Thanksgiving Pizza (Best Leftovers Pie)
Fridge packed after the holiday? This Thanksgiving pizza turns leftovers into dinner fast. Gravy becomes the sauce. Mashed potatoes add creamy pockets. Turkey brings protein. Stuffing gives savory crunch. A light layer of cheese binds the toppings. A tart cranberry drizzle brightens each bite. Crispy fried onions add snap.
You can keep it simple. Use store-bought dough for a 25 minute bake. Or try a Detroit style pan for caramelized edges. Both paths work with whatever is in your fridge. Clear cues help the crust stay crisp. Small pieces heat through without drying out.
Want an easy side? Browse our Thanksgiving Sides. Then pair a slice with a quick salad or roasted veggies. Next, we will show the easy method. After that, you will find a copycat Detroit option. We finish with make ahead tips, storage, and reheating.
Quick Answers
What is on a Thanksgiving pizza?
Start with gravy as the sauce. Add mashed potatoes in small dollops. Top with shredded turkey and crumbled stuffing. Sprinkle mozzarella and a little sharp cheddar. Bake until the cheese melts and the edges crisp. Finish with cranberry sauce and crispy fried onions. Optional: green beans, Brussels sprouts, or sweet potatoes.
Is DiGiorno Thanksgiving pizza a real thing?
Yes, it is a seasonal frozen pizza. It uses a Detroit-style crust. Toppings include roasted turkey, gravy, green beans, and cheeses. Dried cranberries and crispy onions add contrast. Availability changes by year and region. Check the brand locator or large grocers.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It turns leftovers into dinner in 25 minutes.
- The flavors hit balance: savory gravy, creamy mash, sweet-tart cranberry.
- Texture shines: crisp edges, soft center, and crunchy onions.
- It is flexible. Use dough, puff pastry, or a stuffing crust.
- You can swap toppings to fit your fridge.
- It scales easily for a crowd with a sheet pan.
- Pair it with a light side like Healthy Salad Bowls or Refreshing Cucumber Tomato Salad.
- Kids love it. Budgets do too.
- This Thanksgiving pizza freezes and reheats well.
Ingredient Notes & Smart Swaps
Measured amounts live in the Recipe Card below. Use these notes to match what’s in your fridge and keep the crust crisp.
Thanksgiving Pizza Base Options
- Classic dough: Fast and familiar. Lightly oil the pan with olive oil. See our overview on oils in EVOO Food.
- Puff pastry: Bakes into a quick tart. Dock it so steam escapes.
- Detroit-style: Use a metal 10×14 pan. Push cheese to the edges for caramelized corners.
Sauce choices
- Gravy: Thin with a little unsalted broth so it spreads in a thin coat.
- White sauce: Butter, flour, milk, salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning. Good when you are low on gravy.
- Sodium tip: Taste before salting. Processed leftovers can run salty. For general guidance, see FDA nutrition advice on sodium (link to authority source).
Cheese blends
- Base: Low-moisture mozzarella for melt and bind.
- Boost: Sharp cheddar for bite. Parmesan on top for browning.
- Avoid: Very wet fresh mozzarella. It can make the crust soggy.
Toppings That Work for Thanksgiving Pizza
- Core: Shredded turkey, small dollops of mashed potatoes, and crumbled stuffing.
- Veg add-ins: Green beans, Brussels sprouts, roasted sweet potatoes, or bits from Roasted Veggie Grain Bowl. Cut pieces small so heat moves through.
- Finishers: Cranberry sauce drizzle and crispy fried onions for texture and contrast.
Lighter and Food safety tweaks
- Food safety: Reheat slices to 165°F. For leftovers timing, see USDA FoodSafety guidance (link to authority source).
- Lighter: Use part-skim mozzarella. Go easy on gravy. Add extra veg.
Leftover Thanksgiving Pizza (Easy Method)
Turn your leftovers into dinner in about 25 minutes. Use store-bought dough for a classic round. Or use a sheet of puff pastry for a quick tart. If you have extra sides, add small spoonfuls of mashed sweet potatoes. For ideas, see Sweet Potato Casserole with Frozen OJ & Pecans and Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes.
25-Minute Easy Method (Premade Dough or Puff Pastry)
- Heat the oven: Set a steel or upside-down sheet pan on the middle rack. Preheat to 500°F for 30 minutes.
