Papa Johns Has an All-New Pizza That’s 10 Years in the Making—and We Tried It First

Pizza has always been one of my favorite foods. When it comes to the toppings, I like to keep it simple; I’m never one to turn down a classic cheese pizza. There’s just something so delicious and charming about the simplicity of melted cheese, marinara sauce, and chewy crust that I’ll always love. 

While there are countless pizzerias I like to order from, Papa Johns has been my go-to place for years. Its menu is always evolving, which makes ordering there a fun adventure, and the pizza is reliably delicious. Now, the restaurant is upping the game with a brand-new pizza that’s been almost 10 years in the making.

Papa Johns Introduces New Pan Pizza

Papa Johns is going where it’s never gone before: the realm of pan pizza. The chain’s all-new Pan Pizza features a thick, pan-style crust topped with a six-cheese blend of mozzarella, provolone, Fontina, Asiago, Parmesan, and Romano. And, to take things up a notch, both Parmesan cheese and Papa Johns’ Special Garlic Sauce are baked directly into the crust, resulting in a salty, crispy finish that will make your mouth water. 

To ensure every bite is savored by fans, Papa Johns spent nearly a decade developing the perfect pan pizza for its menu.

“The pan pizza category is crowded, which is why we took a deliberate, consumer-led approach to developing the perfect recipe, and focused on getting every detail right,” Jenna Bromberg, chief marketing officer at Papa Johns said in a press release. “Pan pizza is nostalgic, indulgent, and so beloved, and we saw the chance to elevate a pan-style pizza in a way that feels distinctly Papa Johns.” 

The new item is now available nationwide at participating Papa Johns locations, starting at $11.99 for a one-topping medium-sized pizza. Our editors tried the pizza first, and here’s their honest review.

Our Honest Review of Papa Johns’ Pan Pizza

“This is like your childhood Stouffer’s pizza all grown up—all of the nostalgia, but way better taste. It’s thick but not quite deep-dish, with a light, chewy crust that’s not gummy or dense. The sauce is slightly sweet and has a brilliant blend of cheeses to provide melty richness that still packs flavor,” senior editor Courtney Kassel said.

“The last bite makes you want to go back for another slice immediately!” Kassel added. “If they can capture that perfectly cheesy, crispy crust across all markets, then Papa Johns has a serious contender for the best delivery pizza out there.”

Editor Bailey Fink also had a chance to try the new item. While she is not a fan of a true deep-dish pizza, Papa Johns won her over. “This crust is super light and airy and you can actually eat more than one piece. And once you hit that crispy, crunchy, cheesy final bite, you’ll absolutely want to.”