"The mixture of 'fresh' and shredded mozzarella created probably the best frozen-pizza-cheese combo I've ever tasted. I realize that's like debating VHS vs Betamax in a Blu-ray world, but it was still tasty."
The wonderful aroma of fresh cheese provides this pizza with its elegant taste, combined with tomatoes, Edam cheese and a delightful mixture of herbs. Price: $3.99
Dr. Oetker is a German company that produces a whole slew of food products ranging from baking powder and cake mix to frozen pizza.
Although this particular pizza is apparently the number one–selling frozen pizza in Italy, Dr. Oetker recently started selling these pies in grocery stores across the U.S.
So, just to recap: a German company with North American headquarters in Canada releases a pizza to the United States that is super popular in Italy.
All right, then.
The box advises you to cook directly on the rack for 10 to 12 minutes in a preheated 425°F oven.
How'd it taste? Surprisingly delicious.
The crust was light and crisp with a familiar frozen pizza texture, nothing really new in this department. The sauce was flavorful, bright, and thin, a nice tomato taste with a touch of herbs.
The mixture of "fresh" and shredded mozzarella created probably the best frozen-pizza-cheese combo I've ever tasted. I realize that's like debating VHS vs Betamax in a Blu-ray world, but it was still tasty. The herbs and diced tomato that top the pizza were fresh tasting and evenly distributed. This is one frozen pizza you can eat confidently without needing to add any basil or oregano.
Finally, the pizza wasn't overwhelming in size—it was big enough for two normal people to share as a snack or one pizzageek to eat as a meal.
If you keep a stash of frozen pizzas tucked away behind the Trader Joe's frozen edamame (safely concealed so as not to ruin your foodie cred), consider having the Doctor over for a house call.
Is frozen pizza really that popular in Italy? I would imagine that offering frozen pizza in Italy would be like offering frozen hamburgers in the US (that is, a mostly pre-cooked thing that you finish in the oven). When the real deal can be found just down the street within 20 minutes, why spend 10 minutes reheating a frozen version? Eating at weird hours of the day, maybe? Of course, I'm not one who understands why even in the US we eat frozen pizza, when a real pizza can be delivered within 30 minutes to just about anywhere. I haven't eaten a frozen pizza in longer than I can remember.
I don't really eat frozen pizza anymore but I think I secretly enjoy bad frozen pizza more than good frozen pizza. I'd rather have a Jeno's than one of those new puff up crust fancy jobs, or Stouffer's, etc.
Amy's spinach and cheese pizza is really really good too. It's more of a flatbread than pizza though. It's hard to call any frozen pizza, 'pizza', because for me, it's all about having fresh dough and a non homogenized flavor.
Any frozen pizza can use some modding. Add some cooked onion or peppers, shredded leftover chicken, crushed garlic, sausage, salami, pepperoni, anything.
Rescue that thing!
Amy's pizza is def a few cuts above most of the frozen stuff. Whenever it goes on sale I stock up (full price it's $10! WTF?!). 90% of the pizza I've had in LA so far has been mediocre at best - and Amy's is actually *better* than what is available within a 5 mile radius.
-in canada- so have been buying these for a long time. Everytime I have them I am surprised at how good it is given what it is. the spinach one is really good.
as for why would anyone have frozen pizza anymore? well there is the Toronto winter which means I wouldn't go outside just to get a pizza nor would I want to wait 40mins for delivery in a snowstorm. There is the fact that Toronto is so boring that almost everything closes by 2am, even most fast food places DT. There was also that year I didn't live downtown (cuz of work) and didn't have a car so it was impossible to go buy a slice of pizza 'down the street' nor did I want to pay $20 (min$15 order + delivery+ tax) for a pizza craving.
If you want the best frozen pizza right from Italy... Pella! My local supermarket used to carry it but dropped it, life hasn't been the same since... pella...Pella...PELLAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Where ARE you?????????????
I live in the netherlands, and we have dr. oetker products dominating the fridge section. that said, i've tried one of these, and it tasted like ass! it was bland, oily, and the cheese tasted rubbery. i dunno. maybe they dont have quality control or something cause i could not imagine anyone trying this and saying it was okay, let alone delicious.
Oh yeah!..those slices look great...and that upskirt shot is making me wish i knew someone either in Canada, Germany or Italy who could Fed-X me one of those frozen pies right now..mmmm
I had a bout of lactose intolerance while on a lot of meds. Amy's Soy Cheese pizza is pretty good and it's lactose-free. I jazzed it up with vegetables and some meats. Quorn, a meat analog made from a fungus, comes in crumbles that look like ground beef and really made a good pizza. If you ever have any lactose-intolerant, vegan, or just plain obnoxious guests.
These frozen pizzas have been around for quite some time in Canada and are pretty great compared to the competition. The Mozzarella version you tested is quite nice, and I agree with the above suggestions of spinach and mushroom (spinaci and fungi), but my personal favourite is the vegetable version (vegetale). The nice, crispy, thin, crust is liberally covered with a nice range of veggies including orange peppers, yellow beans and even half cherry tomatoes.
