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Thanksgiving is that magical time of year when family and friends gather around a table filled with comforting, delicious food that brings a sense of nostalgia and gratitude. But what if you could enjoy all those classic holiday flavors in a single bite, without the hours of cooking and endless sides to prepare? Enter DiGiorno’s Thanksgiving Pizza—a mouthwatering creation that captures the essence of Thanksgiving in one delicious, cheesy, easy-to-make dish.

Imagine a pizza that combines tender turkey, creamy mozzarella, rich gravy, and sweet-tart cranberry sauce, all layered on a perfectly crisp crust and topped with the savory crunch of stuffing. It’s like your entire Thanksgiving dinner, reimagined and baked to perfection. This pizza isn’t just a unique take on holiday fare; it’s a way to savor the spirit of Thanksgiving without the fuss. Ideal for Friendsgiving gatherings, post-holiday leftovers, or simply bringing the festive feeling of Thanksgiving to your table any time of the year, this recipe is sure to become a favorite tradition of its own.

How to Make Digiorno’s Thanksgiving Pizza

In this post, we’ll take you step-by-step through How to Make Digiorno’s Thanksgiving Pizza right in your kitchen. Along the way, we’ll share tips to customize it, ideas for perfect side dishes and desserts, and even answer common questions about substitutions and variations. So, whether you’re an adventurous foodie or just looking to shake things up this Thanksgiving, get ready to dig into a pizza that’s bursting with all the flavors you love from the holiday season!

Ingredients

To make a homemade version of Digiorno’s Thanksgiving Pizza, you’ll need a mix of classic Thanksgiving ingredients, along with a few standard pizza elements:

Crust

• 1 pre-made pizza dough or 12-inch pizza crust

Sauce

• 1 cup cranberry sauce (or homemade cranberry sauce, for a richer flavor)

Toppings

• 1 cup turkey breast, thinly sliced (or use Thanksgiving leftovers)
• 1 cup stuffing, evenly crumbled
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded (or try a mix with cheddar for extra richness)
• 1/4 cup gravy, lightly drizzled on top
• 1/4 cup green beans, lightly cooked and chopped
• 1/4 cup fried onions (for that comforting crunch)
• Fresh thyme or sage leaves, for garnish (optional)

Optional Ingredients

• Mashed potatoes, small dollops as a topping
• Sweet potato cubes, roasted for added sweetness

Instructions to Make Digiorno’s Thanksgiving Pizza

Instructions to Make Digiorno’s Thanksgiving Pizza

Creating this pizza at home is straightforward, and the result is a delicious medley of flavors that taste like
Thanksgiving dinner on a slice.

1. Prepare Your Oven and Crust

• Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C). If you’re using a pizza stone, place it in
  the oven during preheating to get that perfect, crispy crust.
• Roll out your pizza dough on a floured surface to fit your desired pizza size.
  If using a pre-made crust, place it on a pizza pan or stone.
• If you prefer a homemade crust, try our Food Nanny Pizza Dough for a soft,
  delicious base that complements the Thanksgiving toppings.

2. Spread the Cranberry Sauce

• Instead of traditional pizza sauce, use cranberry sauce as your base. Spread an
  even layer over the
  crust, leaving a small border for the crust.

3. Add the Toppings

• Layer thin slices of turkey evenly across the cranberry base.
• Sprinkle mozzarella cheese generously over the turkey.
• Scatter crumbled stuffing on top, followed by green beans and sweet potato cubes, if
  using.

4. Drizzle with Gravy

• Lightly drizzle gravy over the pizza to add moisture and richness. Be careful not to add
  too much, as it
  can make the crust soggy.

5. Top with Fried Onions

• For an extra crunch and holiday flavor, sprinkle fried onions across the top.

6. Bake the Pizza

• Bake the pizza in your preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted,
  bubbly, and
  slightly golden.

7. Garnish and Serve

• Once baked, remove from the oven and garnish with fresh thyme or sage. Let the pizza cool
  for a few minutes, slice, and serve!

Tips for Perfect Thanksgiving Pizza

• Avoid Overloading the Pizza: Thanksgiving toppings can be heavy, so try to use moderation to prevent a soggy crust.
• Experiment with Cheese Blends: A mix of mozzarella and cheddar adds a creamy, rich texture that pairs well with the Thanksgiving flavors.
• Use Leftovers: This recipe is ideal for Thanksgiving leftovers—turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce can all be repurposed for this pizza.
• For a reliable and easy homemade dough, check out our Pizza Dough with Active Dry Yeast. It’s a great option if you want to skip store-bought crusts.

What to Serve With Digiorno’s Thanksgiving Pizza

While this pizza already combines many Thanksgiving flavors, pairing it with complementary sides, desserts, and drinks can make the meal feel complete.

