Revive Your Leftover Pan Pizza

There's no need to throw away leftover pan pizza. There are plenty of ways to revive it and turn it into something new and delicious.

If you're looking for a simple way to reheat your pizza, heat a skillet over medium-high heat for a minute, add your pizza slices, cover with a lid, and cook for 2-3 minutes. You can also place the slices on a baking sheet and heat in the oven for 10 minutes, or until the cheese bubbles.

But if you're feeling more creative, why not try one of these ideas:

- Pizza lasagna

- Pizza French toast

- Pizza omelette or scrambled eggs

- Pizza grilled cheese

- Pizza croutons

- Pizza bread pudding

- Pizza salad

- Pizza kebabs

- Pizza rolls

- Pizza popcorn

Make pizza fries

Pizza fries are a great way to use up leftover pizza and are perfect for a party or as a snack for kids. You can make them in the oven or an air fryer. Here's a detailed guide on how to make pizza fries:

Step 1: Prepare the Leftover Pizza

Start by warming up your leftover pizza slices in the oven until they're pliable. This will make them easier to cut and help the cheese stay gooey. You can also use frozen or freshly cooked French fries for this step if you prefer.

Step 2: Cut the Pizza into Strips

Using a sharp knife, cut the pizza slices into long, thin strips. For best results, cut the pizza into uniform strips that are about 1-inch wide. You can also make them thinner if you prefer a crispier fry.

Step 3: Bake the Pizza Strips

Place the pizza strips on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper. If using frozen or freshly cooked French fries, coat them with cooking spray before baking. Bake the strips in the oven until they are crispy, which should take around 35-40 minutes at 400°F (200°C). You can also use an air fryer for a crispier fry without the added oil.

Step 4: Add Toppings and Cheese

Once the pizza strips are crispy, it's time to add your desired toppings. Start by pouring your favourite pizza sauce over the strips, spreading it out evenly. You can use marinara sauce, pizza sauce, or even a mix of both. Then, sprinkle shredded cheese over the sauce. A mix of mozzarella and Swiss cheese works well for an extra orange colour, but you can also use just mozzarella.

Step 5: Broil the Pizza Fries

Place the baking sheet back in the oven and broil the pizza fries until the cheese is browned and bubbling, which should take 2-4 minutes. Keep a close eye on them to avoid burning.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Remove the pizza fries from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving. You can serve them as is or with a side of your favourite pizza dipping sauce, such as blue cheese dressing or marinara sauce. Enjoy your delicious and creative pizza fries!

Use slices as sandwich bread

Leftover pan pizza slices can be used as sandwich bread. To do this, first warm up your slices of pizza in a skillet on the stove over low heat for a few minutes until soft. You can add a teaspoon of water to help with this process.

Once your pizza is soft, you can add your desired toppings. Pizza-friendly toppings include sliced ham, cheddar, and bacon, but you can also add crunchy elements like iceberg lettuce or peppery arugula.

You can also make a grilled cheese sandwich by warming up your pizza slices and sandwiching them with your favourite cheese. A mixture of mozzarella and cheddar will give you the perfect cheese pull. You can also add an extra layer of tomato sauce to bring out the umami flavour of the tomatoes.

For a more comprehensive sandwich, you can turn your leftover pizza into a panini. Simply sandwich your favourite fillings between two slices of pizza and grill using a panini press or heat in a large oiled skillet. Some recommended fillings include:

• Tomatoes, spinach and mozzarella
• Pepperoni, ham and green bell peppers
• Grilled chicken and arugula
• Mushrooms, fresh basil and sliced sausage
• Cilantro, chicken and avocado

Make pizza croutons

Pizza croutons are a great way to use up leftover pan pizza and can be used as a topping for soups and salads, or even as a snack on their own. Here is a recipe for making pizza croutons:

Ingredients:

• Leftover pizza (6 slices)
• 1 tablespoon of oil (or olive oil)

Instructions:

• Stack two slices of pizza on top of each other, with the toppings facing inwards.
• Cut the stack into 1-inch strips, following the edges of the slices. Then, cut the strips into 1-inch squares.
• Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
• Place the pizza squares in the pan and cook until the cheese begins to melt.
• Flip each crouton and continue cooking until the crust is golden brown and crispy.
• Serve immediately as a snack or use as croutons in soups and salads.

For an extra flavourful twist, you can try adding some tomato paste, Italian seasoning mix, and grated Parmesan cheese to the croutons while cooking.

Make a pizza omelette

Making a pizza omelette is a great way to use up leftover pizza. It's a fun dish to make with kids, who can help whisk the eggs and add the ingredients. Here's how to make a delicious pizza omelette:

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons of warmed tomato sauce
• 1/4 cup of chopped pepperoni
• 2 tablespoons of shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 tablespoons of chopped basil or parsley (optional)
• 2 tablespoons of oil

Method:

• Beat the eggs with a whisk until the whites and yolks are completely combined. Season with salt and pepper.
• Heat the oil in a non-stick or cast-iron skillet over medium-low heat. Swirl the oil to coat the pan, then turn the heat down to low.
• Add the eggs to the pan, swirling quickly to cover the bottom. Adjust the heat if needed to ensure the bottom doesn't brown too quickly.
• Use a spatula to move the eggs from the edge to the centre, exposing parts of the pan so the egg can cook through. Then leave undisturbed until the omelette is almost set.
• When the omelette is almost set, spoon the warmed tomato sauce over half of it. Cover the sauce with pepperoni and shredded cheese.
• Cook for another 30 seconds or so, until the cheese is melted and the bottom is just about to brown.
• Fold the omelette in half. Cook for a further 30 seconds or so, until everything is heated through.
• Serve with chopped basil or parsley, if desired.

You can also add chopped onions, tomatoes, and spinach to the egg mixture for extra flavour and nutrition.

Make pizza lasagne

Ingredients:

• Leftover pizza
• Tomato pasta sauce
• Ricotta cheese
• Grated mozzarella cheese
• Parmesan cheese (optional)
• Any veggies or meats you wish to use

Method:

Preheat your oven to 180°C. For better layering, you can cut your pizza into strips, but if you're in a hurry, you can leave the slices whole.

In a baking dish, start by making a layer of pizza. Then, top it with tomato pasta sauce, followed by a layer of ricotta cheese. Sprinkle grated mozzarella cheese on top. Repeat these layers as many times as you like. For an extra cheesy touch, sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top.

Cover and bake for 30 minutes, then bake uncovered for another 10 minutes. Your pizza lasagne is now ready to be enjoyed!

Variations:

You can also make a more elaborate pizza lasagne by following this recipe:

Coat the bottom of a 9x13 pan with a thin layer of spaghetti sauce. Cut eight slices of pizza into squares or strips. Place the pizza strips in a single layer on the bottom of the pan.

In a bowl, blend 1 1/2 cups of ricotta cheese, 1 tablespoon of dried oregano, 1/2 tablespoon of parsley, and salt and pepper to taste. Spread half of this mixture over the pizza layer.

Add a layer of spaghetti sauce, followed by any veggies or meats of your choice. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese on top.

Add another layer of pizza strips and repeat the previous steps, adding the remaining ingredients. Finish with a final layer of pizza strips, topped with spaghetti sauce and 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese.

Cover the dish with foil and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes. Let the lasagne sit for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Enjoy your delicious and creative pizza lasagne!

Frequently asked questions