How Long Do You Cook A Digiorno Pizza

How long do you cook a DiGiorno pizza? That is a question many customers ask themselves when first opening a box of DiGiorno. DiGiorno pizza requires cooking times between 9 to 15 minutes depending on the type of pizza and your oven’s strength. The best way to ensure your DiGiorno pizza has the perfect crisp crust and melted, gooey cheese is to follow the instructions on the box closely. However, general guidelines for cooking times are as follows:

• Thin Crust Cheese Pizza – 9 to 11 minutes
• Rising Crust Cheese Pizza- 12 to 14 minutes
• Specialty Pizzas – 12 to 15 minutes

Make sure to preheat your oven to 425°F before placing the pizza directly on the center rack. You want the crust to brown and crisp up without burning the cheese and toppings.

Halfway through the recommended cooking time, carefully remove the pizza from the oven and rotate it for even baking. Keep a close eye on the pizza for the last few minutes to avoid overcooking. Once the cheese is bubbling and the crust is crisp and browned, remove the DiGiorno pizza from the oven!

How long you cook your DiGiorno pizza depends on your oven, but following the box’s guidelines and checking for doneness signs midway through will result in a perfectly cooked DiGiorno every time.

What Is DiGiorno Pizza?

DiGiorno is a brand of frozen pizza made by Nestlé. First introduced in 1973, DiGiorno pizzas aim to provide customers with a “fresh from the oven” taste through features like pre-baked crusts and premium pizza toppings.

Some of the most popular DiGiorno pizzas include Rising Crust Supreme, Thin and Crispy® Pepperoni, and Three Meat Treat.

DiGiorno uses mozzarella cheese, 100% real meat toppings like pepperoni, Italian sausage and bacon, and traditional pizza seasonings to create pizzas that customers can conveniently heat and serve at home with restaurant-quality flavor.

The brand’s tagline is “It’s not delivery, it’s DiGiorno”. aimed at communicating their premium frozen pizza experience.

How Long To Cook Digiorno Pizza?

DiGiorno provides recommendations but there are variables. Follow these tips to perfect your DiGiorno pizza no matter how you cook it:

How Long To Cook Digiorno Pizza in the Oven?

DiGiorno’s recommended cooking times for their pizza varieties in a preheated 425°F oven are: 9 to 11 minutes for Thin Crust varieties, 12 to 14 minutes for Rising Crust pizzas, and 12 to 15 minutes for Specialty pizzas.

Most DiGiorno pizzas require turning or rotating halfway through the bake to ensure even cooking and crisping. Check the crust after the minimum time and keep a close eye for the last few minutes for perfect results.

How Long To Cook Digiorno Pizza in the Microwave?

While microwaves cook DiGiorno pizza faster at around 3 to 5 minutes, the crust does not brown the same and the result is not as closely replicating a fresh pizza from a brick oven.

The box instructions recommend using an oven instead for best results. However, if using a microwave, cook on high power, rotating the pizza halfway through and checking frequently during the last minute to avoid overcooking the crust and melting the toppings too much.

How Long To Cook Digiorno Pizza in the Air Fryer?

Cooking Digiorno pizza in an air fryer takes 8 to 12 minutes and can achieve crisp, browned results similar to an oven. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F and spray the fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray.

Place the pizza directly on the basket and cook for 8 minutes, flipping and rotating halfway through. Keep a close eye for the last 2 to 4 minutes, checking the bottom crust for browning and crispness. Air fryers cook pizza faster, so do not exceed the 12-minute maximum cooking time.

What is the best Temperature to Cook A Digiorno Pizza?

The best temperature for cooking a DiGiorno pizza depends on the appliance, but generally higher heats between 400°F to 425°F are recommended, higher temperatures between 400°F to 425°F produce the best results for DiGiorno pizza when using an oven or air fryer, while microwaves work best on high power.

How do you know the Digiorno pizza is well cooked?

The most important indicator is a browned and crisp crust. A well-cooked DiGiorno pizza crust will be golden brown in color and crisp yet chewy when bitten into. An undercooked crust will remain pale and soggy.

The cheese should also be completely melted and bubbling, indicating the high heat properly cooked the toppings. Lift up a pepperoni or vegetable to ensure the toppings are hot throughout with no cold spots, showing they are properly warmed through.

The aroma is also a giveaway – a well-cooked DiGiorno pizza will fill the air with smells of cooked dough, melted cheese and warmed meats. You may also hear a faint sizzling and bubbling sound from the crust finishing and the cheese dripping in the last minutes of bake time.

If the crust is browned, the cheese is bubbling, the toppings are hot and the pizza has a cooked aroma and sounds, then your “fresh from the oven” DiGiorno pizza is perfectly prepared!

How Can I Store The Leftovers The Digiorno pizza?

The best way to store leftover DiGiorno pizza is to cool it completely at room temperature, then cover the entire pizza with foil or place it in an airtight container.

Place the covered pizza in the refrigerator within 2 hours of cooking. Leftover pizza can typically be safely stored in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.

When reheating leftover DiGiorno pizza, the best options are microwaving or baking.

