Order more pizza than your tummy could handle? Wondering what you’re going to do with all those cold, stiff slices of once warm and gooey pizza? Rest assured, it’s not time to bury your pizza in the trash can just yet — there are tons of creative ways to revive leftover pizza.

Whether you want to add pizza to other ingredients for a new recipe or serve it in new exciting ways, you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to explore nine different recipes using leftover pizza that solve the age-old question of what to do with leftover pizza. After reading this piece, you’ll never look at leftover pizza the same again.

1. Reheat Pizza the Right Way

Americans love pizza. By the end of 2019, America saw $46.34 billion in pizza sales. Many of us reheat our leftover slices in the microwave and accept soggy crust as a leftover pizza reality, but this doesn’t have to be your only option.

Before we move on to leftover pizza recipes, let’s first look at the right way to reheat pizza.

In a skillet:

• Heat skillet over medium-high heat for one minute.
• Add a slice of pizza.
• Cover loosely with a lid.
• Cook for two to three minutes.

In an oven:

• Line a baking sheet with foil.
• Heat baking sheet until hot at 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Arrange slices on the sheet.
• Heat for 10 minutes, or until cheese bubbles.

In a toaster oven:

• Place pizza directly on the rack.
• Toast on medium darkness for two cycles.

Short on time? Experiencing a pizza emergency? If you need to, you can reheat pizza in the microwave and make it taste like new again. Here’s how:

• Fill a glass that will fit alongside a plate in the microwave two-thirds of the way with water.
• Place a slice of pizza on a microwave-safe plate.
• Heat both the pizza and glass of water in the microwave for about 45 to 60 seconds.

With this method, the water evaporates to prevent a dried-out crust. Next time you’re on the move and need a pizza fix, give this water trick a try.

2. Have Pizza for Breakfast

That’s right. You can enjoy your leftover pizza hacks guilt-free for breakfast — all you need to do is add some nutrient-rich eggs and veggies for a balanced meal that’ll keep you energized for hours. Enjoy one of the following leftover pizza ideas with a glass of milk for ultimate breakfast joy.

Make a pizza scramble with pizza eggs:

• Cut two slices of pizza into bite-size pieces.
• In a bowl, beat together eight to 10 eggs.
• Add the pizza pieces and allow to sit for 10 minutes.
• Stir to cover all the pieces.
• Spray a large frying pan with cooking spray and cook over medium-high heat.
• Scramble the pizza-egg mixture in the pan for about six minutes or until fully cooked.
• Top with grated or shredded cheese and serve.

You can brighten a Saturday morning or Sunday brunch with this leftover pizza breakfast casserole:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees Farenheit.
• Spray a 9-by-9 baking dish with cooking spray.
• Cut three slices of pizza into bite-size squares.
• Arrange pizza squares in the baking dish.

In a large bowl, mix:

• 4 beaten eggs
• 1 cup of milk
• One 8-ounce package of shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/3 cup of onion
• 3 tablespoons of melted butter
• 1 minced garlic clove
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

Directions:

• Pour mixture over pizza pieces.
• Top with 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes.
• Cover with aluminum foil.
• Bake for 45 minutes.
• Remove foil.
• Bake for about 20 more minutes or until cheese is melted.

Did you wake up craving French toast, but your bread drawer is empty and your fridge is full of pizza? Try this leftover pizza French toast recipe instead:

• Whisk two eggs in a bowl.
• Add a pinch of paprika, black pepper and salt.
• Dunk a slice of pizza in the eggs and cover it completely.
• Heat frying pan with cooking spray or butter.
• Fry the slice of pizza until eggs are cooked on the outside.

You may want to skip the powdered sugar, but a drizzle of honey or even maple syrup might be tastier than you think.

Ready to bust out the old waffle iron? Use up some leftover pizza and put your waffle iron skills to the test with this pizza waffle recipe:

• Preheat your waffle iron.
• Grab a piece of leftover pizza and put some extra toppings in the upper left corner of the slice to customize your pizza waffle. These toppings will soon turn into stuffing.
• Fold the tip of the pizza slice up to the top left side of the crust, creating a perfect right triangle.
• Chop off the crust and trim the edges of the right triangle.
• Repeat with another slice of leftover pizza.
• Place your prepared pizza into the hot waffle iron in the shape of a square and close the iron.
• Let the waffle iron work its magic for about five minutes before removing the pockets of pizza goodness from the iron and digging in.

To really take your pizza waffles to the next level, dip them in marinara sauce, which will soak beautifully into the small squares of the pizza waffle.

3. Make Pizza Lasagna

Mamma mia, who would’ve thought to turn leftover pizza into lasagna? As it turns out, pizza and lasagna are two comfort food favorites that combine to create the ultimate belly-warming dish.

