Digiorno Cheese Pizza: Cooking Time And Tips

Cooking a frozen DiGiorno pizza is simple, but there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure it's cooked to perfection. Firstly, always keep the pizza frozen until you're ready to cook it – don't thaw it beforehand. Preheat your oven to between 375°F and 425°F, depending on the type of crust. For a classic crust, preheat to 400°F. For a hand-tossed style crust, 375°F is recommended, while a thin and crispy stuffed crust should be cooked at 425°F. Remove the pizza from its packaging and place it on a baking pan or directly on the center oven rack, as instructed on the box. The bake time varies depending on the type of pizza, but it typically ranges from 18 to 27 minutes. It's important to ensure the pizza is cooked thoroughly to 160°F-165°F for food safety and quality. Let the pizza cool for about 5 minutes before serving to avoid burning yourself and enjoy your delicious, crispy DiGiorno pizza!

Oven temperature and preheating

Preheating the oven is essential, and you should always keep the pizza frozen during this step. The oven should reach the desired temperature before placing the pizza inside. This ensures that the pizza cooks evenly and prevents undercooking or burning. The preheating time will vary depending on your oven, so it's important to monitor it closely.

Once the oven has preheated, you can proceed with the rest of the cooking instructions. Remember to remove the pizza from its packaging and place it directly on the center oven rack or a baking pan, as instructed. The bake time will vary depending on the type of pizza, so refer to the specific instructions on the box. It is crucial to ensure that the pizza reaches an internal temperature of 160°F to 165°F for food safety and quality.

Additionally, it is recommended to let the pizza stand for about 5 minutes after cooking to cool slightly and allow the flavors to settle. This brief waiting period will enhance your dining experience.

Pizza placement in the oven

To cook a DiGiorno pizza, preheat your oven to 400°F. Keep the pizza frozen while preheating. Remove the pizza from the box, freshness wrap, and cardboard. Place the pizza directly on the center oven rack, 6 to 8 inches from the bottom of the oven.

Now, for some general tips on pizza placement in the oven:

The position of the oven rack matters when baking pizza. Most ovens have two heating sources, one at the bottom and one at the top. The bottom heat source is what occasionally kicks in to maintain the oven's temperature. Therefore, the bottom oven rack is great for crust breads and pizzas, as you want to intensely brown the bottom of these baked goods. The top oven rack is better for pies and casseroles, as you want a crusty brown top. The middle oven rack is the perfect place for cakes, cookies, and brownies, as the heat is more evenly distributed, and the tops and bottoms aren't in danger of burning or browning too quickly.

If you are using a baking tray for your pizza, you want to get as much radiant heat into the bottom crust as possible to ensure it is fully cooked and not soggy. Therefore, in an oven with a bottom heating element, you want the oven rack in the bottom position. If you have a top-heating oven, you will need to blind-bake the crust until it is halfway done, then flip it, add toppings, and finish it. Alternatively, you can do the pizza in a cast-iron pan on the stovetop first, then finish it in the oven. In either case, with a top-heating oven, you want the rack closer to the element, so the pizza is only about 2-3 inches (5-8cm) away from it.

If you are baking more than one pizza at a time, you can start by placing them on the top and bottom racks and then switch their positions halfway through the cooking process. This will help ensure even baking.

Finally, if you want your cheese to be oozy and pull away when you grab a slice, place the pizza on the top rack after it's already cooked and set the oven to the broil setting. Keep a close eye on it, as it can go from broiled to burnt very quickly.

Pizza temperature before cooking

The ideal temperature for cooking pizza is a topic of much debate, with many different opinions and methods. However, there seems to be a consensus that a higher temperature is better.

Pizza ovens in restaurants can reach temperatures of 800-900°F, and while a home oven won't get that hot, it is generally recommended to set your oven to the highest temperature, ideally between 450-550°F. This high heat helps the dough rise, puff, and bake quickly, giving you that coveted golden crust.

For a DiGiorno pizza, the recommended cooking temperature is 400°F. It is important to keep the pizza frozen while preheating the oven, and to ensure the pizza is cooked thoroughly to 165°F for food safety and quality.

However, some people choose to thaw their pizza before cooking, as this can help it cook more evenly. This can be done by leaving the pizza out at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking.

Additionally, it is worth noting that oven temperatures can vary, so you may need to adjust the baking time and temperature as needed. An oven thermometer can be useful to get an accurate reading of your oven's temperature.

