By Clark 
Shortly after Trader Joe’s achieved significant success with their highly sought-after kimbap, the esteemed shop has garnered further acclaim with a fan-created pizza dish that is receiving a “10/10” rating.
This spicy pizza recipe solely requires materials obtained from Trader Joe’s. The pie has surged in popularity on TikTok, especially in recent weeks, as enthusiasts replicate and praise the meal. The fad originated in September 2022, when TikTok creator and nutritionist Blair Cooley (@blaircooleydietician) shared a recipe video for pizza, which garnered 142,000 likes and 1.5 million views.
In the video, Cooley begins by pressing Trader Joe’s pre-prepared Garlic & Herb Pizza Dough into an oiled glass pan. Instead of conventional pizza sauce, Cooley adorns the crust with the retailer’s renowned Garlic Spread Dip, Italian Bomba Hot Pepper Sauce, fragmented burrata, and halved marinated mozzarella balls. Cooley additionally incorporates a variety of meats from Trader Joe’s Spicy Uncured Charcuterie Collection and sliced Fire Roasted Red Peppers on top of the cheeses. Upon baking the pizza for 20 minutes at 450°F, she adorns the spicy pizza with ample fresh arugula, a sprinkle of balsamic glaze, residual oil from the marinated mozzarella balls, and red pepper flakes.
What is the outcome? A “perfect” pizza that is soft internally and crisp externally, as stated by Cooley. Other creators who have replicated and sampled the pizza in subsequent weeks have been equally captivated by the final outcome.
TikToker @laurawanie assigned it a “10/10” rating in a TikTok last week, which has garnered 1.8 million views. Another creator, @hello.balance, assigned it an exceptional rating of “100,000/10” and remarked on its simplicity in creation.
As a dietician, my primary objective is to demonstrate that preparing delectable meals at home need not be monotonous. Cooley stated that it can be enjoyable and often tastes superior to restaurant offerings, as it is prepared precisely to one’s preferences—no alterations required. My husband and I enjoy spending date nights cooking together, and pizza is a simple dish with limitless topping choices. It is a novel experience each time!
Although spice is a significant component of the original viral recipe, Cooley indicated that those averse to heat can reduce spiciness by substituting Italian Bomba Hot Pepper Sauce with Trader Joe’s Pesto Rosso and opting for non-spicy cured meats.
Observing numerous individuals creating and enjoying the dish has been a remarkable experience for Cooley, whose passion for inspiring others to cook prompted her to author an e-cookbook with simple, nutritious meals that necessitate minimum ingredients.
Observing individuals replicate my recipes brings me immense joy, as my culinary passion was cultivated via my experiences cooking alongside my Italian mother, which fostered countless cherished memories. Cooley noted that witnessing someone prepare his recipe elicits authentic joy, since it signifies that the individual was motivated to enter the kitchen and craft a delectable dinner for themselves or their loved ones.
This is not the sole recipe utilizing Trader Joe’s goods that has gained widespread attention online in 2023. This year, a trend of effortless Trader Joe’s meals using little ingredients has surged on social media.