Description
This Turkey and Cranberry Pizza is a delicious and creative way to transform your Thanksgiving leftovers into a festive and flavorful meal. Combining tender turkey, tangy cranberry sauce, and a blend of mozzarella and white cheddar cheeses on a crispy pizza crust, it’s perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner with seasonal flair.
Ingredients
Scale
Pizza Base
- 1 ball (about 12 oz) pizza dough
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Toppings
- 1 cup cooked turkey, shredded or chopped
- ½ cup cranberry sauce (whole berry or jellied)
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded white cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ¼ teaspoon dried thyme)
- Optional: 2 tablespoons crumbled goat cheese or feta
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) and place a pizza stone or baking sheet inside to heat up. This ensures the base will cook evenly and become crispy.
- Prepare the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pizza dough into a 12-inch round. Transfer the dough onto a piece of parchment paper to make handling easier and prevent sticking.
- Brush with Olive Oil: Lightly brush the surface of the dough with olive oil to add flavor and help achieve a golden crust.
- Add Cranberry Sauce: Spread the cranberry sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges to form the crust.
- Assemble Toppings: Evenly distribute the shredded turkey, thinly sliced red onions, mozzarella, and white cheddar cheeses over the cranberry base. Sprinkle with thyme leaves. If desired, add crumbled goat cheese or feta for an extra tangy layer.
- Bake the Pizza: Carefully transfer the pizza (on the parchment paper) onto the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven and sprinkle fresh parsley on top to add a bright, fresh note. Slice and serve warm.
Notes
- This recipe is an excellent way to use leftover Thanksgiving turkey and cranberry sauce.
- For a quicker alternative, substitute pizza dough with naan or flatbread.
- Adding a handful of fresh arugula after baking provides a peppery, fresh contrast to the rich toppings.
- To make it vegetarian, substitute turkey with mushrooms or a plant-based protein alternative and omit cheese or use vegan cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 slices
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
