7 Pizza Takeout Tips You’ll Wish You Knew Earlier
It’s hard to believe that takeout pizza can be improved upon. Getting a meal that you didn’t have to cook, that you don’t need any dishes or utensils to eat, and that the whole family will cheer for is a good-enough reason to order a pie (or nine) every once in a while.
But guess what? There are a few pizza takeout hacks that can make this dinner (and breakfast! And lunch!) favorite even more of a good thing.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind before, during, or after you order your next pizza pie to go.
1. Order a bonus pizza to freeze for later.
The next time you order a pizza, order one more than you really need. This way, you’re sure to have leftovers, which you can freeze and pull out for lunches or a quick dinner in a pinch. Allow the pizza to cool completely (in fact, it’s best to refrigerate it), and then place slices in freezer-safe zip-top bags so they’re ready for later.
2. And then reheat it the correct way.
If you’re groaning over the tip above, it’s probably because you don’t know the best way to reheat leftover pizza. We tested five popular methods and found that the skillet-with-a-bit-of-water method is the way to go. See our test here.
3. If you’re getting Costco pizza, order it before you shop.
Picking up a fresh pizza after your wholesale warehouse shopping trip is a pretty effortless meal plan. But placing your order before you shop means you won’t have to wait in line to order it or hang around while it’s being made. If you’re going to Costco expressly for a pizza, call ahead to place your order for the same reasons.
4. Ask for a double cut.
Requesting a double cut means that your pizza maker will cut twice as many slices. This allows you to sample several pizzas (if you ordered a variety) and is great for feeding young kids who can more easily both hold and finish a smaller slice.
5. Keep your pizza level with a soda bottle.
A pizza set on a slanted car seat could lead to pizza toppings and cheese sliding from where they’re supposed to be. Wedge a soda bottle in the crevice of the seat to help the pizza box sit more level, and make driving your fresh pizza home worry-free.
6. Save the pizza saver.
That tiny plastic “table” that comes in the middle of your takeout pizza keeps the box lid from sagging into the melty cheese, but it can be reused in a new life once it’s done its job. Wash it and save it — and flip it upside-down to use it as a phone stand the next time you’re reading a recipe or watching a how-to video on your phone while you’re cooking.
7. Make your own salad to round out the meal.
We know, most of the appeal of pizza night is not having to cook, but it’s not hard to whip up a salad. You can likely just use up whatever’s left in the fridge and it’ll be a lot cheaper than if you added one to your order. Here are a few ideas, should you want to use a recipe.
Do you have any takeout pizza tips to add? Leave them in the comments below.