- Prep the base: Lightly oil the pan. Stretch 1 pound pizza dough to a 12 to 14 inch round. For puff pastry, line a sheet pan with parchment. Dock the pastry with a fork.
- Sauce layer: Spread ½ to ¾ cup turkey gravy in a thin coat. Thin layers keep the crust crisp.
- Top it: Add 1½ cups shredded turkey. Dot with 1 cup mashed potatoes. Sprinkle 1 cup crumbled stuffing.
- Cheese: Add 1½ cups low-moisture mozzarella plus ¼ cup sharp cheddar.
- Bake: Bake 12 to 15 minutes at 500°F until cheese bubbles and edges brown. For puff pastry, bake at 400°F for about 20 minutes.
- Finish: Rest 5 minutes. Drizzle ¼ to ⅓ cup cranberry sauce. Scatter ½ cup crispy fried onions. Slice and serve.
Toppings: Turkey, Mash, Stuffing, Gravy, Cranberry
Keep pieces small for balance. Spread them evenly. Add green beans or diced Brussels sprouts if you have them. A little sharp cheddar adds bite. Mozzarella helps slices hold together.
Option: Stuffing Crust or Crumbled Topping
Mix 3 cups stuffing with 1 beaten egg and 2 to 3 tablespoons broth. Press into a greased pan. Par-bake 10 minutes at 400°F. Add gravy, turkey, and cheese. Bake until the edges are crisp. Prefer no crust? Skip it and finish with extra crumbled stuffing on top for texture.
Where to Buy DiGiorno Thanksgiving Pizza (+ Near Me)
This pie is seasonal. Stock changes by year and region. Start with the brand’s product locator. Enter your ZIP code. Check several nearby stores.
Look in large chains first. Try Kroger family stores and Walmart. Search both delivery and pickup. Stores sometimes list limited items online before they hit shelves.
At the freezer aisle, scan end caps and seasonal displays. Ask the frozen foods desk to check inventory. Give them the exact product name and size.
If it is sold out, set an alert in your grocery app. Check early mornings. Shipments often arrive overnight.
Prefer a sure thing? Make the copycat at home using the Detroit-style method above. Then round out the meal with easy sides from our Thanksgiving Sides guide.
Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating (Oven or Air Fryer)
- Make-ahead. Assemble up to 24 hours in advance. Cover tightly. Add cranberry and fried onions after baking.
- Fridge. Store slices in an airtight box for 3 to 4 days. Count from the original cook date of the leftovers, not the pizza bake. When in doubt, use or freeze within 3 to 4 days. See USDA guidance for leftovers.
- Freeze. Wrap slices in foil, then bag. Freeze for up to 2 months for best quality. Label with the date.
- Reheat in oven. Place slices on a sheet pan. Bake at 400°F for 8 to 10 minutes. Edges should crisp. Centers should steam.
- Reheat in air fryer. Heat at 350°F for 3 to 5 minutes. Check early to prevent drying.
- Skillet option. Warm a nonstick pan over medium-low. Add a slice. Cover for 4 to 6 minutes so heat moves through.
- Food safety. Reheat to 165°F at the center. Use a food thermometer. Review safe temps and times with USDA Food Safety.
What to Serve with Thanksgiving Pizza
Fresh sides
Keep sides light and crisp. Start with our Healthy Salad Bowls pillar. A simple Refreshing Cucumber Tomato Salad also works well. Both cut through the rich toppings.
Dressings that brighten
Use a sharp vinaigrette or a creamy yogurt base. Try White Balsamic Vinaigrette for acidity. Or spoon Greek Yogurt Dressing over greens.
Warm veggies
Roast a quick tray of vegetables. The heat wakes up flavor. For inspiration, see the Roasted Veggie Grain Bowl and borrow its veg mix.
Dips for the crusts
Offer small bowls for dipping. Warm gravy is classic. For variety, add Tahini Sauce or Roasted Red Pepper Sauce. They pair nicely with savory slices.
