This is the ULTIMATE Thanksgiving leftovers recipe.
This Thanksgiving pizza has the best of it all in every single bite. Flatbread style pizza layered with tart cranberry sauce, covered in shredded turkey, then a layer of savory stuffing and finally smothered with cheddar cheese and of course, gravy! I don’t think it gets much better than this.
This Thanksgiving pizza made it’s first debut at a Friendsgiving party where I had never made anything like it before. I remember it clearly, that night when Thanksgiving pizza first came into our lives. Everyone was gathered around the fire pit talking and laughing and I disappeared into the kitchen to attempt to make what I called an experiment. I returned 15 minutes later with my first Thanksgiving pizza. Well, that first pizza is still being talked about today!
This Thanksgiving pizza is packed with all the flavors of your favorite Thanksgiving dishes so that every bite, really is the best bite! Even better, it’s so simple and a really fun way to use up those leftovers. I’ll tell you now, plan to make two because it’s really good!
It’s all about the base!
In the case of Thanksgiving Pizza, homemade or traditional pizza pie dough isn’t right for this. There are multiple players of toppings and basic crust can’t support it. Ultimately, you can use round or rectangular pre-made crust, but the important thing is to select a crust that can support the weight of the toppings of ingredients.
Having tested quite a few flatbreads and pizza crusts, I eventually discovered Brooklyn Bread Pizza crust. I found this not only to be the best brand to support the weight of the toppings without being too doughy, but its also easy to slice, and easy found at our local grocery stores. I have purchased the Brooklyn Bred Pizza Crusts at Whole Foods and Acme. Stonefire brand works well too if you can’t find Brooklyn Bred.
How to make Thanksgiving Pizza- with pictures!
STEP 1: PREP YOUR INGREDIENTS & PRE-HEAT
- 2.5 Cups Shredded Turkey (made from leftovers or make shredded turkey in a crockpot.)
- 2 – 2.5 Cups cooked and cooled stuffing
- 2.5 cups shredded blend of cheddar & Monterey Jack cheese (Always shred your own- it melts better.)
- 3/4 Cup of smooth Cranberry Sauce
- 1 Cup of gravy- set aside and kept warm.
- Chopped Parsley for Garnish
- Pre-heat the Grill (optional) to about 425
- Pre-heat the Oven to 425
STEP 2: ASSEMBLE THE PIZZA
LAYER 1: Cranberry Sauce
If using Brooklyn Bred like I am here, lay the flatbread in the clear plastic container in comes it to keep the mess contained! Not necessary, but helpful 🙂
Using the back of a spoon to spread 3/4 cup of smooth Cranberry Sauce evenly on the Flatbread Crust.
LAYER 2: Shredded Turkey
Add 2.5 cups of shredded turkey and spread evenly.
Use a weighted press (or your clean hands) to press the layer of turkey down gently.
Don’t press too hard on the weight- just get it flat and tidy!
LAYER 3: Stuffing
Add 2 – 2.5 Cups of cooked and cooled stuffing.
Repeat the step of pressing
LAYER 4: Cheese (always the best part!)
Evenly spread a generous 2.5 cups of shredded cheese on top.
Once again, press the final layer of cheese to make it nice and flat.
This is what it should look like and now it’s ready to cook!
STEP 3: COOK THE PIZZA
Make sure the Grill is around 425. (If you make it too hot, the bottom WILL burn!) Grill for about 4 minutes. The goal is to get a grill flavor on the crust. Check the bottom at two minutes to make sure its not burning.
Move the Pizza from the Grill to a Sheet Pan.
Tip: Use 2 Spatulas to move the pizza. See image above.
Finish in the oven for about 5-8 minutes or until hot and bubbly. If you like a lot of color, broil it for a minute or two but be careful not to burn it.
OVEN ONLY: You can skip the grill if you need to and just bake on a sheet pan for 10-12 minutes following the same directions.
Pro Tips:
After many, many years of making Thanksgiving Leftover Pizza, I would definitely call myself a Pro and as a result, I have a few tips for you when making this special and unique Thanksgiving Leftovers recipe!
- I like Whole Foods 365 Brand chicken flavored stuffing. This can be made 1-2 days in advance.
- Be generous with your gravy topping right before serving and make sure it’s hot!
- Use more cranberry sauce than you think. It can handle it and needs it with the bread.
- If using Brooklyn Bred, you can prepare it until the point of cooking and refrigerate it for a few hours in advance of cooking
Thanksgiving Pizza
Ingredients
- 1 Flatbread style pizza crust such as Stonefire brand
- 3/4 cup Cranberry sauce
- 1.5-2 cups Cooked turkey, Shredded
- 2- 2.5 cups Sharp White Cheddar, Shredded
- 1.5-2 cups Stuffing, Cooked
- 1 cup Gravy
Instructions
- Preheat oven (or grill!) according to package instructions. Typically this is about 425 degrees F.
- Spread a layer of cranberry sauce on the pizza crust.
- Next, layer and lightly press the shredded turkey on top of the cranberry sauce.
- Add the stuffing on top of the turkey, and again, light press down as you work your way around the pizza.
- Top with shredded cheese (use a heavy hand with the cheese) and bake directly on oven rack or grill for about 8 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
- While the pizza is cooking, heat up the gravy.
- Top the pizza with a generous swirl of gravy. Garnish with parsley. Slice. Serve hot.
1 thought on “Thanksgiving Pizza”
Simply the best. So simple and so great. Either with leftovers or making just for the flatbread. Excellent!!!