Ingredients
The only thing better than pizza is pizza with more stuff on it.
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Published Sept. 23, 2022.
In the takeout world, is there any food more customizable and well-loved than delivery pizza? It’s always a crowd-pleaser and takes zero effort.
But there are some small things you can do to up your delivery pizza game, whether it’s in the moment or fancying up your leftovers the next day.
In fact, you may be surprised how many ways there are to improve delivery pizza beyond adding meat and cheese. I took a poll around the office and was shocked (and intrigued) by all the creative additions.
Yes, delivery pizza is great (maybe the best), but sometimes you want to take it to the next level. Here's how.
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1. Crisp It Up
We’ve shared how to reheat leftover pizza, but this method works to crisp up a fresh slice or two of delivery that doesn’t quite have the texture you were looking for on the bottom. If you preheat your oven to 500 degrees when you make the order, you can pop the whole pie in as soon as it arrives.
2. Add More Cheese
A classic pizzeria topping is the shaker of Parm. But you can do so much better. Grate your own Parmesan, or try a different cheese altogether. A dollop (or five) of creamy ricotta cheese adds a contrasting texture with a mild flavor that won’t disrupt what the pizza already has going on. Plus, it holds its shape when heated. Burrata is another stellar alternative. Or add some mozzarella and make your own "cold slice"—cold mozzarella on top of your hot slice of cheese pizza.
3. Sprinkle It with Fresh Herbs
Fresh herbs add brightness to any dish, and pizza is no exception. If you have some parsley wilting in your crisper drawer or a leggy basil plant that could use a trim, add some roughly chopped or torn leaves to your pie for a welcome bit of green.
4. Add Some Vegetables
Broccolini is a common pizza ingredient, but why not add some leftover steamed broccoli or cauliflower? Or even better, finely chop the broccoli and sauté it with garlic and chili flakes.
5. Slather It in Caramelized Onions
We don’t need to sell you on caramelized onions, though if you need ways to cook them quicker, we have you covered. So, if you have some left over, sprinkle or spread a few on top of your pizza for a welcome pop of jammy sweetness.
6. Add Some Tang with Pickled Red Onions
If you’re a fan of tart over sweet, consider pickling your onions instead of caramelizing them. As a bonus, these onions will offer an extra bit of crunchy texture.
7. Put an Egg On It
Of course, fried eggs aren’t just for breakfast (although if your pizza has bacon on it, it may just be a match made in heaven). Grab a fork and knife for that runny yolk, though, it can get messy.
8. Give It a Drizzle
Chili flakes are a fantastic pop of heat on a slice of cheese pizza. But what if you could make those flavors integrate better with the cheese and crust? Adding a drizzle of something delicious is such a simple way to elevate your slice. Try hot honey, some chili oil, or your favorite store-bought hot sauce.
Chili Crisp (Lao Gan Ma)
This sweet and salty chili oil is perfect for spicy food enthusiasts.
Get the Recipe
9. Dip It in a Sauce
Dipping pizza in ranch dressing is common in the Midwest and has gained popularity over the years. Ranch is never going to go out of style, but why not make this tangy sour cream sauce from our Tater Tot and Sausage Pizza? (Another great option? Garlic Butter Sauce. Need we say more?). Here’s how to do it:
- Stir ⅓ cup of sour cream, 2 tablespoons of water, 1 tablespoon of lime juice, ½ teaspoon of chipotle chile powder, and ⅛ teaspoon of salt together in a bowl.
- Let pizza cool for 5 minutes. Drizzle with sour cream mixture, sprinkle with scallions, and serve.
10. Make a Pizza Salad
Even if you haven’t tried pizza al taglio, fresh greens on top of a hot slice of pizza can be appealing any time of year. Make a simple salad to top your pizza (especially pepperoni; it’s a game-changer): Toss together arugula, a drizzle of honey, and red pepper flakes.
