Croissant pizza crust and lobster roll alimentary paste — creative thinking is the name of the game with this exciting trend .

Matt Armendariz

Should you have pizza for dinner party or maybe Chinese food ? Is it a Taco Tuesday , or do you want to try some Thai ? The late culinary craze says you do n’t have to choose . come across the young menu makeover : the mashup .

Whole veggie banh mi pizza

Credit:Matt Armendariz

Intuitively named , food mashupsmix and jibe intimate favorites into something new . Sometimes , that mean a combination of two different ravisher from the same genre of food , like using bread eggplant as a “ noodle ” to make eggplant parm lasagna . Other times , it means finding a common look between seemingly unrelated cuisines and creating a nuclear fusion looker , like a Mexican pizza pie using tortilla as a al-Qaeda ( chapeau tip to Taco Bell for that one ) .

According to the2024 Pinterest Predicts report , " melty mashups , " creatively - indulgent formula are topping search : from " pizza pot Proto-Indo European " ( +55 % ) and " carbonara ramen " ( +165 % ) to " cheeseburger tacos " ( +255 % ) and " burger quesadilla " ( +80 % ) .

" This tendency takes two ooey - gooey , goody - yourself favorite and get hitched with them to make mouth - watering , melty mashups like ' hamburger quesadilla ' and ' pizza pot Proto-Indo European . ' Gen X and Boomers will feed on this all - new food fusion in 2024 , " the report read .

Pasta Chips in metal serving dish

Credit: Hannah Bigot

Because this is a newer vogue with almost eternal possibilities , it can finger overwhelming to try out . We reached out to a chef to get their take on how to get commence with this food fad , and they gave us tons of tips for home cooks . The best word ? She partake in it works with any food for thought , so however you choose to try this tasty trend , you ’re confine to have fun .

Why are we seeing so many food mashups now?

Popular acculturation has fueled a multiplication of gourmet . Shows likeDiners Drive - in and Divesshow some originative meals you probably would n’t come up with on your own . Competitions likeTop Chefpopularized render new and exciting dishes , while shows with home cooks andfun societal media hackshave made creating culinary masterpiece feel more accessible . All these factor lead to mass being more open to eating — and making — their own unique food mashups .

“ I cogitate wacky mashups are popular because two familiar things mixed together with a kink of creativity is appealing , " say Jamie Bisioulis , chef and owner ofFire Thyme   + Bar . After all , it ’s the best of both worlds .

Another reason they ’re so popular ? There ’s no wrong way to go about it .

Ramen Meat Loaf

Credit: Jason Donnelly

“ I do n’t conceive you could put a limit on the types of cuisines used for mashups , " Bisioulis enunciate . " Everyone ’s comfort food is unlike . What you are familiar with , plus a novel style , equalise a perfect mashup . ”

How to Try a Mashup of Your Own

If you want to cook up your own mashups , we ’ve stupefy the formula for winner . To get started , Bisioulis suggest you work with something you ’re familiar with .

“ The best tip I have is to go with is using one culinary art you are super comfortable with and adding a different proficiency that could operate , " she tell .

For example , Bisioulis took her signaturelobster rolland turn it into a alimentary paste knockout . By unite two conversant meals , she produce a new , unique twist .

baked beef taco pie

Credit:BHG / Abbey Littlejohn

Think about food that make easy bases for tone ( pizza pie crusts , greaser shells , bread ) that can easily be customized by whatever you decide to top them with . This gives you an splendid jump - off point for experiment , layering in unequalled flavors to spice up up your food . This hint is n’t just for home chefs but professional , too .

“ Not only are we mixing things up by using croissant dough in place of pizza pie crust , we ’re making the topping combos that are familiar outdoors of a pizza setting — Philly cheesesteak , pepperoni pan , and BLT are the go - tos of the menu , " she says .

BHG / Abbey Littlejohn

For additional inhalation , Bisioulis recommends looking to some of your family favorites for a formula renovation .

“ The most exciting mashup I ’m using at my restaurant is our wimp Kyiv meatball , " she aver . " My mama made the proficient chicken Kyiv . Our kink , however , will be incorporating flavors like Boursin cheeseflower , reinvigorated schnittlaugh , some butter , and a freshly baked ciabatta roller to soak up all the good . ”

When in incertitude , verify you have your basics down so you ’re break your mashup the best opportunity of success . As Bisioulis says , “ You ca n’t go wrong with a tried - and - genuine proficiency . ”

If you do n’t feel like doing any food butterfly yourself but still want to experience the trend , you may always explore a few local restaurant — you’re likely to find these new menu match-up at your favorite topographic point this twelvemonth .