Your favourite pizza FAQs

1. Does pineapple belong on pizza?   
2. Can you recycle pizza boxes?         
3. What is a calzone pizza?
4. Can you cook pizza on a BBQ?           
5. Can I eat pepperoni pizza while pregnant?                 
6. Why are pizzas round?
7. Why are pizza boxes square?
8. What does ‘pizza’ mean in Italian?   
9. Can you put a cardboard pizza box in the oven or microwave?
10. How do I stop pizza sticking to the tray?      

Despite the name, Hawaiian pizza was invented in Canada. In 1962, Sam Panopoulos, a Greek immigrant running a restaurant in Ontario, added pizza to his menu after a trip to Naples. While he initially served his pizza with more traditional toppings, it wasn’t long before ham and pineapple-topped pizza began appearing on the menu. 

It’s thought he was inspired by Americanised Chinese inspired dishes which were popular at this time and often mixed sweet and savoury flavours. The creation also emerged shortly after Hawaii became an American state in 1959, so could have also been inspired by Tiki culture.

You might think all pizza boxes are recyclable since they’re made of cardboard. Not quite, we’re afraid. If there’s too much pizza grease on the box it causes recycling headaches so will sadly likely end up in in landfill. 

So, are pizza boxes recyclable? Yes, they are – but no greasy boxes allowed.

Sustainability is a cornerstone at Papa John’s. Our pizza boxes are intentionally crafted from recyclable materials. To properly recycle your pizza box, remove any remaining food and grease from the box before disposal. This simple step ensures that the box can be efficiently recycled, reducing environmental impact.

If you’re tired of cooking burgers on the BBQ, you’ll be happy to hear the answer to this. Believe it or not, you can cook pizza on a BBQ! But before you get in the garden and fire up the grill, here are a few key tips to ensure your BBQ pizza experience is a success:

How to cook pizza on a BBQ

Whether you’ve made your own pizza, or you’re reheating some leftover Papa Johns takeaway pizza, cooking it on the BBQ will give it a crispy, smoky flavour.

Once you’ve heated up your BBQ, there are a couple of options for cooking your pizza. You can either place the pizza directly on the grill grates, or better yet, use a pizza stone (or heavy baking tray).

How long to cook it for will depend on how thick your crust is, and the size of your pizza. To gauge when it’s perfectly cooked, keep a watchful eye on it; the cooking time could range from 5 to 15 minutes. The goal is a golden crust and bubbly cheese, so trust your instincts and keep that spatula ready!

The round shape of pizzas is rooted in practically. It’s simply easier to make and cut round pizzas – from rolling the dough, to cutting slices evenly.

Beyond the practicalities, the round shape also symbolises togetherness and sharing. At Papa Johns, our hand-tossed pizzas continue this tradition, bringing people together through the love of pizza!

Technically speaking, the definition of ‘pizza’ in Italian is a “thin focaccia made of flour mixed with water and yeast, seasoned in various ways and cooked in the oven”.

And as for how the term ‘pizza’ originated? Some believe the term ‘pizza’ came from the Italian word ‘pinza’, which has roots in the Latin term ‘pinsere’, meaning to pound or stamp. Another theory suggests it could be linked to the Greek word ‘pitta’ translating to cake or pie. You can read more about it in our History of Pizza blog.

Can you put a cardboard pizza box in the oven or microwave?

For safety, it’s crucial not to cook pizza in its cardboard box – whether in the oven or microwave.

If you’re cooking pizza in the oven, pop it on a baking tray; if you’re heating it up in the microwave, make sure it’s on a microwave-safe plate. 

For more tips on reheating leftover pizza, check out our guides:

• How to cook pizza in the microwave
• How to store and reheat leftover pizza 

How do I stop pizza sticking to the tray?

We’ve all faced the frustration of a stuck pizza! To avoid your pizza sticking to the baking tray when cooking it in the oven, lightly oil the baking tray or use parchment paper.

Of course, there is a third solution: Forget cooking your own pizza. Order a Papa Johns takeaway and keep your baking tray and oven sparkling clean!

Check out our latest deals and offers and find your nearest Papa Johns.

Sources:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/z2vftrd

https://www.fswaste.co.uk/recycling-pizza-boxes/

https://www.waitrose.com/home/recipes/recipe_directory/h/barbecuepizza.html

https://www.cookist.com/why-is-pizza-round/

https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/cooking-tips-techniques/why-pizza-boxes-square