Motor City Pizza Co., Screamin’ Sicilian, and DiGiorno usually deliver the most food per box. Home Run Inn and Newman’s Own often win on texture or portion control rather than quantity. Prices vary by region and promotions, but premium frozen pizzas commonly fall around $8–$12, mainstream family pizzas around $5–$9, and budget options around $4–$7.

Final Verdict

Choose Home Run Inn Classic Cheese for the best crust and most balanced overall bite. Choose Motor City Pizza Co. Double Pepperoni when you want a deep-dish centerpiece, Freschetta Brick Oven Pepperoni for a dependable family compromise, and Red Baron Classic Crust when price and freezer availability matter most. The best store-bought frozen pizza, ranked by your actual priorities rather than the box art, is the one whose crust style, portion, and cooking method match the meal you need.

A
affadmin
We compare specs, materials and verified owner reviews before a product earns a spot. Rankings are never paid.
Affiliate disclosure. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Prices accurate as of the date shown.
Best Store-Bought Frozen Pizza, RankedCheck price on Amazon