Sides

• Mixed Green Salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the richness of the pizza.
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts with balsamic glaze, for a slightly sweet and tangy side.
• Butternut Squash Soup: A warm, cozy starter that complements the Thanksgiving theme.
• Another delicious option is Gouda Mac and Cheese, with its creamy, tangy taste that pairs excellently with the turkey and stuffing toppings.
• For a kid-friendly side, our Hot Dog Wrapped in Dough is a fun, crowd-pleasing addition to the table.

Desserts

• Pumpkin Pie or Apple Crisp for a classic, seasonal dessert.
• Pecan Bars: These are easy to make and add a sweet, nutty finish to the meal.
• Cranberry Cheesecake Bars: The tartness of cranberries balances the meal.

Drinks

• Sparkling Apple Cider or Spiced Cranberry Punch for festive, non-alcoholic options.
• Chardonnay or Pinot Noir as wine pairings, both of which complement the flavors in the pizza.
• Spiked Hot Cider or a Pumpkin Spice Latte for a warm, comforting drink option.

Variations

Customizing your Thanksgiving pizza allows you to tailor it to your taste or make it unique every time. Here are some fun variations to try:

• Vegan Thanksgiving Pizza: Replace turkey with roasted vegetables (like roasted squash or mushrooms), use a vegan cheese, and opt for vegan stuffing and gravy.
• BBQ Thanksgiving Pizza: Substitute cranberry sauce with a tangy BBQ sauce, and add crispy bacon for a smoky twist.
• Thanksgiving Pizza Calzone: For a twist, fold the pizza dough over the filling and bake to create a Thanksgiving calzone.
• For a more artisanal touch, consider using our Wood-Fired Pizza Dough Recipe. The smoky, crisp crust will add a new dimension to your Thanksgiving pizza.

Recipe Tested & Notes

I tested this Thanksgiving pizza several times to get the right balance between a crisp pizza crust, creamy mashed potatoes, savory turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and melted cheese. Since Thanksgiving leftovers can vary in moisture, the biggest challenge was preventing the pizza from becoming soggy.

I found that using a relatively thin layer of mashed potatoes worked best. While it is tempting to add a generous amount, too much mashed potato can make the crust heavy and soft.

The same is true for stuffing. I preferred breaking the stuffing into small pieces rather than adding large chunks. Smaller pieces spread more evenly across the pizza and become lightly crisp around the edges.

Turkey worked best when shredded or chopped into small pieces. Larger pieces made the pizza harder to slice and created uneven bites.

One of the biggest testing lessons was to use cranberry sauce sparingly. A few small spoonfuls were enough to add the sweet and tangy flavor without making the pizza overly sweet.

I also found that mozzarella was a good base cheese because it melts smoothly and allows the Thanksgiving flavors to stand out. A small amount of cheddar or Parmesan can be added for extra flavor.

The crust needs to be baked hot enough to become crisp underneath while allowing the toppings to heat through. Preheating the oven properly made a noticeable difference.

For the best result, I also avoided adding too many toppings at once. Thanksgiving leftovers are already fairly rich, so a balanced layer of each ingredient produced a much better pizza.

The final version had a crispy crust, creamy mashed potato layer, savory turkey and stuffing, melted cheese, and little bursts of sweet cranberry sauce.

Mistakes I Made

Testing this Thanksgiving pizza helped me identify several mistakes that can affect the texture.

Using too much mashed potato

A thick layer made the pizza heavy and prevented the crust from becoming properly crisp.

Adding wet cranberry sauce

Too much cranberry sauce introduced excess moisture and made some areas of the pizza soggy.

Using large pieces of turkey

Large chunks made the toppings uneven and made the pizza harder to slice.

Adding too much stuffing

A thick layer of stuffing overwhelmed the other flavors and made the pizza difficult to eat.

Skipping oven preheating

Starting with an oven that was not fully heated resulted in a softer crust.

Overloading the pizza

It is easy to keep adding Thanksgiving leftovers, but too many toppings prevent proper browning and make the pizza soggy.

Using cold, dense mashed potatoes

Very cold mashed potatoes were difficult to spread evenly. Letting them soften slightly made spreading much easier.

Adding cranberry sauce everywhere

Small dollops worked much better than spreading cranberry sauce across the entire pizza.