To microwave, cover with a paper towel and heat for 1 to 2 minutes until hot, flipping halfway through. To bake, place on a foil lined baking sheet in a preheated 375°F oven for 5 to 8 minutes or until heated through. Both methods work well to re-crisp the crust and warm the cheese and toppings.

Avoid leaving leftover DiGiorno pizza sitting out at room temperature for more than 2 hours as this can allow bacteria to grow. Properly storing in the refrigerator and promptly reheating are the safest ways to enjoy leftover DiGiorno pizza.

How long do you preheat the oven for DiGiorno pizza?

Preheat the oven for at least 10 minutes at 425°F before baking DiGiorno pizza. This ensures the oven reaches the proper temperature for a crispy crust and melted cheese in the recommended 9 to 15 minute cook time.

Can you cook DiGiorno pizza on “broil”?

It is not recommended to cook DiGiorno pizza using the broil setting as the intense top heat can burn the crust before the bottom finishes cooking. The convection bake or standard bake settings distribute heat more evenly for best results.

Tips on How To Cook Digiorno Pizza Perfectly?

Here are some tips on how to cook DiGiorno pizza for perfect results:

•Preheat the oven first: Always preheat the oven to 425°F for at least 10 minutes before baking the pizza to ensure an even and high temperature bake. This helps the crust crisp up and cheese melt properly.

•Place directly on the rack: Place the DiGiorno pizza directly on the center rack of the oven for optimum heat circulation and baking. Do not use baking sheets or pans.

•Rotate halfway: Always rotate the pizza 180 degrees halfway through the recommended cook time. This ensures even baking and crisping of the crust.

•Watch for doneness signs: Keep an eye on the pizza during the last few minutes of cooking. Look for bubbling cheese, a browned and crisp crust, and hot toppings to know when it’s done. Avoid overcooking for best results.

•Follow recommended times: Use the recommended cook times on the DiGirono box as a guideline, checking for doneness early if using a stronger oven. Thin crust takes 9 to 11 minutes, rising crust 12 to 14, and specialty crust 12 to 15 minutes at 425°F.

•Let rest: Allow the pizza to rest for 1-2 minutes after baking to let the cheese set and toppings cool slightly before slicing and serving.

Properly preheating, rotating, watching for doneness signs and following recommended times are key to perfectly cooked DiGiorno every time!

Conclusion

With just a bit of attention to detail, following the guidelines on the box, and keeping an eye on those crucial doneness signs, you can cook up a DiGiorno pizza in your own kitchen that rivals the “fresh from the oven” taste you find at restaurants.

Whether you opt for the simplicity of the oven, the speed of the microwave or the crisp results from an air fryer, adjusting the temperature and time slightly based on your appliance’s strength will lead you to pizza perfection.

The most important thing is patience – take the extra minute or two to check the bottom crust for crispness and rotate the pizza to ensure even cooking.

FAQs About How Long Do You Cook A Digiorno Pizza

Should you peel off the plastic from DiGiorno pizza?

Yes, you should always remove the thin plastic film from the top of DiGiorno pizza before baking. The plastic is there to keep the toppings in place and prevent sticking during freezing and transportation. Leaving it on during cooking can cause melting plastic and affect the texture and taste of your pizza.

Do you have to rotate DiGiorno pizza while baking?

It is highly recommended to rotate DiGiorno pizza halfway through the recommended cooking time. This simple step helps ensure even baking and crisping of the crust so one side does not burn before the other is done.

Can you reheat DiGiorno pizza in the microwave?

Yes, microwave ovens can successfully reheat leftover DiGiorno pizza. Cover with a paper towel, heat for 1 to 2 minutes and flip halfway through. The pizza will not crisp in the microwave but the toppings and cheese will warm through.

How long do you reheat DiGiorno pizza for?

Reheating leftover DiGiorno pizza depends on the appliance. In the microwave, heat for 1 to 2 minutes and flip halfway through. In the oven, bake at 375°F for 5 to 8 minutes or until heated through. Both methods warm the toppings and cheese but the oven does a better job of recrisping the crust.

Should you cover DiGiorno pizza while baking?

It is not necessary to cover DiGiorno pizza while baking. In fact, uncovering the pizza allows the moisture to evaporate so the crust can crisp up properly. Only cover leftover pizza before reheating to retain moisture and heat.

What temperature is best for reheating DiGiorno pizza?

375°F is the best oven temperature for reheating leftover DiGiorno pizza. The moderate heat warms through the toppings and cheese without burning. For the microwave, use the high power setting and check frequently the last minute to avoid overcooking.

Can you bake DiGiorno pizza on a baking stone?

Yes, baking DiGiorno pizza on a preheated baking stone can produce even better results with a crispier crust. Simply place the pizza directly on the hot stone in the center of the oven and bake as directed, checking a few minutes early for doneness.

How long does DiGiorno pizza last in the fridge?

Unrefrigerated leftover DiGiorno pizza should be stored in the fridge within 2 hours. In the refrigerator, leftover DiGirono pizza is still safe to consume for 3 to 4 days although quality does deteriorate over time. Reheating leftovers after the 3- to 4-day window is not recommended.