The 10 Most Popular Frozen Pizzas in America

Frozen pizzas get a bad reputation. People assume the gas station slice is the ceiling of what the category can deliver. It is not. The frozen pizza section of any major grocery store now stocks dozens of options that genuinely compete with takeout, and the numbers prove it. Americans bought more frozen pizza in 2023 than in any prior year on record, with the market hitting $4.6 billion in retail sales, per the American Frozen Food Institute. This list breaks down which brands are winning and why.

How We Ranked These Frozen Pizzas

Two data streams feed this ranking. The first is Instacart sales data, reported by Food & Wine, which tracks what people actually put in their online carts. The second is taste-test aggregation from Serious Eats (28 brands tested), Wirecutter (26 brands), and BuzzFeed’s blind taste test. Sales data tells you what America buys. Taste tests tell you what critics rate. This list combines both signals so you get the full picture.

The Instacart data is a reliable proxy for real purchasing behavior because it captures basket composition across demographics and geographies, not just self-reported preferences. The taste-test aggregation covers both professional critics and everyday blind testers, which helps balance expert opinion against mainstream palates.

The 10 Most Popular Frozen Pizzas in America

1. Red Baron Red Baron outsells every other frozen pizza brand in the US by a wide margin. Food & Wine’s Instacart data ranked it #1 in volume, and BuzzFeed’s blind taste test gave it an 8.5/10, the second-highest score in the field. It comes in multiple formats: classic round, rising crust, and mini-pizzas. Most varieties land under $5.

2. DiGiorno DiGiorno is the brand most people think of first, and for good reason. It holds the #2 slot by sales and Wirecutter named it the best thick-crust option after testing 26 brands. The rising crust line is the flagship , the dough actually rises during baking, a feature DiGiorno has marketed since the 1990s. Taste-test scores consistently land in the 8-9/10 range.

3. DiGiorno Crispy Pan The crispy pan variety is a relative newcomer that carved out a devoted following fast. Serious Eats flagged it as a standout for texture, noting the cheese develops a golden-brown bottom layer that rivals some takeout. Price sits around $6 to $8 depending on retailer.

4. Tombstone

Tombstone has been a grocery store staple since the 1960s. It scores well on availability and price, with most varieties under $5. Taste-test results place it solidly mid-tier, which means it is reliable without being exciting. The original classic pepperoni remains the most popular single SKU. What Tombstone lacks in standout flavor it makes up for in predictability: you know exactly what you are getting, every time.

5. California Pizza Kitchen California Pizza Kitchen frozen pizzas skew premium. They cost more than most competitors (typically $8-10) but use cleaner ingredient lists and more creative topping combinations. Serious Eats noted the crusts hold up better than most at this price point. Strong choice if you want something closer to a restaurant pizza.

6. Freschetta Freschetta positions itself on pizza quality and variety. The rising crust line is its best seller, and taste testers consistently praise the cheese melt. Available in supermarket frozen sections nationwide. Price range: $5-7.

7. Amy’s

Amy’s is the vegetarian and organic pick. It uses organic cheeses and vegetables without artificial additives. The Margherita pizza ranks among the best reviewed frozen pizzas for quality ingredients, though the crust is thinner and lighter than rising-crust competitors. Amy’s commands a price premium (typically $8-12) but delivers where it counts. The ingredient transparency is a selling point for buyers who care about what goes into their food.

8. Screamin’ Sicilian

Screamin’ Sicilian is a Wisconsin-based brand known for generous toppings and distinctive packaging. The flavor profiles are bolder than most competitors, the “Supremo” varieties especially. Available in most grocery chains, priced at $6-9. A cult favorite among frozen pizza enthusiasts. The brand has a passionate following because it leans into flavor intensity rather than playing it safe.

9. Jack’s Jack’s is the store-brand alternative that punches above its weight. Testers consistently rate it better than expected for the price. Most varieties land between $3-5, making it the strongest budget play after Red Baron. The crispy crust option is particularly well-reviewed.

10. Ellio’s Ellio’s occupies a specific niche: rectangular, thin-crust, and lightweight. It has a devoted following for being easy to snack on and quick to prepare. Serious Eats noted it as a solid option for people who prefer less dough and more topping-to-crust ratio. Price: $3-6.

Best Frozen Pizza by Category

Best Overall: DiGiorno Rising Crust DiGiorno Rising Crust combines the highest sales volume with top-tier taste-test scores. Wirecutter’s recommendation, Serious Eats’ 8/10 rating, and consistent Instacart rankings all point the same direction. If you buy one pizza and want to be impressed, this is it.

Best Value: Red Baron Red Baron delivers taste-test scores competitive with DiGiorno at a lower price point. BuzzFeed gave it 8.5/10. Most varieties cost under $5. For a household that goes through frozen pizza regularly, the savings add up without sacrificing quality.

Best Deep-Dish: Motor City Pizza Co. Wirecutter tested 26 brands and named Motor City Pizza Co. the best deep-dish frozen pizza. It is a Detroit-style pie with a crispy garlic-butter crust and generous cheese distribution. It is harder to find than national brands but worth the hunt if deep-dish is your preference.

Best Thin-Crust: Newman’s Own Newman’s Own thin-crust pizza earned the best pepperoni rating from multiple taste panels. The crust is light and crisps well, the sauce has a cleaner ingredient list than most competitors, and a portion of profits supports the Newman’s Own foundation. Priced at $6-8.

What to Look for When Buying Frozen Pizza

Crust style is the biggest differentiator. “Rising crust” means the dough is uncooked and expands during baking , expect a bready, substantial result. “Pre-baked” or “thin crust” means the crust was cooked before freezing; it will be crispier and lighter. Deep-dish and Detroit-style pizzas have thicker, crispier edge crusts due to the pan method.

Price generally tracks quality but with exceptions. Pizzas over $8 tend to use better cheese and more creative toppings. Pizzas under $4 typically have simpler ingredient lists and thinner crusts. The sweet spot for most households is $5-7.

Spot a good frozen pizza quickly: flip the box and check the sodium and ingredient list. If the sodium per serving exceeds 600mg, the pizza is heavily processed. If the cheese ingredient list includes more than two or three items, the melt quality will suffer. A short, recognizable ingredient list correlates with better taste-test scores.

The Verdict

DiGiorno and Red Baron dominate for a reason: they deliver consistent quality at accessible prices. If you want the best single pizza experience, go DiGiorno Rising Crust. If you want reliable value across multiple meals, Red Baron is the call. The frozen pizza category has improved dramatically over the past decade. For a quick weeknight dinner, the gap between frozen and delivery is smaller than most people think. Do not sleep on Motor City Pizza Co. either if you happen to spot it at the store.