Transform your leftover pizza into a romantic dinner by serving up this seductive leftover pizza lasagna recipe:

• Coat the bottom of a 9-by-13 pan with a thin layer of spaghetti sauce.
• Cut eight slices of pizza into squares or strips.
• Place pizza strips on the bottom of the pan in one layer.

Blend the following ingredients in a bowl:

• 1 1/2 cups of ricotta cheese
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon of dried oregano
• 1/2 tablespoon of parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking directions:

• Spread half of the mixture over the pizza.
• Spread a layer of spaghetti sauce over mixture.
• Add any veggies or meats you wish to use.
• Add 1/2 cup of mozzarella.
• Add a second layer of pizza strips and repeat adding the other ingredients.
• Add a final layer of pizza strips and top with spaghetti sauce and 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese.
• Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees Farenheit.
• Remove foil and bake for 15 minutes.
• Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes.

Enjoy your pizza lasagna with a glass of red wine, and you and your dining partner will forget you’re eating leftovers.

4. Add Pizza to Your Soup or Salad

What if we said you can enjoy a light, healthy meal and leftover pizza at the same time? This can be a reality, as long as you keep it balanced and let the pizza make up the bulk of the calories.

Liven up an ordinary salad or cup of soup with these leftover pizza croutons:

• Stack two pizza slices on top of each other, cheese sides pressed together.
• Cut slices into 1-inch-wide strips.
• Cut each stack of strips into 1-inch squares.
• Heat a nonstick pan over medium heat with oil.
• Add pizza squares — they should look like little pizza sandwiches with the cheese in the middle.
• Heat for about two minutes, or until cheese starts to melt and crusts get crispy.
• Flip and cook for an extra minute.
• Serve in any soup or add to a salad.

We recommend topping tomato soup with pizza croutons, but don’t be afraid to experiment. Try one these dressing flavors to best compliment a salad with pizza croutons:

• Blue cheese
• Caesar
• Italian
• Ranch
• Balsamic

5. Make a Pizzanini

Do you own a panini grill? Great! If not, no worries — a skillet will do just fine. You can make yourself an indulgent pizzanini for an unforgettable treat. It’s super easy to make, too. Here’s how to make a pizzanini with your leftover pizza:

Sandwich your favorite fillings between two slices of pizza. Some recommendations include:

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

Directions:

• Grill using a panini press or heat in a large oiled skillet.
• Toast both sides to your desired crunch level.

You can also trim your pizza slices to make them more sandwich-shaped, but that’s up to you. Pair your pizzanini with a cold, carbonated beverage and enjoy.

6. Make Pizza Fries

The world becomes a new unexplored pizza paradise when you have pizza fries to work with. Consider the possibilities: chili pizza fries, loaded pizza fries — heck, why not make pizza poutine?

Pizza fries are all about making leftover pizza into dippable shapes. All you need to do to make pizza fries is:

• Cut pizza into strips.
• Bake them until crisp.

Voila! You now have pizza fries. Dip your pizza fries in one or more of these beloved pizza dipping sauces:

• Mayo
• Ketchup
• Barbecue sauce
• Italian dressing
• Blue cheese dressing
• Nacho cheese sauce
• Marinara sauce
• Balsamic reduction
• Pesto
• Hot sauce
• Honey
• Chile oil
• Ranch dressing
• Garlic butter

7. Upgrade Your Pizza

You may not need to dice your slices or mix them with other ingredients. Simply adding more sauce, cheese, fresh toppings and properly reheating your leftover pizza is all it takes to make it good as new. There are so many scrumptious combinations to try when it comes to pizza toppings. Let your taste buds be your guide and get creative.

For those who appreciate classic toppings, try adding fresh basil, minced garlic, mushrooms, a layer of mozzarella or Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil to a slice of pizza. Reheat your leftover pizza in the oven until it reaches your desired crispiness. Feel free to dip your rejuvenated slice in a side of marinara sauce, or consider smearing extra sauce on your slice before reheating.

If you’d like to experiment with more unconventional toppings, consider giving one of these recommended combos a try:

• Prosciutto, rosemary and red onion
• Ricotta, fresh garlic, kalamata olives, extra virgin olive oil and prosciutto
• Pre-made spaghetti, ziti or tortellini, meatballs and mozzarella cheese
• Roasted eggplant, sweet peppers, caramelized onions, mushrooms, pesto and mozzarella cheese
• Shrimp, roasted red and yellow peppers and pesto
• Sun-dried tomatoes, provolone and fresh basil
• Olives, feta and oregano
• Goat cheese, thyme and figs
• Cilantro, black beans, corn, chicken and hot sauce
• Swiss chard and sausage
• Fried chicken and a drizzle of ranch dressing
• Fried egg and crumbled bacon
• Broccoli and cooked bacon
• Hamburger meat, red onions and shredded cheddar cheese
• After reheating, top with shredded iceberg lettuce, tomato slices and Thousand Island dressing
• Sweet potato, kielbasa and red onions
• Spinach artichoke dip

Here are a few exciting toppings to mix and match:

• Veggies — frozen, roasted, sautéed, pickled or raw for crunch
• Nuts or seeds
• Avocado slices
• Bean sprouts
• Coconut
• French fries or roasted potatoes
• Salad
• Onion rings
• Cottage cheese
• Curry powder
• Raisins

Feeling inspired yet? Pizza topping possibilities really are endless, but there are some things to keep in mind to help you narrow down your choices. For example, you’ll want to balance your flavors for the tastiest and most satisfying pizza.

