If you’ve ever ordered a hefty pie of deep dish pizza, then you likely have had leftovers to spare.

It’s an excitingly delicious prospect — who doesn’t love to have a few extra slices of pizza to eat at a later date? Extending an order of pizza beyond the initial serving and into multiple meals is, arguably, one of the best perks of ordering a pie.

Reheating those remaining Chicago-style slices, however, can be a bit of a daunting, or even confounding, task. With its casserole-like qualities, deep-dish boasts an unmistakably different makeup than a California-style, tavern-style or New York pizza; and there can be confusion over whether you should warm up the Chicago-born food in the same manner as a more traditional slice.

After all, deep-dish pizza does have a distinctly flakier and deeper crust, along with the unique circumstance of the tomato sauce resting atop the toppings and cheese; rather than vice versa.

Many people resort to microwaving their pizza out of confusion, but that course of action is undoubtedly a mistake. While microwaves are great for warming up certain foods, the kitchen appliance just doesn’t do justice to leftover pizza.

Here are step-by-step instructions to reheat your deep-dish pizza and return this classic Windy City dish to its former fresh-from-the-oven splendor.

Reheating Deep Dish Pizza

These instructions will vary depending on the power of your oven and how much deep dish pizza you have leftover:

• Heat your oven to 350 degrees. This temperature is best, according to Chicago restaurant Connie’s Pizza, because it’s not high enough to burn your already-cooked deep-dish. It may take longer, but the outcome is worth the wait.
• Place your leftover pie on a cookie sheet that, for good measure, has been misted with cooking spray or greased with a little oil.
• Spritz the top of the pizza with a small amount of water so that the pizza’s cheese will retain moisture.
• Place your tray with pizza in the oven for approximately 15 to 20 minutes, or longer depending on your desired warmth. Chicago restaurants like Giordano’s recommends covering the pie with aluminum foil, which will provide some extra heat while protecting the pie from dying out.
• Once the pizza is warmed to your specification, remove the pizza out of the oven. Allow it to cool for a few minutes.
• Serve the finished reheated dish. Enjoy!