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Like most other product lines, Aldi’s frozen pizza selection tends to change from time to time. At the time of writing, the chain carries 19 varieties of pizza (not counting Pizza Snacks), but only 11 were available when Mashed reviewers tasted them all and ranked them from worst to best. Some of the flavors that were on that list are no longer in the lineup; Chicago Deep Dish and Thin Crust Jalapeño Poppers are gone. But Aldi still carries the number one Mama Cozzi’s Pepperoni Rising Crust Pizza. Sadly, the lowest-ranked Mama Cozzi’s Pizza Kitchen Three Cheese Cauliflower Crust is still available, too.
Some may think this pizza was downgraded because of the cauliflower crust (and it probably would have been if any of us had rated it), but the reviewer for the Aldi pizza didn’t care for the cauliflower crust, but the quality of the crust did affect the ranking, as did the taste of the cheese and sauce.
This reviewer found the crust soggy and watery. Admittedly, they made the mistake of heating this Aldi pizza without a frying pan (the packaging says no frying pan needed, but this product needs structural support). That issue aside, the cheese was uninspiring. Aldi doesn’t fully disclose which three cheeses are used, but the label lists mozzarella, cheddar, and a mysterious “medium-fat hard cheese.” More generally, the pizza tasted overwhelmingly of rosemary.
Cauliflower crust isn’t for everyone
Kali Hawk/Mashed
Our reviewers aren’t averse to cauliflower crust, but this pizza is especially polarizing. While the crust may be an essential part of some people’s diet, others would rather give up pizza than endure it. There’s actually a biological reason for cauliflower aversion: genetics and the chemical makeup of saliva can make cruciferous vegetables, which includes cauliflower, taste unpleasantly bitter. Cauliflower haters might find their beliefs justified when they learn that cauliflower crust isn’t as nutritious as it’s reputed to be.
For example, compare the top pizza on the list to the bottom pizza. Note that a serving of the three cheese pizza is lower than a serving of the pepperoni pizza (110 grams instead of 129 grams). The cauliflower crust pizza has more fat (12 grams compared to 10 grams) and sodium (740 milligrams compared to 720 milligrams). The pizza is lower in carbs, but not completely carb-free. The risen crust has 41 grams, and the cauliflower crust has 23 grams. That’s because the pizza is made with five different flours (rice, millet, pea, buckwheat, and flaxseed) in addition to the cauliflower. To the pizza’s credit, all five flours are gluten-free, although some shoppers are frustrated that Aldi still doesn’t offer a vegan cauliflower pizza.
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