Pizza ingredients tingle our taste buds with salty cheese and acidic tomato sauce. Knowing this, you can:

• Balance salty and sour with sweet, like balsamic or honey.
• Balance sour and sweet with spice.
• Balance salty and sweet with bitter flavors, like broccoli, kale or spinach.

Keep flavor balance in mind and make your pizza colorful with fresh veggies or herbs. Most of all, follow your gut and have fun.

8. Garnish a Bloody Mary

Invite some friends over for cocktails and conversation, treating them each to a homemade bloody mary garnished with leftover pizza. You’ll give them a unique drink they’ll dream of for days.

Whether the bloody mary cocktail can be traced back to Queen Mary I of England is up for debate, but we guarantee this recipe will satisfy your taste buds and help you relax. Before we get to the pizza garnish, let’s mix up the best ever bloody mary:

Combine the following ingredients in a blender:

• 3 cups of tomato juice
• 3 tablespoons of lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons of lime juice
• 1 tablespoon of horseradish
• 1 1/2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/3 cup of pickle juice
• 3/4 teaspoon of Tabasco sauce

Mixing instructions:

• Blend ingredients until smooth.
• Transfer to a nonreactive bowl or container, like stainless steel.
• Add 1/2 teaspoon of coarse black pepper and 3/4 teaspoon of celery salt.
• Refrigerate for at least two hours.

You’ll be able to serve six with this recipe. After it’s thoroughly chilled:

• Fill each glass with ice.
• Add 1 ounce of vodka to each glass.
• Fill each glass with bloody mary mixture.
• Stir well.

Now, it’s time for the pizza garnish. Simply:

• Slice leftover pizza into tiny triangles.
• Toast pizza triangles until crispy.
• Add a toasted pizza triangle to a skewer.
• Garnish each glass with a pizza skewer and celery or another vegetable of choice.

Not a mixed drink fan? Slice up leftover pizza, reheat and serve as hors d’oeuvres alongside frosty mugs of summer ale, India pale ale or lager instead.

9. Build a Pizza Kebab

Our ninth idea is to turn leftover pizza into a pizza kebab. Brighten someone’s day or get them to eat their veggies by packing their lunch with these fun-to-eat treats. All you have to do is cut the pizza into bite-size squares and stick them on a skewer with other tasty and colorful ingredients. You might choose to use:

• Chunks of cooked meat or fish such as chicken, shrimp or sausage
• Fresh mozzarella balls
• Roasted green pepper
• Onion
• Mushrooms
• Olives
• Cherry tomatoes

There’s no need to serve your pizza kebabs cold, either. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray, arrange kebabs on the sheet and heat in the oven at 375 degrees Farenheit for 10 minutes. Check your kebabs, turn them and cook until they reach your desired crispiness.

Don’t forget to serve your pizza kebabs with a side of dipping sauce. You can even use any leftover pizza kebabs as a bloody mary garnish.

10. Make Pizza Rolls

When all else fails, you can always turn to an old staple — pizza rolls. Pizza rolls are easy to make, clocking in at about fifteen minutes of cooking time, and it’s the perfect way to use up the last of that leftover pizza in a fun, delicious way.

A lot of recipes can show you how to make pizza rolls from scratch, but if you have leftover pizza you can just skip a few steps and save time. To make them, follow this simple recipe:

• Roll up pizza, starting from the crust.
• Season with basil, oregano and any other desired spices.
• Place in the oven for 15 minutes at 425 degrees Farenheit.
• Take out when golden-brown, and use some marinara, garlic butter or alfredo as a dipping sauce.

Watch as your cold leftover pizza evolves into a flavorful bite-sized snack. This is a great one to show off to friends and family, and a useful way to share those last pieces of pizza.

Choose Giordano’s for Your Fresh Pizza

Do you purposely want to order too much pizza so you can have leftovers after reading this list? If so, we completely understand. At Giordano’s, we love pizza just as much as you do. In fact, we’d be thrilled to be your leftover pizza supplier.

We offer other Italian classics, too, like chicken Parmesan and fettuccine Alfredo. Plan to toss leftover pasta on top of leftover pizza for a day-after feast your taste buds will thank you for.

To get your leftover pizza, you need to start with a few fresh pies. Call now to order a delicious hot pizza and worry about leftovers later. A word of warning though — Giordano’s pizza is so good, you may not be left with many leftovers, anyway!