We have previously covered the impact that food waste has on the environment. Don’t worry if you missed those blog articles, feel free to explore and learn more here:
Top 3 Ways to Reduce Food Waste in the Grocery Industry
How leading QSRs are Promoting Sustainability in their Restaurants
How Our Food Choices Impact the Environment
Sustainability Trends for the Food Industry to Watch in 2022
In efforts to help reduce food waste in the New Year and help readers find time-saving recipes, here are a few quick and innovative recipes to help you make the most of your latest grocery, convenience store (c-store), and quick serve trips! If you’re a grocery, c-store, or QSR owner/operator, no promises you’ll be adding these recipes to your store’s menu, but we guarantee you’ll have fun with each recipe.
1. 4 methods to best reheat leftover pizza
Think twice before tossing those last pizza slices. Here are a few ways to safely reheat pizza:
Method 1: Stove top
- Heat the pan over medium heat
- Add pizza and cook for a couple of minutes, uncovered to get a crispy crust
- On the side of the pan (not on the pizza), add a few drops of water
- Immediately cover the pan with a lid and cook the pizza until the cheese is melted and the pizza is heated through
Method 2: Oven
- Preheat oven to 450ºF
- Line a baking tray with tin foil and place the slices on the sheet
- Cook for approx. 10 minutes or until the cheese starts bubbling
- Take the pizza out to cool and chow down!
Method 3: Air Fryer
- Line your air fryer with tin foil or parchment paper
- Place pizza slices on the prepared air fryer basket, rack or tray
- Set your Air Fry at 360°F/180°C for 3-6 minutes or until cooked to your desired crispness. Cook an additional minute(s) if you want the pizza to be crispier. Note that deep dish crusts will take a little longer, while thin crust will be slightly quicker
- Let cool to the touch and devour
Method 4: Microwave
- Place a microwave-safe glass of water in the microwave with your pizza on a microwave safe plate
- Heat on high for approx. 45 seconds or until the cheese has melted and eat!
Find more detailed pizza food safety tips here: Pizza Food Safety: Handling Leftovers and Health Safety.
2. Spice up your leftover pizza with ingredients from recent grocery store run
Feel free to get creative here! The pizza combination options are endless. Here are just a few ideas:
Fresh Toppings
- Grab any and all ingredients in your kitchen whether it is frozen veggies, a fried egg, jalapenos, fresh herbs, salad or even more cheese
- Find additional topping ideas here
- Rather make a “leftover” inspired pizza from scratch? Find inspiration here
- Select the method to warm up your pizza (above), and you’ve made an entirely new dish. Enjoy!
Pizza Panini
- Take 2 slices of your leftover pizza and sandwich additional toppings from your kitchen (some ideas noted above)
- Press the slices together in your panini maker (or into a skillet on medium heat for 5 minutes on each side/ until cheese is melted)
- Or, try making this version from scratch
- Plate and enjoy your new pizza creation
- Take two slices of leftover pizza in place of burger buns
- To warm the pizza buns, pick one of the four methods outlined above
- Place your cooked burger patties (beef or plant-based alternative) along with your favorite fixings between your pizza slices
Plate with a side of homemade fries and bon appetit!
3. Late night dessert from your local c-store
Homemade hot fudge from your favorite candy bar
- Pick out 6oz of your favorite candy bar (i.e. Milky Way, Snickers, 3 Musketeers) and purchase a pint of ice cream and heavy cream
- Break the candy bars into pieces
- Place the candy in a small saucepan over medium heat along with ½ cup of heavy cream
- Cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until the chocolate is melted and the sauce is creamy, approx. 5 minutes.
- Serve warm over ice cream and dig in!
Just because these recipes are quick does not mean they require any less attention to safety. Check out our ultimate guide to digital food safety for a refresh on best practices. Bon appetit!