# What to do with leftover pizza **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [October 20, 2020, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-leftover-pizza/923438 "2020-10-20T20:53:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2020, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-leftover-pizza/923438/1 "2020-10-20T20:53:53Z")
I’m by my lonesome and ordered a medium pizza. I’ll probably eat a couple slices tonight, and save the rest for the future. Do I bag it while it’s still steaming, or wait until it cools. Freeze it or fridge it? ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2020, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-leftover-pizza/923438/2 "2020-10-20T20:55:20Z")
Leave the remaining pizza in the box, put the box in the fridge, eat cold pizza for breakfast. ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2020, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-leftover-pizza/923438/3 "2020-10-20T20:56:41Z")
Let it cool. Freezing or fridging depends on how soon you plan to eat it. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2020, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-leftover-pizza/923438/4 "2020-10-20T20:56:43Z")
I stack the remaining slices on paper towels, separated by paper towels and stored in a large ziploc bag. I think doing this helps keep it from drying out excessively. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2020, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-leftover-pizza/923438/5 "2020-10-20T21:01:26Z")
[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/r5KidgLsaeQ/maxresdefault.jpg "The Best Munchies - 6 Quick & Easy Recipes | SAM THE COOKING GUY 4K") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5KidgLsaeQ) Sounds gross but it’s actually pretty good: Pizza eggs! ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2020, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-leftover-pizza/923438/6 "2020-10-20T21:02:00Z")
Yeah, that’s the traditional approach, but if I save some for 2 or 3 days hence, the box doesn’t really work. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2020, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-leftover-pizza/923438/7 "2020-10-20T21:03:19Z")
Your words are strange to me, what is this leftover pizza you speak about? I am struggling to grasp the concept. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2020, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-leftover-pizza/923438/8 "2020-10-20T21:05:42Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > Yeah, that’s the traditional approach, but if I save some for 2 or 3 days hence, the box doesn’t really work. I can usually get two to three days out of it, at least for Pizza Hut pizza. But I tend to throw it in the oven for 5 or 10 minutes. Remelting the cheese will make a world of difference. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2020, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-leftover-pizza/923438/9 "2020-10-20T21:08:45Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > I can usually get two to three days out of it, at least for Pizza Hut pizza. But I tend to throw it in the oven for 5 or 10 minutes. Remelting the cheese will make a world of difference. Yup, a couple days in the box is fine, and the toaster oven revives it. But if you think it’s drying out too much, put it in a plastic bag in the morning or after it’s had time to cool completely. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2020, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-leftover-pizza/923438/10 "2020-10-20T21:11:39Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > But if you think it’s drying out too much, put it in a plastic bag in the morning or after it’s had time to cool completely. I agree, even saran wrap on a plate will help. Given that delivered pizza should be just about the easiest dinner, I try to keep in simple, hence just tossing the entire box in the fridge. No worrying about it cooling off or any of that. I also don’t get too worked up about tossing a slice or two of three day old pizza. I’m not going to save it long term and I can only have pizza for dinner so many days in a row. ---
**Author:** ![Delayed\_Reflex](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/delayed_reflex/32/3172_2.png) [@Delayed\_Reflex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Delayed_Reflex)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2020, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-leftover-pizza/923438/11 "2020-10-20T21:12:03Z")
However you end up storing it, I’d recommend re-heating it in either a frying pan or a toaster oven if you like your crust to be crispy. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2020, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-leftover-pizza/923438/12 "2020-10-20T21:14:46Z")
When I get a pizza, I get the largest one they have. After I eat, and the pizza is no longer hot, out comes the saran wrap. 4 pieces wrapped up tight in each tear of plastic wrap. All the little bundles of wrapped slices go into a gallon sized ziploc bag which goes in the freezer. That pie lasts a week, week and a half easy. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2020, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-leftover-pizza/923438/13 "2020-10-20T21:19:06Z")
Request the superior square ‘party cut’ and the leftovers more easily pack into an airtight container. Reheat in a dry skillet. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2020, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-leftover-pizza/923438/14 "2020-10-20T21:19:16Z")
This thread put me in the mood to have pizza delivered tonight. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2020, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-leftover-pizza/923438/15 "2020-10-20T21:22:26Z")
My work here is done. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2020, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-leftover-pizza/923438/16 "2020-10-20T21:59:37Z")
I usually eat it. Sometimes my dog eats it instead. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2020, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-leftover-pizza/923438/17 "2020-10-20T22:03:50Z")
Depending on how fastidious your packaging or how long you leave it laying around you may have a problem with the crust drying out more than you like. Fortunately that’s easy to fix. About 15 seconds in the microwave will soften the crust. Then either immediately eat it cold or reheat it however you prefer. > [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > Your words are strange to me, what is this leftover pizza you speak about? I am struggling to grasp the concept. Just wait 'til you’re older. You’ll get it. 2 Larges just don’t go down today as well as they did in college. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2020, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-leftover-pizza/923438/18 "2020-10-20T22:09:11Z")
If you do bundle it into a plastic bag, put wax paper or something non-absorbent on it so that the cheese doesn’t stick to cheese. It will peel right off wax paper. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2020, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-leftover-pizza/923438/19 "2020-10-21T00:47:50Z")
Until my children were grown I had forgotten what leftover pizza was. In a ziploc bag in the fridge. It’s cooled down a lot by the time we’re both sure we don’t want more. ---
**Author:** ![JohnGalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johngalt/32/184_2.png) [@JohnGalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnGalt)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2020, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-leftover-pizza/923438/20 "2020-10-21T00:48:15Z")
I used to wrap two or more slices together in a single piece of Saran Wrap, either with the toppings facing each other, or as a single layer. Neither was satisfactory. Then I realized that Saran Wrap is cheap (enough) that, hell yes, I could wrap each slice separately. I refrigerate a few slices to take to work the next day for lunch, or I’ll freeze them if I can’t eat them the next few days. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-leftover-pizza/923438.md?page=2)