For a crunchy crust, you can preheat a baking sheet or cast-iron skillet in the bottom of the oven and toss in ice cubes when you load the pizza to create steam. Alternatively, placing your pizza on a preheated pizza stone or steel will help to absorb and retain heat, resulting in a nicely baked crust.

Pizza toppings

There are endless possibilities when it comes to pizza toppings. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Meat Toppings:

• Pepperoni
• Bacon
• Sausage
• Ham
• Salami
• Prosciutto
• Chorizo
• Ground Beef
• Meatballs
• Chicken
• Turkey
• Gyro Meat

Vegetable Toppings:

• Onion (red, spring, caramelized)
• Mushrooms
• Capsicum/Bell Peppers
• Olives
• Tomatoes (cherry, sundried)
• Artichokes
• Pineapple
• Eggplant/Aubergine
• Zucchini
• Spinach
• Broccoli
• Asparagus
• Peas
• Rocket/Arugula
• Kale
• Corn
• Potato
• Pumpkin
• Cauliflower

Cheese Toppings:

• Mozzarella
• Parmesan
• Feta
• Blue Cheese
• Provolone
• Gruyere
• Ricotta
• Goat Cheese
• Paneer

Sauce Bases:

• Tomato Sauce/Passata
• Pesto
• BBQ Sauce
• Chilli/Chilli Crisp Oil
• Garlic Oil
• Olive Oil
• Ranch

Other Toppings:

• Eggs
• Prawns/Shrimp
• Anchovies
• Nuts (pine nuts, pistachios)
• Herbs (basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, dill, mint, lemon verbena)
• Spices (chilli, paprika, Za'atar)
• Honey (e.g. hot honey)
• Nutritional Yeast
• Pickles (e.g. jalapenos, capers)
• Citrus (lemon, lime, orange)

Cooking time

The cooking time for a DiGiorno cheese pizza varies depending on the type of crust and the method of cooking. Here is a detailed guide to help you achieve the perfect cooking time for your DiGiorno cheese pizza:

Oven-Baked Pizza:

Firstly, preheat your oven to 400°F. Keep the pizza frozen during preheating. Remove the pizza from its box, freshness wrap, and cardboard. Place the pizza directly on the center oven rack, about 6 to 8 inches from the bottom of the oven. For stuffed crust pizzas, you may want to place the pizza on a pan instead.

The bake time will depend on the type of crust:

• Rising Crust Pizza: Bake for 18-21 minutes.
• Thin & Crispy Stuffed Crust Pizza: Bake at 425°F for the recommended time.
• Classic Crust Cheese Pizza: Bake at 400°F for the recommended time.
• Hand-Tossed Crust Pizza: Preheat to 375°F and bake for 18 minutes.
• Detroit-Style Crust Pizza: Bake at 400°F for the recommended time.
• Loaded Ultra Thin Crust Pizza: Bake at 425°F for the recommended time.

It is important to note that ovens may vary, so adjust the baking time and temperature as needed. The pizza is done when the cheese is melted and the edges are golden brown. Always ensure the pizza is cooked thoroughly to 160°F-165°F for food safety and quality.

Microwave:

Microwaving instructions vary depending on the wattage of your microwave. First, remove the pizza from its packaging and place it on a circle rack in the microwave. For best results, cook one pizza at a time. Here are the recommended cooking times for different wattages:

• 600 to 800 Watts: Cook for 4 minutes and 30 seconds.
• 800 to 1100 Watts: Cook for 3 minutes and 30 seconds.
• 1100 Watts: Cook for 3 minutes.

Air Fryer and Pan-Fried:

Although specific timings are not provided, DiGiorno pizzas can also be cooked in an air fryer or pan-fried, similar to cooking fresh pizzas.

General Tips:

• Always keep the pizza frozen until you are ready to cook it. Do not thaw the pizza beforehand.
• Let the pizza stand for 5 minutes after cooking to cool slightly and for the best taste experience.
• For even cooking, some people choose to thaw the pizza for about 30 minutes before cooking. However, this is not recommended by the manufacturer.
• If using a baking pan, brush it with oil or line it with parchment paper before placing the frozen pizza on it.
• You can add extra toppings such as cheese, green onions, grilled chicken, or vegetables before baking.

Frequently asked questions