Have you ever found yourself staring at a frozen pizza in the grocery store, wondering if it could possibly be as good as a freshly made one? If so, you’re not alone. Frozen pizzas get a bad rap from foodies, but what if I told you that Costco’s Kirkland Signature Frozen Pepperoni Pizza is the exception to the rule?
While frozen pizzas are convenient for so many reasons, getting the perfect bake can be a challenge; that’s where this blog comes in to save the day. Here, we will go over the best practices and instructions for cooking Costco’s frozen pizza to perfection.
Let’s dive into our Costco frozen pizza instructions!
Kirkland’s Signature Frozen Pepperoni Pizza
If you’re looking for an affordable and delicious frozen food option, Costco’s Kirkland’s Signature Frozen Pepperoni Pizza may be just what you’re looking for. At $13.49 for a 4-pack, these pizzas are priced similarly to other frozen pizzas you might find at a typical grocery store.
However, they offer a few unique features that set them apart from competitors such as Red Baron or DiGiorno.
First off, the crust is light and flaky, which adds a nice texture to the overall pizza experience. The tomato sauce is also worth noting, as it’s made from ripe tomatoes and a secret blend of herbs and spices that gives it a slightly sweet and savory flavor.
When it comes to toppings, this frozen pizza sticks to the basics but doesn’t disappoint whatsoever. The pizza is loaded with ample amounts of creamy mozzarella and white cheddar cheese, and it also features a double layer of spicy all-pork pepperoni.
It’s worth noting that the packaging for these pizzas is quite minimalist; instead of relying on flashy marketing tactics, Costco simply displays a picture of the pizza on the box and includes the words “Pepperoni Pizza Thin Crust – 100% Real Cheese.” This speaks to the quality of the product itself, which apparently speaks for itself!
Simple, effective, no-hassle – it’s just what we’d expect from Costco and Kirkland’s Signature food.
How’s the Taste?
When it comes to frozen pizzas and foods sourced from any supermarket’s frozen aisles, it’s not always easy to tell if you’re going to get a quality product or not. However, Costco’s version certainly delivers, especially for the price it’s listed at.
One thing that stands out about this pizza is that what you see on the box is pretty much what you get. When cooked according to the instructions, the pizza turns out beautifully with a golden-brown crust and plenty of melted cheese; and let’s not forget about the pepperoni — this pizza is absolutely loaded with it! If you’re a pepperoni fanatic, it’s safe to say you’re going to love this one,
While the taste of the pizza is good as a whole, there are a few things to note. One potential downside is the amount of oil that can be present on the pizza after cooking. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s worth being aware of; I find that paper towel is an easy way to absorb any extra oil if it pools on the surface.
In terms of flavor, the pepperoni is definitely the star of the show. It’s high-quality and delicious and definitely beats what you might find on other frozen pizzas. I’m no pepperoni connoisseur, but the quality even rivals what you might get from a local pizzeria, and while it is not particularly spicy (the best pepperoni slices have a bit of a kick to them), it’s delicious nonetheless.
The cheese, on the other hand, is pretty standard for frozen pizzas. While it’s tasty, it has a tendency to separate from the pizza and can be a bit too easy to pull off. There’s nothing that turns me off about pizzas more than biting into the edge of a slice and simultaneously pulling off the entire slab of cheese in the process; fortunately, this only happened once.
As for the crust, it’s above average for a frozen pizza but still has that unmistakable frozen pizza taste. It’s thin as advertised but can be a bit bland, and it doesn’t add a ton of flavor to the overall pizza experience. Still, it’s perfectly serviceable and doesn’t suffer from being too doughy, which is a major turn-off for most with frozen pizzas.
All in all, for just over $3 per pizza, Costco’s Kirkland Signature Frozen Pepperoni Pizza is a solid choice. While it may not blow your socks off, it’s definitely a step up from the average DiGiorno or Red Baron pies you’ll find in the frozen aisles.
