How to Store and Reheat Pizza

Storing and reheating pizza the wrong way can result in a soggy or dried out mess. There's no magic method to make the pizza taste fresh-baked again, but if you use the right storing and heating techniques you can produce a dish that is tasty and satisfying in its own right. Read on for information on how to store and reheat leftover pizza.

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Always prep it for storing. Placing the box of pizza straight into the refrigerator will inevitably result in soggy pizza. The moisture from the tomato sauce, vegetables and meat will soak through the crust. The thinner the crust, the soggier it will get. Take the pizza out of the box and spend a few minutes getting it ready for storage.
- Line a plate or airtight container with paper towels.
- Place the pizza on the paper towels and place more paper towels on top of the pizza.
- Cover the plate with plastic wrap, and if you're using a container, cover it with a lid.

Store it in the refrigerator if you plan to eat it soon. Keeping the pizza in the refrigerator will cool it down enough so that it doesn't spoil, but it won't change the texture of the pizza as much as freezing it.

Store it in the freezer to keep it for two days or longer. The longer pizza stays in the refrigerator, the soggier it will get, so if you want to keep it for next week you should put it in the freezer. Pack it in an airtight container, rather than on a plate, with plenty of paper towels. You can store it in the freezer this way for up to a few months.

Prep it for reheating. Pizza shouldn't go straight from the refrigerator or freezer to the oven. To get the best possible texture, set it out on the counter and let it come to room temperature first.

Reheating Pizza in an Oven

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Take the time to let the oven completely preheat before you put the pizza inside. The final results will be worth the wait - especially if you're reheating an entire pizza. If you put it in too soon, it could turn out soft in the wrong places. If you do it right, this method will result in a pizza that tastes quite similar to the original.

Place the pizza on a baking sheet and put it in the oven. If you have a baking stone, that's even better, since stones are constructed to evenly distribute heat throughout the food. Otherwise, a baking sheet or another baking dish will work fine.
- If any of the toppings look less appetizing than they did before, remove them before placing the pizza in the oven.
- Consider dressing the pizza up with fresh diced tomatoes, basil, mushrooms, or other fresh vegetables. You could also drizzle it with a little olive oil or add fresh cheese.

Cook the pizza for 15 minutes. Check it every so often to watch the progress. When the pizza is done, the cheese should be bubble and crispy brown in spots. Remove it from the oven and enjoy.

Reheating Pizza in a Toaster Oven

Preheat the toaster oven to 400 degrees. Make sure the toaster oven is fully preheated before you put the pizza inside, or the texture will suffer for it. This method should result in pizza that is crunchy on the bottom and bubbly on top.

Place the pizza slices in the oven. Most toaster ovens are small, so this method is probably best for one or two slices of pizza. If you have more, you'll have to do a few pieces at a time.

Cook the pizza for 10 minutes. Peer inside the toaster oven window and check the cheese. If it looks bubbly and gooey, it should be ready to eat.

Reheating Pizza in a Skillet

Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat. This method is great for thin crust pizzas that have gotten a little soggy. If you don't have a cast iron skillet, a frying pan is fine.

Place the pizza slices in the skillet and cover. Covering the pizza will help melt the cheese and heat the toppings while the crust is crisping on the bottom.

Cook the pizza until the cheese is bubbling. After about five minutes, check the pizza to determine whether it is finished. If the cheese is melted and the crust seems crisp, remove it from the skillet.
- If the cheese is melted but the crust is soggy, remove the lid and let it cook for a few minutes more before you take it off the heat.