Thanksgiving Leftover Pizza with Turkey, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes & Cranberry Sauce

Thanksgiving Leftover Pizza with Turkey, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes & Cranberry Sauce

There comes a point after Thanksgiving when another plate of reheated turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing just doesn’t sound exciting anymore. Fortunately, those same leftovers can become something completely different. Thanksgiving Leftover Pizza brings all the best parts of the holiday dinner together on a golden, crispy pizza crust, with tender roasted turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, savory stuffing, melted cheddar cheese, and a finishing drizzle of turkey gravy.

The combination might sound unusual, but it works surprisingly well. Mashed potatoes take the place of traditional pizza sauce, creating a rich, creamy foundation for the turkey and cheese. A little garlic and Peppers of Key West Habanero Hot Sauce give the potato layer a savory, peppery kick, while stuffing adds familiar Thanksgiving herbs and seasoning. The finishing touch is our Not Your Grandma’s Cranberry Sauce, which brings sweetness and tartness to balance all those savory ingredients.

Best of all, this recipe makes practical use of the food that’s already waiting in your refrigerator. Refrigerated pizza dough keeps preparation simple, and because the turkey, potatoes, and stuffing are already cooked, assembly takes only a few minutes. It’s a fun dinner for the weekend after Thanksgiving, an easy meal for visiting family, or a creative way to turn holiday leftovers into something everyone will want another slice of.

Ingredients

For the Thanksgiving Pizza

• 1 tube (13.8 ounces) refrigerated pizza crust dough
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 cup leftover mashed potatoes
• ¼ cup milk, or as needed to loosen the potatoes
• 2 teaspoons Peppers of Key West Habanero Hot Sauce
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 2 cups chopped or shredded cooked Thanksgiving turkey
• ½ cup Not Your Grandma’s Cranberry Sauce
• ¾ cup prepared leftover stuffing
• ¼–½ cup prepared turkey gravy, warmed, for drizzling

Optional Finishing Touches

• Chopped fresh parsley
• Freshly cracked black pepper
• Thinly sliced green onions
• Additional warm turkey gravy
• A little extra cranberry sauce for serving

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven. Heat your oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a large baking sheet or pizza pan.
2. Prepare the pizza crust. Unroll the refrigerated pizza dough and press it into a rectangle on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for approximately 8 minutes, or until the crust is just beginning to turn lightly golden. Remove it from the oven and set aside.
3. Prepare the garlic mashed potato spread. Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic and cook for approximately 30–60 seconds, stirring frequently, until fragrant. Do not allow the garlic to brown.
4. Make the potato base. Add the leftover mashed potatoes and milk to the skillet. Stir gently until the potatoes are warmed and smooth enough to spread. Mix in ½ cup of the shredded cheddar cheese and 2 teaspoons of Peppers of Key West Habanero Hot Sauce. If the potatoes are particularly thick, add another splash of milk until they reach a spreadable consistency.
5. Spread the mashed potatoes. Spoon the warm garlic mashed potatoes over the partially baked pizza crust, spreading them evenly and leaving a small border around the edges.
6. Add the Thanksgiving toppings. Distribute the cooked turkey evenly over the mashed potato layer. Spoon small amounts of cranberry sauce across the pizza, then scatter the prepared stuffing over the top. Finish with the remaining ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese.
7. Bake the pizza. Return the pizza to the oven and bake for approximately 10–12 minutes, or until the crust is golden, the cheese is melted, and the toppings are thoroughly heated. Check that the center reaches 165°F before serving.
8. Finish with turkey gravy. Remove the pizza from the oven and let it rest for 2–3 minutes. Drizzle lightly with warm turkey gravy, then garnish with fresh parsley or green onions if desired.
9. Slice and serve. Cut into squares or traditional pizza slices. Serve immediately, with additional cranberry sauce or warm gravy on the side.

Why Thanksgiving Leftovers Make Such a Good Pizza

The secret to this recipe is using familiar Thanksgiving flavors in a different format. Mashed potatoes create a creamy base that holds the toppings together, while cheddar cheese adds a savory richness that complements the turkey. The stuffing contributes herbs, seasoning, and texture, making each bite taste a little like Thanksgiving dinner.

Cranberry sauce is especially important because it prevents the pizza from becoming too heavy. Its tart, fruity flavor cuts through the potatoes, cheese, and gravy, while the gentle heat in our homemade version gives the pizza a little personality. Instead of covering the entire pizza with cranberry sauce, distributing small spoonfuls across the toppings creates a more balanced combination of flavors.

