There comes a time every week, or every couple of weeks, when the question, “What’s for dinner?” just can’t be answered again. It’s on those nights, when it’s already 7 p.m. and I’ve barely walked through the door, much less thought about what to eat, that takeout or food delivery seem to be a good option. The only problem is that even those take time and a bit of planning to execute. Not to mention, there’s a heavy cost associated with both. On nights when I’m starving and don’t have the time or energy to call for takeout or wait for food delivery to arrive, I turn to my freezer and pull out my favorite ALDI find. Mama Cozzi’s Original Thin Pizza is always there to fill my belly and put me in a better mood.
Why I Love Mama Cozzi’s Original Thin Pizza
I’ve tried a lot of frozen pizzas, from bready DiGiorno to thin Tombstone and everything in between, but somehow nothing compares to ALDI’s Mama Cozzi’s brand. Even more expensive artisan-style pies get beat out by this humble freezer staple.
I’ve contemplated over and over in my head what makes this particular pizza so special, and I think it comes down to two things: ratios and simplicity.
First, Mama Cozzi’s Original Thin Pizza has achieved the perfect crust to sauce to cheese to topping ratio. The sauce is flavorful and complementary without being overpowering and goopy. The cheese actually covers the entire pizza rather than leaving sad bare spots like most frozen pizzas do. The toppings, whether you choose classic pepperoni, meat lover’s, or supreme, are well dispersed and plentiful. And the crust is just thin enough to crisp perfectly in the oven and still provide a solid base for the rest of the ingredients.
Second, Mama Cozzi’s knows you don’t need all the bells and whistles if you do something well. It’s for this reason that I typically always pick up the classic pepperoni pizza rather than complicating a good thing with too many toppings.
Convenience and cost are two major big factors when having a frozen pizza meal, so the fact that this requires only 11 to 14 minutes to cook is another huge draw. Typically by the time I get this baking and start another task, the oven timer is already beeping and it’s time for dinner. And at just $2.89 for a 16-inch pizza that feeds both me and my husband, well, I’ve been hard pressed to find a better bargain.
For those who aren’t fans of thin crust pizza, Mama Cozzi also makes stuffed and rising crust versions, a deli take-and-bake pie, and a French bread pizza.
How to Upgrade Up Your Frozen Pizza Night
If you’re hoping for something a little more gourmet than a frozen pizza dinner, albeit a perfect one, there are several ways to liven up your meal.
Zhuzh up the pizza by adding little pockets of minced jarred garlic, extra cheese like shredded Parmesan, and Italian seasoning to the top.
Add extra toppings like fresh mushroom, onion, bell peppers, crumbled bacon, or olives.
Serve it alongside a big green salad.
Read the original article on Southern Living
Dining and Cooking