When it comes to pizza, my tastes fall across a pretty wide spectrum. As much as I crave a hot and ready slice from my local pizzeria, I still have a soft spot in my heart for almost anything of the frozen variety. And seeing as I stop by my local Trader Joe’s on a weekly basis, every visit turns into a game of which frozen pie I’ll be trying next.
This week’s pizza dinner? A newcomer to the freezer aisle: Trader Joe’s Detroit Style Uncured Pepperoni Pizza. Priced at just $7.99, I had high hopes the moment I tossed it into my cart. For starters, I happened to grab the last one available, which told me it was already a hit with shoppers. And second, it promised a crispy-edged crust that with a fluffy bite I just knew I wouldn’t be able to resist.
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Detroit Style Uncured Pepperoni Pizza, $7.99 at Trader Joe’s
Nathan Hutsenpiller
Sporting a classic rectangular shape and a deep, crispy-edged crust, Trader Joe’s Detroit Style Uncured Pepperoni Pizza does a great job of paying homage to traditional Detroit-style pizza. Inspired by the pies that started converting thin-crust fans back in 1946, it comes in a rectangular, oven-friendly pan, topped with a bright, garlicky tomato sauce, along with Parmesan, Romano and mozzarella cheeses and a generous amount of uncured pepperoni.
Easy Dinner Done Right
Nathan Hutsenpiller
What really sets this pie apart from others like it is that the tray it’s served in is sprinkled with cheese prior to the pizza’s assembly. While it might sound wasteful, this crucial step creates a golden, crispy underside that pairs beautifully with the pizza’s pillowy interior crust. This truly minor upgrade boasts incredible results, and it’s details that make this pizza feel like an elevated easy dinner staple.
I also really appreciate how easy the pizza is to prepare. All you have to do is remove the plastic wrap before baking, and roughly 22 minutes in a 425°F oven was enough to get it piping hot with a perfectly crispy crust and melty cheese. The included oven-safe tray also seemed to lock in heat beautifully, helping create a deeply caramelized, cheesy bottom layer with a crispy texture I didn’t want to end.
Related: I Tried This $5 Trader Joe’s Limited-Time Snack, and Now I Can’t Stop Thinking About It
Final Thoughts
Nathan Hutsenpiller
As a fan of frozen pizzas, I’m aware that my bar has the potential to be not as high as others. But when it comes to Trader Joe’s Detroit Style Uncured Pepperoni Pizza, I really feel like I discovered a new easy dinner gem. And while I was lucky enough to grab the last one, its bold mix of traditional pizza flavors and crispy, yet pillowy crust secured it as a new favorite, one I’ll definitely be stocking up on during my next visit.
Related: 15 Discontinued Fast-Food Burgers We Are Still Begging Them to Bring Back