The final drizzle of gravy ties everything together. Just use enough to add moisture and familiar roasted-turkey flavor without soaking the crust. Serve extra gravy at the table for anyone who wants a little more.

Tips, Variations & Make-Ahead Preparation

Start with a partially baked crust. Thanksgiving toppings contain more moisture than traditional pizza toppings, especially mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and gravy. Baking the dough briefly before adding the toppings helps create a firmer foundation and reduces the chance of a soggy center. A sturdy refrigerated pizza crust works well, although homemade pizza dough can also be used if you adjust the baking time to suit the dough.

Keep the mashed potatoes thick enough to spread. Leftover mashed potatoes can become stiff after refrigeration, so warming them with a little milk and butter makes them easier to work with. The goal is a smooth, spreadable layer rather than a loose potato mixture. Add milk gradually, especially if your original mashed potatoes already contain plenty of cream or butter.

Use cranberry sauce thoughtfully. The original version of this recipe used a commercial cranberry relish, but our homemade Not Your Grandma’s Cranberry Sauce makes a flavorful replacement. Because cranberry sauce can be quite moist, spoon it over the pizza in small portions rather than spreading it in one thick layer. If your sauce is particularly loose, use a little less on the pizza and serve the remainder on the side.

Make the stuffing work for the crust. Moist stuffing should be broken into small pieces and distributed evenly so it heats through without creating heavy, wet patches. If your leftover stuffing is especially soft, you can warm it briefly in a skillet before adding it to the pizza. Stuffing with herbs, onions, celery, or sausage will each give the finished pizza a slightly different character.

Experiment with the cheese. Cheddar is a natural choice because its sharp flavor works well with turkey and mashed potatoes. For a stretchier, more traditional pizza texture, replace part of the cheddar with shredded mozzarella. Gruyère or Monterey Jack can also work, depending on the flavor of your Thanksgiving leftovers.

Store and reheat leftovers safely. Cooked turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy should generally be refrigerated within two hours and used within three to four days. Assembling them into pizza doesn’t restart their storage clock. Reheat the finished pizza to 165°F, and freeze portions promptly if you want to save them for later.

Serving Thanksgiving Leftover Pizza

Thanksgiving leftover pizza is hearty enough to serve as a complete meal, but a simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette makes a nice contrast to the rich toppings. It’s also a fun addition to a casual family lunch or a post-holiday gathering when everyone is ready for something different.

Cutting the pizza into smaller squares makes it easy to share as an appetizer, while larger slices work well for dinner. Keep a little extra cranberry sauce and warmed turkey gravy nearby so everyone can customize their serving.

For more ways to plan your holiday menu and make the most of the ingredients afterward, explore our Ultimate Thanksgiving Food Guide: Turkey, Side Dishes, Recipes & Holiday Planning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use leftover Thanksgiving turkey on pizza?
Absolutely. Cooked turkey works very well as a pizza topping, especially when combined with mashed potatoes, stuffing, cheese, and cranberry sauce. Chop or shred it into small pieces so it heats evenly.

Can I use homemade pizza dough instead of refrigerated dough?
Yes. Homemade pizza dough works well, but you may need to adjust the baking time depending on its thickness. Partially baking the crust before adding the toppings helps prevent sogginess.

What can I substitute for cranberry relish on Thanksgiving pizza?
Homemade cranberry sauce is an excellent substitute. Our Not Your Grandma’s Cranberry Sauce adds a sweet, tart, slightly spicy flavor that balances the savory turkey, stuffing, and cheese.

Should I put gravy on Thanksgiving pizza before or after baking?
For the best texture, drizzle warm gravy over the pizza after baking. This adds flavor without soaking the crust during cooking.

Can I use sweet potatoes instead of mashed potatoes?
Yes. Leftover mashed sweet potatoes can make an interesting variation, especially with turkey and cranberry sauce. Because sweet potatoes are naturally sweeter, you may want to use a little less cranberry sauce.

How do I keep Thanksgiving leftover pizza from getting soggy?
Partially bake the crust, keep the mashed potato layer thick rather than watery, and distribute cranberry sauce in small spoonfuls. Add the gravy after baking rather than before.

Can I freeze Thanksgiving leftover pizza?
Yes, provided the original leftovers were handled and stored safely. Freeze the pizza promptly in individual portions, tightly wrapped or in airtight containers. Reheat until the center reaches 165°F.