So you’ve ordered yourself a delicious pizza, but now you’re left with the dilemma of what to do with the leftovers.
Not to worry, because there is a perfect side dish to serve with your leftover pizza. I must say, plenty of delicious recipes can be made from leftover pizza to complement and enhance your pizza flavors.
The possibilities are endless! But I’ve something more for you that are easy to make; no need to spend hours and hours in the kitchen to make the dish. So, figure out what will be your best side to serve with leftover pizza.
In a Hurry, want to know What to serve with Leftover Pizza. Then try any of these- Salads, Pastas, Pizzadillas, Sandwiches, Soups, Roasted Brussel Sprouts, Tomato Soup, Veggie Frittata, Pizza Casserole, Nachos, Quesadillas, Pizza Pancakes, Pizza Pie, and Pizza Pockets.
15 Ultimate Sides to serve with Leftover Pizza
1. Salads
Salads are always an easy and healthy way to enjoy your slice or two of leftover pizza.
All you need is some greens, a few vegetables, and some dressing. To give your extra salad flavor, add sliced pieces of cold pizza right on top! It makes for a great combination and adds some zest to your salad.
You can also add other ingredients like beans, olives, chickpeas, tomatoes, or radishes.
Whether it’s a Caesar salad or a light green salad topped with tomatoes, cucumbers, and feta cheese, the crispness of the vegetables will contrast nicely with the warm, cheesy pizza. For an extra kick of flavor, top your salad off with some pepperoncini peppers or Italian dressing.
2. Pasta Dishes
If you want something more substantial than a salad but still simple enough for an everyday meal, then try out some pasta dishes with your leftover pizza!
Just like, Lasagna is always a favorite among Italian cuisine enthusiasts—just layer your shredded mozzarella cheese between two layers of lasagna noodles before baking in the oven until golden brown.
Or perhaps you can also whip up some macaroni and cheese using your leftover slices as part of its topping?
Start by heating up the pizza in a skillet over medium heat until it’s nice and crispy. Then add it to cooked pasta and sauces like marinara or pesto for added flavor.
You can even mix in some vegetables like broccoli or bell peppers if you want extra texture and nutrients in your dish. And don’t forget to sprinkle some cheese on top before serving!
3. Try Pizzadillas
For a most creative way to twist on traditional quesadillas, try making pizza in Dallas using your leftover pizza!
Start by cutting up the pizza into small cubes and then place them between two tortillas along with cheese and any other ingredients of your choice (such as olives or jalapenos).
Then cook the Pizzadilla on both sides over medium heat until it’s golden brown and crispy. Serve it with sour cream or guacamole for an added kick!
4. Have Pizza With Sandwiches
Sandwich always filling and comforting food, so why not try it with pizza? Take A classic grilled cheese sandwich is always a crowd-pleaser—it pairs perfectly with any type of pizza!
Or, if you’re looking for something more exciting, try making an Italian-inspired panini filled with salami, provolone cheese, tomato slices, and arugula. The combination of flavors will please even the pickiest eaters in your family.
5. Soups
Soup is another wonderful way to use up leftover pizza. A hearty minestrone soup can be prepared in just minutes using canned tomatoes and beans—it makes for a wholesome meal that won’t leave you feeling weighed down afterward.
Or, if you prefer something lighter yet still flavorful, try making a creamy tomato bisque that will perfectly complement any type of pizza topping.
6. Roasted Brussel Sprouts- A Healthy Pair
Roasted Brussels sprouts are a simple side dish for leftover pizza. They are easy to prepare and have a deep flavor. The combination of crispy leaves and tender centers makes them incredibly enjoyable.
To roast Brussels sprouts, preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and toss Brussels sprouts along with olive oil & salt. Spread the Brussels sprouts on a baking sheet and roast in the preheated oven for 25 minutes until golden brown and crisp. Serve immediately.
7. Tomato Soup
This easy-to-make tomato soup is a great way to make use of leftover pizza. Start by sautéing chopped onion and garlic in a large saucepan over medium heat.
Add tomato paste, diced tomatoes, and their juices, as well as chicken or vegetable broth, to the pan. Simmer until the tomatoes are soft, then use an immersion blender to purée the soup until smooth.
Serve with a chunk of sour cream and some freshly chopped basil leaves.
8. Veggie Frittata with Leftover Pizza
Vegetable frittata is the perfect way to use up leftover pizza while still getting some veggies into the mix.
Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray an 8-inch baking dish with cooking spray. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, salt, and pepper. Stir in diced bell peppers, onions, and any other veggies you have on hand.
Cut leftover pizza into bite-sized pieces and add to the egg mixture. Pour the mixture into the baking dish and bake for 30 minutes or until set in the center. Slice into wedges and serve warm.
9. Pizza Casserole
Pizza casserole is another best way to utilize any leftover pizza slices you may have. Begin by preheating the oven to 375°F and spraying an 8-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Spread a layer of diced cooked chicken or turkey over the bottom of the dish, then top that with sliced pepperoni, mushrooms, olives, and any other pizza toppings you have available.
Top the mixture with leftover pizza slices, covering as much of the dish as possible. Spread pizza sauce over the top and sprinkle with shredded cheese.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Let cool slightly before serving.
10. Nachos
Who doesn’t love nachos? I am kind of obsessed with Nachos. And if you have some leftover pizza, this is the perfect way to use it!
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place tortilla chips on a large baking sheet and top with crumbled leftover pizza slices, black beans, corn, jalapeños, and diced bell peppers. Sprinkle with shredded cheese and dollops of sour cream.
Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve immediately, topped with freshly diced tomatoes, chopped cilantro, and guacamole, if desired.
11. Quesadillas
Quesadillas is a delicious recipe that is sure to be a hit with your leftover pizza. Begin by preheating a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place two tortillas in the skillet and sprinkle with shredded cheese.
Top with diced bell peppers, cooked bacon or sausage, black beans, and some crumbled leftover pizza slices. Place another tortilla on top of the filling and flip until the bottom is golden brown.
Cook until the other side is golden as well, then cut into wedges and serve with sour cream and salsa.
12. Pasta Salad and Leftover Pizza
Here’s a great way to make use of leftover pizza slices in a pasta salad. Start by cooking about 2 cups of macaroni according to the package directions.
Drain and rinse the macaroni, then place it in a large bowl. Add diced bell peppers, olives, cooked bacon or sausage pieces, and crumbled leftover pizza slices to the bowl.
To make the dressing, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and stir until everything is evenly coated. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
13. Make Pizza Pancakes
For a fun twist on breakfast pancakes, try this pizza pancake recipe! One cup of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, ¼ teaspoon of salt, and ⅛ teaspoon of garlic powder mix together 1 in a bowl.
In another bowl, whisk together 1 cup of milk, 1 egg, and 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until they are barely mixed.
Grease a nonstick skillet with cooking spray or butter and heat over medium heat. Drop batter onto the hot skillet in ¼ cup amounts, then top each pancake with crumbled leftover pizza slices.
Cook for about 2 to 3 minutes, or until golden brown on the bottom, then flip and cook the other side. Serve topped with butter and syrup, if desired.
14. Pizza Pie
Give your traditional apple pie a run for its money with this delicious pizza pie. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 9-inch pie dish with cooking spray.
In a big bowl, blend 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 10 tablespoons of cold butter (cut into pieces), 3 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese, and ½ teaspoon of garlic powder until the mixture begins to clump together.
Line the prepared pie dish with the dough and spread crumbled leftover pizza slices on top. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool slightly before serving.
15. Pizza Pockets
Have some fun with your leftover pizza by turning it into these easy-to-make pizza pockets! Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Unroll a tube of refrigerated pizza dough onto a lightly floured surface and cut it into four equal pieces. Place a few crumbled leftover pizza slices in the center of each piece, then fold over and seal the edges with your fingers or by pressing down with a fork.
Arrange the pockets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Take Away From Me!
As you can see from this list, there are plenty of tasty options when it comes to serving up leftovers from last night’s pizza dinner party. Whether it’s salads or sandwiches or soups, Quesadillas or pasta dishes and of course, don’t miss pizzadillas for an exciting take on quesadillas—the possibilities are endless!
So go ahead and give one (or all!) of these recipes a try; I know that they won’t disappoint!
FAQs
How do you make leftover pizza taste better?
You can do various things to improve the leftover pizza flavor.
One way is to add some extra toppings or cheese to give your pizza a boost in flavor. You can also try reheating it in the oven for a few minutes, as this will help to crisp up the crust and bring out more of the flavors.
If you have some extra sauce, you can also pour it over the pizza before reheating it. This will help to bring out the flavors of the sauce and give your pizza a deeper flavor.
Another great way to make leftover pizza taste better is to add fresh herbs or spices like oregano, basil, or red pepper flakes. These subtle flavors can really help to bring out the flavor in your pizza.
Don’t forget to add a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil can give your leftover pizza a nice kick in flavor and add some healthy fats to your meal. With these simple tips, you’ll have delicious leftover pizza in no time!
How do you refresh leftover pizza?
One way to refresh leftover pizza is to reheat it in the oven. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and place a baking sheet in the oven. Take the leftover pizza out of its container, if applicable, and place it on the preheated baking sheet.
Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the crust is golden brown. If the pizza toppings are still cold, leave them for a few more minutes. Enjoy your freshly reheated pizza!
The second best way to refresh leftover pizza is to reheat it in the microwave. Place one or two slices of pizza on a plate and cover it with a damp paper towel. Microwave on high for 30-45 seconds. The pizza should be hot, and the cheese melted. Be careful not to overcook your pizza, as it can become rubbery.
The last way to refresh leftover pizza is to heat it up on the stovetop. Heat a nonstick skillet over light heat and add a teaspoon of oil. Place the pizza slices in the skillet and cover.
Cook for 2-3 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the crust is golden brown. Enjoy your delicious, freshly reheated pizza!
Is 2-day-old pizza still good?
We all love leftover pizza; come on, who doesn’t? The question is how much old pizza should take! One day or 2 days.
When it comes to pizza, it depends on what type of pizza it is and the ingredients used. like
The traditional Neapolitan-style pizza, 2-day-old pizza, is typically not suitable to eat. This is because the dough is made with high hydration levels that cause it to become soggy after a day or two.
However, if the pizza has a thicker crust, such as a Chicago-style pizza, it may still be enjoyable to eat after two days. Additionally, certain toppings can also make the pizza last longer. Cheese and meats like pepperoni or sausage tend to hold up better than vegetables when it comes to leftover pizza.
In summary, two-day-old pizza may still be safe to eat depending on the type of pizza it is and what toppings have been used. Check for noticeable mold before consuming leftovers to ensure they are still safe to eat.
Don’t Forget to re-heating the pizza in a skillet on the stovetop is an excellent way to extend its life and make it taste fresher. Enjoy your leftovers!
