Frederic Melton
Frozen pizza is a convenient meal option, but it's not exactly gourmet. Luckily, there are several ways to upgrade a frozen cheese pizza. Start with a good-quality pizza and crank up the oven temperature to get an ultra-crispy crust. You can also use a pizza stone or cast-iron skillet for a crispier base. To add flavour, try stronger, more intense toppings like prosciutto, grilled figs, Gorgonzola cheese, heirloom tomatoes, or charred radicchio. You can also add leftover proteins like chicken, pork, or steak, or vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms. For an extra kick, add seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, or red pepper flakes, and finish with a drizzle of high-quality olive oil or spicy honey.
How to Doctor Up Frozen Cheese Pizza
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Oven Temperature | Crank up the temperature to 550°F to emulate a brick oven |
| Baking Surface | Use a pizza stone, cast iron skillet, or griddle for a crispier crust |
| Crust | Brush with butter or olive oil and sprinkle with seasonings, garlic powder, onion powder, or Parmesan cheese |
| Toppings | Fresh toppings like cherry tomatoes, arugula, prosciutto, grilled figs, Gorgonzola cheese, heirloom tomatoes, or charred radicchio |
| Condiments | Drizzle with high-quality olive oil, spicy honey, aged balsamic, or ranch |
| Herbs | Sprinkle fresh herbs like basil, oregano, or chives |
| Cheese | Add extra cheese like mozzarella, cheddar, Gruyere, or feta |
| Leftovers | Use leftover proteins like chicken, pork, or steak, and vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or mushrooms |
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What You'll Learn
- Toppings: add prosciutto, grilled figs, gorgonzola, heirloom tomatoes, or charred radicchio
- Crust: use a pizza stone, cast iron pan, or skillet for a crispier crust
- Cheese: add mozzarella, gouda, cheddar, or feta for extra flavour
- Spiciness: drizzle honey on spicy toppings to add a subtle sweetness
- Seasoning: sprinkle salt, garlic powder, onion powder, or red pepper flakes on the crust
Toppings: add prosciutto, grilled figs, gorgonzola, heirloom tomatoes, or charred radicchio
When it comes to adding toppings to your frozen cheese pizza, it's essential to start with a good-quality pizza. No amount of toppings can make up for a poor-quality base. Choose toppings with strong and intense flavours to truly elevate your pizza. Here are some ideas focusing on prosciutto, grilled figs, gorgonzola, heirloom tomatoes, and charred radicchio:
Prosciutto
Prosciutto is a delicious, thinly sliced, salty addition to any pizza. It is easy to use and can be added to your pizza in a variety of ways. For a crisp texture, add the prosciutto before baking the pizza. If you prefer a softer, fresher prosciutto, add it to your pizza after it comes out of the oven. You can also try layering prosciutto with baby arugula for a unique twist.
Grilled Figs
Grilled figs add a touch of sweetness to your pizza. They can be grilled alongside the pizza or added after the pizza is baked. Grilled figs pair well with other toppings like gorgonzola cheese and prosciutto.
Gorgonzola
Gorgonzola is a strong-flavoured cheese that doesn't melt like traditional pizza cheeses. It's best to add gorgonzola halfway through the cooking process to avoid liquefaction. You can also add it at the end, allowing it to soften and puddle without fully melting.
Heirloom Tomatoes
Heirloom tomatoes make for a simple yet delicious topping. Fresh heirloom tomatoes are paired with ricotta cheese for a summery flavour. Bake your pizza until golden brown, then add the tomatoes and return it to the oven for a minute or two until they start to soften.
Charred Radicchio
Charred radicchio adds a unique, slightly bitter flavour to your pizza. It pairs well with other toppings like gorgonzola and grilled figs. Remember to always finish your pizza with a drizzle of high-quality olive oil and a sprinkle of salt to enhance the flavours.
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Crust: use a pizza stone, cast iron pan, or skillet for a crispier crust
Using a pizza stone, cast iron pan, or skillet is a great way to get a crispier crust on your frozen cheese pizza. Here are some tips to achieve that:
Pizza Stone
Pizza stones are ceramic slabs designed to withstand very high temperatures, providing a crispy crust. Before using a new pizza stone, wipe it down with a damp cloth to remove any dust. Preheat your oven to the temperature recommended on the pizza box. Once preheated, place the frozen pizza directly on the stone and bake. The time will vary depending on the heat intensity, but cook until the cheese is gooey and the crust is golden. After baking, allow the stone to cool completely before removing it from the oven and cleaning. Avoid using soap, as the stone will absorb and retain the taste. Instead, use a plastic or metal scraper to remove any residue, and then wipe away excess grease with a wet cloth.