Costco Frozen Pizza Instructions: Conventional Oven
For those looking to enjoy the Kirkland Signature Frozen Pepperoni Pizza from Costco, baking it in a conventional oven is a simple and hassle-free method.
To start, preheat your conventional oven to a toasty 425°F. Then, take a baking pan and line it with foil, followed by spraying it with cooking oil. Next, carefully place the frozen pizza on the prepared pan, and position it in the center rack of the oven.
Now comes the waiting game. Set a timer for 12 to 15 minutes, but keep in mind that each oven may vary slightly. The secret is to rely on appearance rather than the timer to determine if your pizza is ready to be savored; of course, you’ll want to look for a golden-brown crust and melted cheese.
Once your pizza reaches this perfect state, it’s time to take it out of the oven and indulge in a delicious slice of cheesy, peppery goodness.
Costco Frozen Pizza Instructions: Convection Oven
While not the official cooking instructions, these steps are a great way to cook your Costco frozen pizza a little faster and get that perfectly toasted crust you’ve been dreaming of.
First, preheat your convection oven to 425°F and line your baking pan with foil. Give it a quick spray of cooking oil, and then place your frozen pizza on the pan, making sure it’s in the center position on the center rack. Now, bake the pizza for about 11 to 14 minutes until the crust is a beautiful golden brown and the cheese is melted to perfection.
Keep in mind that all ovens are different, so keep an eye on the pizza’s appearance to determine if it’s ready to go.
In the end, this method should result in a delectable pizza that will satisfy your cravings in no time!
Costco Frozen Pizza Instructions: Air Fryer
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to heat up your frozen Costco meal, the air fryer is the way to go! Not only will it be speedy, but the result will also be a hot and crispy pizza that’s sure to satisfy your cravings. First, preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
Then, simply place your frozen pepperoni pizza in the air fryer and heat it up for 8-11 minutes or until the cheese and crust are a beautiful golden brown. Obviously, don’t worry about shaking or flipping the pizza – just let it do its thing in the air fryer.
Nutritional Information
As expected for pizza, the nutritional information isn’t exactly a health buff’s dream come true. It’s not meant to be a salad but rather a fast and tasty snack or meal option whenever you’re in a rush.
However, it’s worth noting that the sodium levels in this frozen pizza are pretty high, so it’s best to enjoy it in moderation and pair it with a refreshing glass of sparkling water to stay hydrated.
- Total Fat: 24g (31% DV)
- Cholesterol: 45mg (15% DV)
- Sodium: 990mg (43% DV)
- Total Carbohydrates: 29g (11% DV)
- Dietary Fiber: 1g (4% DV)
- Total Sugars: 5g
- Added Sugars: 2g (4% DV)
- Protein: 16g
- Serving Size: 1/4 Pizza (135g)
Again, the sodium content is particularly noteworthy, as is often the case with frozen foods.
For a single serving of just one-fourth of the pizza, you’re consuming a whopping 990 mg of sodium, which amounts to 43% of your recommended Daily Value as per the FDA’s nutritional intake guidelines. That’s a pretty high volume of sodium for a relatively small serving size, but we know why we’re buying Costco frozen pizza – it’s not for our diet!
Closing Thoughts
Costco’s frozen pizza instructions are super-easy to follow. This is a great option for anyone looking for an affordable and delicious frozen meal. The pizza’s crust is light and flaky, the tomato sauce has a slightly sweet and savory flavor, and the double layer of spicy all-pork pepperoni adds a delicious kick to the pie.
While the cheese can be a bit too easy to pull off, and there can be a fair amount of oil present on the pizza after cooking, overall, it’s a solid choice that’s a step up from other frozen pizzas available in the grocery store.
With the simple and hassle-free instructions provided, anyone can easily cook a perfect pizza. So, next time you’re in the frozen aisle at Costco, don’t hesitate to pick up a pack and enjoy a delicious, easy-to-make meal at home.
