In the mood for pizza, but not really in the mood to wait around for takeout, I swung by ALDI and bought a couple of their Mama Cozzi brand ready-to-bake 'zas for supper the other night. I picked up two 16-inchers: one pepperoni and one "four meat" for a total of about $15.
Just like with many other ALDI items, Mama Cozzi's pizza is pretty good, especially when judged fairly for what it is. There's no way it would ever compare with the awesomeness of a Frank Pepe New Haven pizza, for example. It's not as good as most neighborhood pizzas (notice I said "most." There are lots of really bad neighborhood pizza joints out there.) But in comparison to the fast-food crap they sell at Domino's, Pizza Hut, Little Caesar's, or Papa Johns you'll be pleasantly surprised by both the lower price and far superior quality of the Mama Cozzi product over those ketchup-on-cardboard creations.
The "four meat" pizza, advertised as including pepperoni, sausage, bacon, and "seasoned beef," was better than I thought it was going to be from the looks. The crust was thinnish and baked crispy on the bottom with some breadiness above (a nice balance,) generously spread with sauce, and had plenty of meat in every bite. The pepperoni and bacon tended to get a little lost against the sausage and beef, but the overall flavor was better than average.
The pepperoni was my favorite of the two, though. Covered with both slices and diced bits of pepperoni, the pizza was spicy and delicious. The pepperoni used was zesty and of high quality and I was favorably impressed.
These pizzas are never going to win awards, and I doubt anyone would choose one of them over a family-owned non-national-chain-produced pizza. But I would certainly go with Mama Cozzi over Pizza Hut, any day.
I have a PhD in Pizzaology, Dave. I earned it at the Institue of Life. I've eaten pizza from everywhere, for my entire life (more years than I care to mention). I've had my share of frozen, fresh, and franchise pizza. Recently (very recently) I learned how to come close to pizza parlor pizza, in my own kitchen. Not the same, but close. I never could figure out how the big pizza chains, like Pizza Hut, etc., became so successful. They must have earned their wings outside of New England, because New England has great pizza joints. New York, also, of course. One of my all time favorites is Frank Pepe's in New Haven. But I find that there are many great pizzas, all different from one another, yet all equally top ranked. The one you describe soundes good, in it's given category. Now I'm hungry...gotta go order some pizza from New York Pizza, in Plainfield.
ReplyDeleteI really love the look of this pizza with all that overflowing sauce. Just the way I like it.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Better than most store bought and the frozen at Aldi are too. I am glad I went cheap for once.
ReplyDeleteHave you tried the frozen pizzas? They look good, but sometimes the picture on the box is just a cruel taunt.
ReplyDeleteagreed that pizza hut, domino, little cesar (yuck!) or red baron or digiorno. are overpriced and tasteless. Comparing to boutique pizzas, Mama Cozzi's is the most incredible in appearance, flavor and taste. I selected Supreme. Price: $3.69
ReplyDeleteAldi rulz, best service best merchandise. Bruce Willis
Linda.
ReplyDeleteAll I can say about "Mama Cozzi's Pizza Kitchen from ALDI in OHio, is that "I have to have it at least once a week"....It is fresh and delicious.
This is a great inexpensive pizza; and dressing this pie up with some good olive oil and toppings of choice makes it better.
ReplyDeleteMy one tip is to cook these pies on a very hot oven pizza stone.
Just had the BBQ Chicken one for dinner. Nice thin crust, almost like a cracker. I love all of their pizzas. Can't beat the price and they are always a favorite for having something to munch on when drinking out on the balcony. Can't beat the price...three 16 inch pizzas at $6.99 each is way cheaper than ordering from Leona's or other local places as a pizza that size would cost $16-17 each, plus $2 per topping and delivery. You do the math.
ReplyDeletePizza Hut was born in Witchita, Kansas. The heartland is not known for it's pizza pedigree, exceptof course, Chicago. When in Southwestern Wisconsin in the 90's,takeout pizza was largely Tombstone, baked in a pizza oven at your local bar or gas station. Pizza Hut or any pizza centric restaurant would have likely been a real treat.
ReplyDeleteDave, are you refering to the take and bake refrigerated pizza offerings in the brown box from Aldi?If so, I tried those and was sorely disapointed. The Wal Mart variety of that same item is MUCH MUCH better, in my opinion. If you havent tried it , please do and see for yourself. I just finished a Mamma Cozi Rising crust pizza, three meat variety, and was extremely impressed. Better than the similar DiGiorno or Red Baron varieties, without that frozen pizza sauce taste. The toppings were abundant, and of high quality, and the cheese was very much real mozz. aand not some weird blend. Best of all, I think it only cost $3.69. What a value!!
WHERE ARE THEY MY ALDI IN TROY MO HASNT HAD THEM FOR WEEKS NOW!! WE WANT OUR MAMA COZZI!
ReplyDeleteALDI rotates their selection regularly, Anonymous. If they don't have them right now, they probably will soon.
ReplyDeleteI saw the goat cheese and spinach variety and couldn't resist, especially seeing someone ahead of me tote out 3 pizza I thought they must be worth a try. (I understand i am picky with pizza) and i also understand I love spinach on pizza and ..many goat cheeses as well.
ReplyDeleteThats what got me though..the cheese. The mozzerella was clear, not white showing poor quality and the taste seemed lacking, and the goat cheese made the pizza unfortunately unedible. I regret eating more than one peice (cut in eigths) before tossing the whole thing.. and i can not get the taste out of my mouth. I would have rather sucked on used gym socks. Seriously.. afraid i can't get past this experience to try another, and I couldn't inflict the leftovers on anyone else.
It was impressive looking at the box, and the nutritional info. But afraid thats where it has to stop with me.
i just tryed mama cozzis frozen pizza, it was the garlic spinach mushroom self rising crust. it was completely nasty there was so much garlic it was like i was eating minced garlic out of the jar its all i could taste. i couldnt even tell there was spinach or mushrooms or even cheese for that matter on the pizza once you get away from the main section of the pizza and got just a little garlic, some pizza sauce and a few toppings ALONG the crust it was great. but when theres so much garlic you cant taste nothing else but garlic just go buy a jar of minced galic and eat it. i wanted a pizza not to eat garlic. this has put me off on this brand of pizza highly doubt i will try anything of theis brand again. if they cant do something within reason as far as topping and portions on a frozen pizza it absolutely scares me to even think about buying anything else. avoid this brand at all costs if you value your breath your stomach or have a love for food!!!!!
ReplyDeleteTHIS PIZZA CONTAINS MSGs and GAVE ME A HUGE HEADACHE
ReplyDeleteTried Mama Cozzi's Meat Lovers with the Rising Crust and I was extremely impressed. Living in the Chicago area we have our share of pizza joints, including UNO and MALNATTI. This pizza cooked up perfectly. Crispy crust, but not so much it could crack teeth. The taste is over the top. We fed 3 on one pizza leaving them with bellies full. They are not stingy with the toppings, and the cost under $4 is even better.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up in NJ, I'm very picky about my pizza. Mama Cozzi's is by far the best frozen pizza I've ever tasted, and doesn't have a gram of HFCS or hydrogenated oils. The Tuscan and the 4 cheese stone baked are my favorites thus far.
ReplyDeleteI could die for the Mama Cozzi goat cheese pizza...and I'm from Chicago :) The tomatoes are so fresh, as well as spinach. Delicious
ReplyDelete