Wow, I seem to be gushing about a frozen pizza, but compared to the cardboard crust with freezer-burnt toppings that the competition brings to the table, these are really good!
I tried the Mozzarella version when it first came out several months ago. Found it to be very tasty, and if I'm ever in the market for a frozen pizza, I'll definitely buy it again.
Apparently riding the artisanal pizza wave, I've noticed a pizza in the frozen section the other day described as: 'slow fermented' dough made with 00 flour topped with san marzano tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella.
Since I had to defrost my freezer recently (and lose most of its contents) - it may be time for me to check out some of this frozen pizza craziness with some taste testing.
I love these pizzas! I got hooked on them when I was in Prague for 8 months, and when I first saw the commercial here in the US I was excited! They're different, but tasty.
Another comment from Canada - I first discovered Dr. Oetker pizza when they were selling them on special at the local supermarket for @2.50 each. I bought all the varieties and loved them all except for the spinach (everyone else seems to love it) - they are still the best buy to have handy in the freezer. One of my grand-daughters is ultra fussy and if she doesn't like what I cooked I hand her a Dr. Oetker cheese and pepperoni - she is as happy as can be.
Another from Canada - The mushroom version is fantastic. They're reasonably priced and quick to pop out of the freezer and into the oven. I've never tasted a frozen pizza that could compare to them. Compared to paying $30 for a delivered pizza that you have to wait 30-40 minutes for, this is a decent alternative.
Thanks for commenting! Your comment has been accepted and will appear in a moment.
Add a comment:
Previewing your comment:
HTML Hints
Some HTML is OK: <a href="URL">link</a>, <strong>strong</strong>, <em>em</em>
Comment Guidelines
Post whatever you want, just keep it pleasant. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more at our Comment Policy page.
Print
Dr. Oetker is a German company that produces a whole slew of food products ranging from baking powder and cake mix to frozen pizza.
34 Comments:
Dr Oetker has been in UK supermarkets for some years now. I've never tried it...maybe I should check it out.
FP
foolishpoolish at 4:47PM on 08/20/09
Is frozen pizza really that popular in Italy? I would imagine that offering frozen pizza in Italy would be like offering frozen hamburgers in the US (that is, a mostly pre-cooked thing that you finish in the oven). When the real deal can be found just down the street within 20 minutes, why spend 10 minutes reheating a frozen version? Eating at weird hours of the day, maybe? Of course, I'm not one who understands why even in the US we eat frozen pizza, when a real pizza can be delivered within 30 minutes to just about anywhere. I haven't eaten a frozen pizza in longer than I can remember.
Lorenzo at 4:57PM on 08/20/09
I don't really eat frozen pizza anymore but I think I secretly enjoy bad frozen pizza more than good frozen pizza. I'd rather have a Jeno's than one of those new puff up crust fancy jobs, or Stouffer's, etc.
bobbob at 4:58PM on 08/20/09
I really love Dr Oetker 4-cheese. And the brand boasts pretty impressive picture-on-box fidelity, don't you think?
Michele Humes at 5:00PM on 08/20/09
Amy's spinach and cheese pizza is really really good too. It's more of a flatbread than pizza though. It's hard to call any frozen pizza, 'pizza', because for me, it's all about having fresh dough and a non homogenized flavor.
laurelie at 5:10PM on 08/20/09
My all time favorite frozen pizza. Well, the spinach variety is. Try it. Trust me.
ratbuddy at 5:28PM on 08/20/09
I like frozen pizza cause I don't deal well with other people, like delivery persons.
redfish at 5:42PM on 08/20/09
When I was at University I lived of these pizzas for quite a while
Edwardkimuk at 5:52PM on 08/20/09
Any frozen pizza can use some modding. Add some cooked onion or peppers, shredded leftover chicken, crushed garlic, sausage, salami, pepperoni, anything.
Rescue that thing!
gaffer at 5:55PM on 08/20/09
I love it ... German pizza with HQ in Canada to be #1 in Italy ... this is a fantastic joke !!!!
There is always space for some "good" marketing ... but come on !!!
Coccodimamma at 5:57PM on 08/20/09
Amy's pizza is def a few cuts above most of the frozen stuff. Whenever it goes on sale I stock up (full price it's $10! WTF?!). 90% of the pizza I've had in LA so far has been mediocre at best - and Amy's is actually *better* than what is available within a 5 mile radius.
eatingculture at 6:09PM on 08/20/09
-in canada- so have been buying these for a long time. Everytime I have them I am surprised at how good it is given what it is. the spinach one is really good.
as for why would anyone have frozen pizza anymore? well there is the Toronto winter which means I wouldn't go outside just to get a pizza nor would I want to wait 40mins for delivery in a snowstorm. There is the fact that Toronto is so boring that almost everything closes by 2am, even most fast food places DT. There was also that year I didn't live downtown (cuz of work) and didn't have a car so it was impossible to go buy a slice of pizza 'down the street' nor did I want to pay $20 (min$15 order + delivery+ tax) for a pizza craving.
asianempress at 6:27PM on 08/20/09
If you want the best frozen pizza right from Italy... Pella! My local supermarket used to carry it but dropped it, life hasn't been the same since... pella...Pella...PELLAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Where ARE you?????????????
jonfoxx at 7:18PM on 08/20/09
I live in the netherlands, and we have dr. oetker products dominating the fridge section. that said, i've tried one of these, and it tasted like ass! it was bland, oily, and the cheese tasted rubbery. i dunno. maybe they dont have quality control or something cause i could not imagine anyone trying this and saying it was okay, let alone delicious.
nindi_18 at 7:52PM on 08/20/09
From Canada - Yes on the spinach (spinaci!) Definitely the best variety. I have one in the freezer right now!
