Take-out pizza. I love it and you probably do too. It’s one of those “even when it’s bad its good” goodies. I know you can think of some of the other favorites that fall into that category, but this is a food blog and we’ll limit our discussion to pizza. The thing about take-out pizza, even bad take-out pizza, is this: it’s so good that if you’re smart you always order the extra-large pie. Because the only thing better than bad take-out pizza is bad leftover breakfast pizza. If you’ve ever eaten a cold slice of pizza for breakfast, then you know what I’m talking about.
Of course standing at the fridge (with the door wide open) scarfing down leftover cheesy-carbs may be a time-tested hangover cure, but it’s not quite the sort of “bring on the day” meal I’m talking about.
Resuscitated Breakfast Pizza
Besides, I did order that extra-large pizza and it’s so deliciously bad that I just can’t let the morning-after portion go to waste. So, taking a cue from Mathieu Palombino of Motorino Pizza in Brooklyn, I’ve learned to resuscitate breakfast pizza. This simple trick will take your breakfast pizza from bad to quite possibly the best meal you’ll have all day. GREG
Avoid wet, soggy pizza with way too many ingredients and pizza with freaky toppings. Simple cheese pizza or pizza with just a few quality ingredients are best. That rule applies to all pizza consumption, not just this recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 handful grated Parmesan or Gruyère cheese
- 1 slice leftover pizza
- 2 slice bacon
- 1 large egg
- extra-virgin olive oil (for drizzling)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Sprinkle Parmesan or Gruyère – or any real cheese you have – on a slice of leftover pizza. Place the pizza on a baking sheet lined with parchment or aluminum foil and put it in the oven for a few minutes, until the cheese starts the bubble.
Meanwhile, sauté the bacon in a pan over medium heat. When it’s done, remove and reserve the bacon. Drain the excess fat from the pan, but don’t wipe it down. Crack the egg into the same pan and cook sunny-side up. Top the pizza with the bacon strips, then the egg. Drizzle with high-quality olive oil.
What a great idea! I never though of adding egg and bacon to my breakfast pizza, and now I’m wondering how that got past me all these years.
I don’t know, pretty hard to beat cold leftover pizza in the morning. But this does look awfully tempting, I must admit. Really nice — thanks.
I feel resuscitated just reading this! Now I just have to order some pizza!
I know we are only supposed to do “compression only” CPR, but this requires mouth-to-mouth for sure!
We regularly save two slices of pizza for breakfast pizza, we generally put a poached egg on top but the fried egg is the first of its kind we’ve ever had! We like to crisp up the crust in a cast iron pan. I love that you added extra toppings particularly the cheese! It’s a wonderful breakfast!
I dunno. Bad leftover pizza for breakfast? No, I’m not proud, I’ve certainly eaten cold pizza, even without a hangover. But it’s always terrible, even when it was a good pizza the night before. And why is that??!!!! Not sure if an egg and some bacon would do it for me.…
Great idea. I was just thinking of actually keeping some pizza crust already baked in freezer to make breakfast pizza, but this is easier.
Leftover pizza is, indeed, one of the best things in life… And topping it with egg, bacon and cheese is sheer brilliance. So simple, and so perfect!
Hey Greg, what are trying to do ? This looks so good I have to do it the next time I have some leftover pizza. Totally decadent !