Nutrition
Estimated per slice
SERVING: 180 g | CALORIES: 480 kcal | CARBOHYDRATES: 46 g | PROTEIN: 26 g | FAT: 22 g | SATURATED FAT: 9 g | CHOLESTEROL: 65 mg | SODIUM: 980 mg | POTASSIUM: 380 mg | FIBER: 3 g | SUGAR: 5 g | VITAMIN A: 180 IU | VITAMIN C: 3 mg | CALCIUM: 220 mg | IRON: 2.6 mg
How we estimate
Values are calculated from typical leftovers and standard cheeses. Numbers change with crust size, gravy salt, and toppings. Use a nutrition calculator if you need exact data for your ingredients.
Make it lighter
- Use part-skim mozzarella. Keep cheddar to a small sprinkle.
- Swap some mashed potatoes with roasted vegetables.
- Go easy on gravy. Thin it slightly with unsalted broth.
- Brush pans with a light coat of oil. For background on oils, see EVOO Food.
Mind the sodium
Leftovers and cheeses raise salt fast. Choose low sodium gravy where possible. Taste before adding extra salt. Review general guidance on sodium and daily values at FDA resources.
Food safety note
Handle and reheat leftovers safely. Keep cold foods below 40°F and hot foods at or above 140°F. Reheat slices to 165°F at the center. See USDA Food Safety tips for leftovers.
FAQ
Who makes the Thanksgiving pizza?
The best known frozen version is made by a national brand. Some local shops offer seasonal specials too. Menus change by city and year. If you cannot find it, make the copycat at home. The Detroit-style method above gives crisp edges and a soft center. It uses common leftovers and pantry items.
What is on the DiGiorno Thanksgiving pizza?
It uses a Detroit-style crust. The sauce is gravy. Toppings include roasted turkey, green beans, dried cranberries, and cheese. Crispy fried onions go on after baking. The goal is balance: savory, creamy, and sweet. You can mirror that balance with the copycat steps in this guide.
Where can I buy the DiGiorno Thanksgiving pizza near me?
Start with the brand’s product locator. Enter your ZIP code. Then check large chains like Kroger family stores and Walmart. Look online for pickup or delivery. Stock is seasonal and limited. If it is sold out, use the copycat method and bake at home.
Can I use a white sauce instead of gravy?
Yes. Make a quick white sauce with butter, flour, and milk. Season with salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning. Keep it thin enough to spread but not runny. It tastes lighter than gravy. It also lets cranberry sauce shine at the finish.
What is the best cheese for Thanksgiving pizza?
Use low-moisture mozzarella as the base. Add a small amount of sharp cheddar for bite. Sprinkle Parmesan on top for browning. Avoid very wet fresh mozzarella. It can make the crust soggy with gravy and mash. Shred cheese yourself for better melt.
How do I keep the crust from getting soggy?
Preheat a steel or an inverted sheet pan. Spread a thin gravy layer. Cut toppings small. Bake hot and fast. Rest the pizza for five minutes before slicing. These steps keep the bottom crisp and the crumb light.
Can I make a vegetarian version?
Yes. Skip the turkey and use roasted vegetables. Try squash, mushrooms, and Brussels sprouts. Use our Roasted Veggie Grain Bowl for ideas. Choose vegetable gravy or a white sauce. Finish with cranberry and fried onions for texture.
Leftover Thanksgiving Pizza
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Set a steel or upside-down sheet pan on the middle rack. Preheat oven to 500°F for 30 minutes.
- Lightly oil the pan. Stretch pizza dough to a 12–14 inch round or prepare puff pastry on parchment-lined sheet. Dock pastry with a fork.
- Spread ½ cup gravy thinly over the base to keep the crust crisp.
- Add shredded turkey, mashed potatoes in dollops, and crumbled stuffing evenly across the surface.
- Sprinkle mozzarella and cheddar cheese evenly on top.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes at 500°F (or 20 minutes at 400°F for puff pastry), until edges are golden and cheese bubbles.
- Let pizza rest 5 minutes. Drizzle with cranberry sauce and scatter crispy fried onions. Slice and serve.
Notes
Conclusion
This Thanksgiving pizza gives you dinner fast. The flavors feel familiar. The method is simple. The crust stays crisp. The toppings stay juicy. You can tweak it to match what is in your fridge.
Print the recipe. Bake it tonight. Then tell us how it went in the comments. Leave a star rating so others can find it. Want easy sides to round out the meal? See Thanksgiving Sides, Healthy Salad Bowls, or Refreshing Cucumber Tomato Salad.