PeanutButter at 8:06PM on 08/20/09
Oh yeah!..those slices look great...and that upskirt shot is making me wish i knew someone either in Canada, Germany or Italy who could Fed-X me one of those frozen pies right now..mmmm
L.A. Pizza Maven at 8:21PM on 08/20/09
@L.A. they have these in regular USAian grocery stores. I get mine at Price Chopper.
ratbuddy at 10:43PM on 08/20/09
If you've never tried American Flatbread..... you aren't playing fair when you review other frozen pizza.
Ed Levine was right, American Flatbread is the best frozen pizza in the USA. The crust is the shocking part, it really is like a decent real pizza.
peekpoke at 1:24AM on 08/21/09
Try the mushroom! Its my favorite one.
heavenlyhousewife at 2:16AM on 08/21/09
Its interesting that its supposed to be the best in Italy, but I've never seen it in supermarkets here before. At least in Rome that is.
rinaz at 2:54AM on 08/21/09
I had a bout of lactose intolerance while on a lot of meds. Amy's Soy Cheese pizza is pretty good and it's lactose-free. I jazzed it up with vegetables and some meats. Quorn, a meat analog made from a fungus, comes in crumbles that look like ground beef and really made a good pizza. If you ever have any lactose-intolerant, vegan, or just plain obnoxious guests.
chascates at 3:31AM on 08/21/09
These frozen pizzas have been around for quite some time in Canada and are pretty great compared to the competition. The Mozzarella version you tested is quite nice, and I agree with the above suggestions of spinach and mushroom (spinaci and fungi), but my personal favourite is the vegetable version (vegetale). The nice, crispy, thin, crust is liberally covered with a nice range of veggies including orange peppers, yellow beans and even half cherry tomatoes.
Wow, I seem to be gushing about a frozen pizza, but compared to the cardboard crust with freezer-burnt toppings that the competition brings to the table, these are really good!
dennisharvey at 9:13AM on 08/21/09
The three meat one is amazing! (For a freezer pizza)
Patwcampbell at 9:38AM on 08/21/09
from france- I love those pizza, this one is very good, but i prefer the vegetarian one.
alicette at 9:53AM on 08/21/09
I tried the Mozzarella version when it first came out several months ago. Found it to be very tasty, and if I'm ever in the market for a frozen pizza, I'll definitely buy it again.
Kerosena at 10:41AM on 08/21/09
I grew up on Dr Oetker products; for easy preparation I find their brand devine.
I like this product and I've been eating it for a while.
The "Fungi" variety RULES. I swear its awesome.
I'll continue to purchase this product :)
hungrychristel at 11:40AM on 08/21/09
I love their pizzas! I've been eating them forever.. I like their spinach and mushroom pizza too..
elynne85 at 8:46PM on 08/21/09
Apparently riding the artisanal pizza wave, I've noticed a pizza in the frozen section the other day described as: 'slow fermented' dough made with 00 flour topped with san marzano tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella.
Since I had to defrost my freezer recently (and lose most of its contents) - it may be time for me to check out some of this frozen pizza craziness with some taste testing.
FP
foolishpoolish at 10:33PM on 08/21/09
I thought Paul Newman's new pizzas were the best frozen pizzas.
Mooner at 8:13PM on 08/22/09
I love these pizzas! I got hooked on them when I was in Prague for 8 months, and when I first saw the commercial here in the US I was excited! They're different, but tasty.
Weight WatchWoman at 10:19PM on 08/23/09
we've had these in canada for ages. you can never go wrong with the doctor.
cdcdcd at 12:44AM on 08/24/09
Another comment from Canada - I first discovered Dr. Oetker pizza when they were selling them on special at the local supermarket for @2.50 each. I bought all the varieties and loved them all except for the spinach (everyone else seems to love it) - they are still the best buy to have handy in the freezer. One of my grand-daughters is ultra fussy and if she doesn't like what I cooked I hand her a Dr. Oetker cheese and pepperoni - she is as happy as can be.
bareneed at 11:48AM on 08/24/09
I generally trust the Dr. Oetker brand because their baking products in Germany are excellent too.
brigittesm at 2:01PM on 08/24/09
Another from Canada - The mushroom version is fantastic. They're reasonably priced and quick to pop out of the freezer and into the oven. I've never tasted a frozen pizza that could compare to them. Compared to paying $30 for a delivered pizza that you have to wait 30-40 minutes for, this is a decent alternative.
cickert at 11:40PM on 08/24/09