Recipe Review

I Tried the Upside-Down Pizza Recipe That Only Uses Aldi Ingredients

published Mar 17, 2023
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Aldi upside down pizza on square plate
Credit: Choya Johnson

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been a fan of pizza. From the pizza parties thrown at school to a quick stop on the way home to grab a slice or a box for dinner, pizza has always reserved a special place in my stomach. 

Although I normally would grab a pie from Blaze Pizza or even Costco, my recent discovery of the upside-down pizza recipe piqued my interest. The best part? Every ingredient you need comes from Aldi, and the price is right under $20. 

For those who love pizza as much as I do, this could be a game-changer. And if the instructions are anything to go by, it seemed like a super-fun, quick, and easy-enough recipe that you could enjoy creating with your friends, family, or even by yourself. As I was visiting my niece this past weekend, however, I had the luxury of making this delicious recipe with her. Here’s how it went.

Get the recipe: Aldi Upside-Down Pizza

Credit: Choya Johnson

How to Make Upside-Down Pizza

The steps for this dish are pretty simple and straight to the point. First, you’ll need to gather the following ingredients: packaged pizza dough, mozzarella, thick-cut bacon, pork sausage, pepperoni, marinara sauce, and a small chopped onion — all from Aldi.  You will also need a well-seasoned cast iron skillet for this pizza to get the best results.

Start by chopping your onion and dicing your bacon before setting aside. Place your skillet on the stove over medium high heat and cook your onions until translucent. Once that’s completed, add your pork sausage, cooking until browned. Remove the mixture from the pan and set aside. 

Next, place your bacon into the skillet you cooked your onions and sausage in, cooking until golden-brown. Then, once done, add your onion and sausage back into the skillet. Place your pepperoni on top next, adding a healthy amount of mozzarella on top, followed by a thin layer of marinara sauce. Then, to finish it off, add a bit more mozzarella cheese and stretch your pre-made pizza dough on top. Place in the oven, baking at 450°F for 15 minutes — or until the dough is as crisp and golden-brown as you’d like. 

Once cooled, use a plate or rack to flip the pizza right-side up, slice, and enjoy!

Credit: Choya Johnson

My Honest Review of Upside-Down Pizza

This was a deliciously fun recipe that I enjoyed creating with my family. At first, I was a little hesitant to make this simply because I wasn’t sure how the process would go and what the final results would yield. That feeling swiftly shifted, however, once the aroma of the onions and sausage began to fill the room. It was at that moment that everyone — including myself — began singing a different tune.

Once the pizza was done and cooled a bit, we flipped it over on a pizza pan and sliced everyone a piece. The crust was a bit thick and, in my opinion, was comparable to a Chicago-style deep-dish pizza. Overall, however, I would give this a smooth 8 out of 10 for taste, texture, and visual appeal. 

As for my niece? In her opinion, seconds were definitely needed. And with her stamp of approval, I feel very confident saying your chances of eating seconds are going to be inevitable. 

4 Tips for Making the Upside-Down Pizza

  • Use a large cast iron skillet. To achieve a thinner crust, use a wider skillet — or less dough — to avoid having the deep-dish outcome.
  • Don’t forget the oil. Add some olive oil to the top of your dough to keep it from burning or drying out while baking.
  • Use fresh mozzarella. If you’re open to upping your budget a bit, opt for fresh mozzarella. It will make things just a little bit cheesier and even more delicious. 
  • Don’t be afraid to make it your own. While this recipe was essentially a meat-lover’s pizza, the next time I make this, I plan to load up on the veggies, too.

Get the recipe: Aldi Upside-Down Pizza