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There is no shortage of frozen pizzas on the market. (I have written about many of them, from Costco finds to supermarket staples.) Trader Joe’s has many of its own, which should come as no surprise to regular shoppers of the store as it devotes much of its limited square footage to frozen meals.
A recent addition to their frozen pizza portfolio started generating some online buzz. On Reddit, early reviews said: “It was divine” or “It’s their best one now!” On social media, accounts like trader_joes_treasure_hunt on Instagram noted its “authentic light and airy Italian crust,” while traderjoestalia films herself trying the pizza for the first time and gives it a glowing review.
The new Trader Joe’s frozen pizza everyone is raving about is not your typical pie. It’s their Pizza Bianca, a new white pie topped with a creamy Parmesan cheese sauce, mozzarella, grated Parmesan, onion, and rosemary.
Credit: Trader Joe’s
What Makes This Pizza So Good
The sauce is what really sets the pizza apart. Instead of a traditional tomato base, it uses a creamy Parmesan cheese sauce that tastes like Alfredo. It’s then showered in more Parmesan cheese as well as melty mozzarella, crispy onions, and rosemary. Although both onions and rosemary can be quite pungent, there’s just the right amount of each on the pizza to ensure they don’t overwhelm each bite.
It’s a simple pizza, but each element is done really well. If I have one critique, it’s that it is a bit small, better as a personal pie rather than to be shared. Then again, it only retails for $4.99 so it’s hard to complain. I also appreciate that the ingredient list is fairly short and straightforward.
According to the box, the dough that forms the base of this Pizza Bianca is allowed to naturally rise for 24 hours and is baked in a wood-burning oven. It also states that following “Italian tradition” the dough is made with only five ingredients: flour, water, extra-virgin olive oil, salt, and yeast. Serving instructions suggest adding fresh arugula “for a zesty contrast to the rich, melty cheese,” which I agree could help cut through some of the richness of the cheese.
Ways To Make It Better
This is a great pizza on its own, but the box’s suggestion of adding something sharp or bright got me thinking about ways I might dress it up. Talia Heskett, aka traderjoestalia, suggest a balsamic glaze drizzle, which I tried and liked. I think chopped Calabrian chiles would be nice (or hot honey).
Some sautéed mushrooms could add heft and make the pizza more filling. To really gild the lily, dollops of ricotta could be added, or even hand-torn burrata over top. A few ribbons of prosciutto wouldn’t be bad either. Or simply serve it as is. Sometimes the best thing you can do is leave something well enough alone.
Read the original article on Southern Living
Dining and Cooking