Personal Cooking Tips Learned From Testing

These tips consistently gave me the best results:

• Use a thin layer of mashed potatoes.
• Let refrigerated mashed potatoes soften slightly before spreading.
• Use shredded or finely chopped turkey.
• Break stuffing into small pieces.
• Use cranberry sauce in small dollops.
• Avoid adding excessive gravy directly to the pizza.
• Use a good melting cheese such as mozzarella.
• Add a little cheddar for extra flavor if desired.
• Preheat the oven completely before baking.
• Do not overload the crust.
• Leave a small border around the edge of the pizza.
• Use parchment paper or a lightly greased baking surface if needed.
• Bake until the cheese is melted and the crust is golden.
• Let the pizza rest for a few minutes before slicing.
• Add fresh herbs after baking for a brighter flavor.
• Serve cranberry sauce or gravy on the side rather than adding too much before baking.

Why I Prefer This Version

I prefer this Thanksgiving pizza because it turns familiar holiday leftovers into something completely different.

Instead of reheating the same plate of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce, you get a crispy pizza with all those flavors combined in one bite.

The combination may sound unusual at first, but it works surprisingly well. The savory turkey and stuffing pair beautifully with creamy mashed potatoes, melted cheese, and the sweet-tart cranberry sauce.

I especially like using cranberry sauce in small amounts. It acts almost like a sweet finishing sauce and adds just enough acidity to balance the richer ingredients.

Another reason I prefer this version is that it is flexible. You do not need to have every Thanksgiving leftover available. You can use turkey with mashed potatoes and cheese, or add stuffing if you have it.

It is also a fun recipe for the days after Thanksgiving when everyone is looking for creative ways to use leftovers.

For me, the best part is the contrast between the crisp crust and the soft, creamy Thanksgiving toppings.

Storage Notes Based on Actual Testing

Thanksgiving pizza is best when freshly baked, but leftovers can be stored and reheated successfully.

Refrigerator

Allow leftover pizza to cool before storing it.

Place slices in an airtight container or wrap them tightly before refrigerating.

For the best quality, enjoy refrigerated leftovers within a few days.

Because mashed potatoes and stuffing contain moisture, the crust will soften during refrigeration.

Reheating

The oven or toaster oven produced the best reheated texture.

Place the pizza on a baking sheet or directly on a suitable oven rack and heat until the toppings are hot and the crust becomes crisp again.

An air fryer also works very well for individual slices.

The microwave is convenient but tends to make the crust softer.

Freezing

The pizza can technically be frozen, but I prefer freezing the components separately when possible.

Freezing fully assembled pizza can change the texture of the mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce after thawing.

If you do freeze slices, wrap them individually and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag.

Reheat from thawed or frozen using an oven or air fryer for better crust texture.

Make-Ahead Preparation

You can prepare the toppings ahead of time, especially if you are working with Thanksgiving leftovers.

Keep the turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and cheese refrigerated separately.

Assemble the pizza shortly before baking for the best crust.

Equipment Used

These tools make this Thanksgiving pizza easy to prepare:

• Baking sheet or pizza pan
• Oven
• Parchment paper
• Pizza cutter
• Spatula
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Mixing bowl
• Chef’s knife
• Cutting board
• Cheese grater
• Spoon
• Air fryer, optional
• Toaster oven, optional
• Wire cooling rack, optional

FAQ while making Thanksgiving Pizza at home

Can I make this pizza gluten-free?

Absolutely! Use a gluten-free pizza crust and ensure that all toppings, like stuffing and gravy, are also gluten-free.

Can I make the pizza in advance?

You can prep the pizza in advance by layering the toppings on the crust, then refrigerating it until ready to bake. Bake it fresh to ensure a crispy crust.

What if I don’t have cranberry sauce?

If you’re out of cranberry sauce, try substituting with a light layer of fig jam or even a drizzle of balsamic glaze for a sweet-tart flavor.

How can I prevent my crust from becoming soggy?

Use a minimal amount of sauce and gravy, and pre-bake your crust for a few minutes if it’s particularly thick.

Substitutes

If you’re missing any ingredients or prefer alternatives, here are some easy substitutes:

• Turkey: Rotisserie chicken or even thinly sliced roast beef can work in a pinch.
• Stuffing: Use crumbled cornbread or seasoned breadcrumbs for similar texture and flavor.
• Cranberry Sauce: Fig jam, pomegranate seeds, or apple chutney can add that sweet-tart element.
• Mozzarella: Cheddar, Gruyere, or Monterey Jack all work well and can add a richer, bolder flavor.

Nutrition

While nutrition varies based on portions, here’s an approximate breakdown per slice (assuming 8 slices):

• Calories: 300-350
• Protein: 15g
• Fat: 12g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugars: 5g
• Sodium: 600mg

Note: Nutritional values are estimates based on typical Thanksgiving ingredients and may vary with substitutions.

With this guide, you can now create a delicious Digiorno-inspired Thanksgiving pizza at home. Whether using leftovers or creating it from scratch, this pizza will bring a unique twist to your holiday (or everyday) table!