We really don’t think you’re going to have any leftover pizza when you order from Pequod’s. But for the sake of argument, let’s get you into a “Never Say Never” mindset for a bit.
You call your buddy to come out for pizza with you, but they’re stuck at work. To add insult to injury, they brag about the thin crust their team ordered about an hour ago, from our Clybourn Avenue location! But they’re open to going out for drinks with you later… okay? You decide to go for one on your own. Keep reading to find out what to do with leftover pizza. Also, read how to tell if your pizza is still good in the fridge to be sure you are in the green to enjoy your favorite leftover snack!
What can you do with leftover thin crust pizza?
“Pizza Box Cheese Delivery” used with permission via Pixabay by planet_fox
Okay, so clearly the natural thing to do with leftover thin crust pizza is to reheat it. So, just in case you were looking for the very best practices on how to reheat leftover pizza, let’s get that out of the way first.
How to reheat thin crust pizza
We don’t recommend reheating pizza in the microwave oven, so we’re just not gonna go there. There are only three options that produce the best results when reheating leftover thin crust pizza: using a toaster oven, using a skillet, or using an oven. Pequod’s Pizza special reheating tip: For each one of the methods, take your pizza out of the fridge for about five minutes, to let it get close to room temperature.
Reheating thin crust pizza in a toaster oven
Preheat your toaster oven to 450 degrees with the wire rack in, setting the timer to 15 minutes. Once the timer hits 10 minutes, lower the temperature to 350 F and carefully place your slices directly on the rack. Remember that toaster ovens vary in size and shape, so make sure you monitor your pizza every few minutes to gauge the level of browning on your crust, cheese, and toppings. Safety tip: Use tongs to place the slices on the rack.
Reheating thin crust pizza using a skillet
Preheat a large skillet on the stove over medium-high heat for 60 seconds. Add a couple of slices into the skillet. Cook for about a minute, and then loosely cover with the lid. Cook for another one to two minutes.
Using an oven to reheat leftover thin crust pizza
Preheat your oven to 450 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with either parchment paper or foil (believe it or not, unless you’re using non-stick foil, it doesn’t matter whether you use the shiny or matte side). As with the toaster oven technique, set your timer for 15 minutes and preheat your baking sheet for the first five minutes. Place your slices on the hot sheet and monitor periodically. HOT tip: Level up by using a pizza stone to reheat your pizza instead of the baking sheet. It should take between six and eight minutes after preheating! Remember to use your wooden paddle for safety.
Making sandwiches out of your leftover pizza
Make a crispy panini out of your leftover thin crust pizza. Place two slices together, with the topping tucked inside, adding more toppings like extra cheese and fresh tomato, if you’d like. If you’re feeling extra fancy, brush the pizza base with olive oil and a mix of Italian herbs, but make sure you use parchment paper to protect your grill and keep the herbs from burning.
Use a waffle iron for a fun twist on the above tip! This technique will work best if you mist the base a little with a bit of drinking water first, so it becomes more flexible and conforms to the waffle iron’s dips and bumps. We recommend this version for one-topping specialties like pepperoni or sausage.
Make a grilled cheese sandwich with your leftover thin crust pizza by first melting some butter in a griddle or skillet, then placing two slices of pizza, face to face, with your favorite yellow cheese in the middle. We recommend this option for a plain cheese pizza. For an extra decadent grilled cheese pizza sandwich, try cooking bacon to place inside the sandwich before you grill it.
What to do with leftover pan pizza
Check out our article that not only discusses how long you can keep leftover pizza in the fridge, but also tells you the right way to heat up pan pizza. Read on if you’d like to repurpose your pan pizza into a new breakfast item.
Making breakfast out of leftover pan pizza
Make a nice pizza scramble by chopping your pizza into bite-sized pies and then soaking in your previously beaten eggs for about 15 minutes before cooking over low heat in a buttered pan. We recommend using a mushroom or jalapeño pan pizza for this.
For an omelet, scrape the toppings off and chop large pieces into a small dice. Save the pizza base for a later recipe. Preheat a pan with a coat of your oil or spread of choice and add three previously whisked eggs. Use your chopped pizza toppings as your omelet fillings, adding more cheese to bind everything together. Not comfortable with your omelet game? Check out these omelet 101 tips before you take this new challenge on.
Make a savory breakfast bread pudding with the reserved base. Cut into 1-inch squares and soak them in a mixture of one egg (beaten), 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning, and half a cup of milk, per every two slices of pizza. Adjust the quantities as necessary to make sure the squares are properly hydrated. Use either one or more buttered ramekins to bake your pudding. Top with parmesan cheese before you pop in the oven or toaster oven for 20 to 45 minutes at 350 F, until the custard has set and the edges are golden.
Well, what did you think about these recipes? We hope the omelet recipe sparked your creativity. We’re certainly thinking of more ideas for what to do with leftover pizza toppings!