Cast Iron Pan or Skillet
Cast iron pans or skillets are excellent for conducting heat, and when combined with oil, they produce a crispy crust with golden edges. Preheat your oven to a high temperature, ideally around 500°F (260°C). Coat the bottom of the pan or skillet with extra-virgin olive oil, which helps the crust get crispier. Stretch the pizza dough into the pan, pushing it up the sides. You can also poke the dough with your fingertips to eliminate large air bubbles, which can cause the crust to not brown or crisp properly. Sprinkle the edges with cheese to get those crispy, browned edges. Place the pan in the oven and bake until the cheese is bubbling and the crust is golden brown. The cast-iron pan method works best with shredded, low-moisture mozzarella, which keeps the pizza crisp and light.
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Cheese: add mozzarella, gouda, cheddar, or feta for extra flavour
Adding extra cheese to a frozen pizza can take it to a whole new level. While it's possible to go overboard with too much cheese, a sprinkling of high-quality mozzarella, gouda, cheddar, or feta can add extra flavour.
If you're using a melting cheese like mozzarella, layer it on just before the pizza goes into the oven. For less melty cheeses, like feta, crumble it on top of the pizza straight after it comes out of the oven. Whole slices of fresh mozzarella can also be added, or you could go for smoked mozzarella for a more intense flavour.
Gouda is another great option, adding a unique flavour to the pizza. Researchers at the University of Auckland found that mozzarella and cheddar struck the perfect balance in terms of elasticity, oil content, moisture levels, texture, and "transition temperature" (the perfect taste and bubbly visual appeal). So, a combination of these two cheeses is sure to be a winner.
You could also add other cheeses like ricotta, pepper jack, or even blue cheese. Just remember, when it comes to cheese, quality is key, and a little can go a long way!
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Spiciness: drizzle honey on spicy toppings to add a subtle sweetness
Honey, especially hot honey, is a great way to add a subtle sweetness to your frozen pizza and tone down its spiciness. It is a spicy yet sweet condiment that has gained a lot of popularity in recent years.
You can add honey to your pizza by drizzling it on top after the pizza is cooked, golden, and bubbly. You can also add some other ingredients to enhance the flavour. For example, pickled pepperoncini and pickled jalapeños go great with hot honey and can be tossed on before baking your pizza or sprinkled on top with the honey.
You can also add some fresh herbs like basil, oregano, or chives, and sprinkle them on before serving. You can also blend them with a little olive oil for a quick infused oil that can be drizzled on top.
Additionally, you can add some crunch to your pizza by sprinkling on some crushed red pepper flakes or Calabrian chilli peppers. If you want to add some more savoury notes, you can add some crumbled feta cheese or blue cheese right after baking.
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Seasoning: sprinkle salt, garlic powder, onion powder, or red pepper flakes on the crust
Frozen pizzas are a convenient and quick meal option, but they can often be lacking in flavour. A simple way to enhance a frozen cheese pizza is to sprinkle salt, garlic powder, onion powder, or red pepper flakes on the crust before baking. This adds a savoury depth to the crust and elevates the overall taste of the pizza.
When it comes to seasoning the crust of a frozen cheese pizza, there are a variety of options to choose from. One option is to sprinkle salt on the crust. Salt can help enhance the other flavours of the pizza and bring out the taste of the cheese. It can also help balance out other seasonings, creating a well-rounded flavour profile.
Another option is to use garlic powder. Garlic adds a savoury kick to the crust and pairs well with the cheese and tomato sauce of a traditional pizza. Onion powder can also be used, providing a subtle sweetness and depth of flavour that complements the other ingredients. For those who enjoy a spicy kick, red pepper flakes are an excellent choice to sprinkle on the crust. They add a punch of heat that can be adjusted to your preference.
To apply these seasonings effectively, it is recommended to brush the crust with melted butter or olive oil before sprinkling on the desired seasonings. This not only helps the seasonings adhere to the crust but also adds flavour and promotes browning during baking, resulting in a more appealing and delicious crust. It is important to note that butter and olive oil have different smoke points, so they may burn if exposed to high temperatures for too long. Therefore, it is advisable to add them towards the end of the baking process or when the pizza is close to being fully cooked.
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Frequently asked questions
To get the perfect crust, you can crank up the oven temperature to its max to get an ultra-crispy crust. You can also use a pizza stone, cast iron skillet, or griddle to bake the pizza for a crispier crust. If you don't want your crust to get too crispy, finish the pizza under the broiler for a minute or two.
You can add fresh toppings such as cherry tomatoes, arugula, prosciutto, grilled figs, gorgonzola cheese, heirloom tomatoes, or charred radicchio. You can also add leftover proteins like shredded chicken, pork, or steak. For a Western flair, add cooked chorizo and jalapeno slices. Don't forget to drizzle a high-quality olive oil and sprinkle some salt on your pizza when it comes out of the oven.
You can add condiments such as spicy honey, aged balsamic, or ranch. You can also add fresh herbs like basil, oregano, or chives. For a more intense flavor, you can loosely shred the basil leaves before sprinkling them on top.
