Digiorno’s Thanksgiving Pizza Recipe

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Transitioning from the traditional roasted bird and crowded dinner table laden with countless sides, the thought of encapsulating all that holiday goodness on a single pizza might seem like a tall order. But fear not, for I’ve taken on the delicious challenge of recreating DiGiorno’s Thanksgiving pizza recipe right in your kitchen. This is not just about making a pizza; it’s about infusing each bite with the essence of Thanksgiving, ensuring every slice is a tribute to the time-honored feast that brings us together year after year.

How to make Digiorno’s Thanksgiving Pizza

DiGiorno’s Thanksgiving Pizza is a seasonal pizza offering that combines traditional Thanksgiving flavors. It typically features a base of turkey and gravy, along with toppings like stuffing, cranberries, and mozzarella cheese, all on a classic pizza crust. It’s designed to capture the essence of a Thanksgiving feast in a convenient pizza form, making it a fun and unique option for the holiday.

Ingredients

For the Base:

• Detroit-style pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
• Olive oil

For the Toppings:

• Roasted turkey (finely chopped or shredded)
• Cranberry sauce (smooth type for a sauce-like consistency)
• Sweet potatoes (mashed lightly)
• Green beans (steamed and chopped)
• Gravy (ready-made or homemade)
• Mozzarella cheese (shredded)
• Parmesan cheese (grated)
• Crispy fried onions

Instructions to Make Digiorno’s Thanksgiving Pizza

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

1. Preheat your oven according to the dough recipe’s instructions, typically around 550°F (290°C) or as high as your oven goes.
2. Lightly grease a square baking dish and press the dough into it, pushing it up the sides slightly to hold all the toppings. Let it rest in the dish for 15-20 minutes.

Step 2: Assemble the Pizza

1. Begin with a base layer of mozzarella, which will help hold the toppings.
2. Add small dollops of mashed sweet potatoes evenly across the surface.
3. Distribute the chopped turkey and green beans next.
4. Spoon over some cranberry sauce in a few strategic locations, letting it mix lightly with other ingredients.
5. Liberally pour gravy over the entirety, ensuring even distribution.
6. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese across the top.

Step 3: Baking

1. Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until the crust edges turn golden brown and the cheese bubbles.
2. Halfway through, rotate the pizza to ensure an even bake.

Step 4: Finishing Touches

1. Once baked, remove the pizza from the oven and immediately sprinkle crispy fried onions over the top.
2. Let the pizza sit for 2-3 minutes to settle the toppings before cutting.

Tips for Perfect Thanksgiving Pizza

• Dough Thickness: Detroit-style is traditionally thicker, providing a robust base capable of holding the hearty toppings without becoming soggy.
• Roasting Turkey: Use leftover roasted turkey, or if making it fresh, ensure it’s nicely seasoned and not overcooked to avoid dryness.
• Layering: Be strategic about your layering—keep wetter ingredients like cranberry sauce from directly contacting the dough.
• Gravy Consistency: If your gravy is very thin, reduce it on the stovetop to thicken slightly before adding to prevent a soggy crust.
• Oven Watch: Given the high temperature, keep an eye on the pizza to prevent over-browning or burning, especially since ingredients like cranberries and sweet potatoes can caramelize quickly.

What to serve with

When serving DiGiorno’s Thanksgiving Pizza, a dish that effortlessly melds the comforting warmth of holiday favorites with the universally loved character of pizza, choosing the right sides and accompaniments can elevate your meal from delightful to extraordinary.

1. Appetizers

• Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon: Start with something green and savory. Brussels sprouts, roasted until crispy and tossed with crispy bacon bits, offer a bitter-sweet contrast that readies the palate for the richer main course. Adding bacon echoes the festive spirit while ensuring the appetizer is substantial enough to stand up to the hearty pizza.
• Autumn Salad: A light, seasonal salad can provide a refreshing counterpoint to the pizza’s richness. Mix greens like arugula or spinach with roasted butternut squash, pecans, dried cranberries, and goat cheese. Dress lightly with a maple vinaigrette to tie in the autumnal theme.

2. Side Dishes

• Garlic Parmesan Roasted Carrots: Serve roasted carrots, seasoned with garlic and parmesan, as a side. Their natural sweetness and slight crunch offer a pleasant texture contrast, while the savory seasoning complements the turkey and gravy flavors of the pizza.
• Butternut Squash Soup: A creamy butternut squash soup makes an excellent side dish for a touch of elegance and warmth. Its smooth, velvety texture and sweet, nutty flavor make it a comforting addition that doesn’t overpower the pizza’s complex tastes.

3. Beverages

• Sparkling cider is a non-alcoholic option that both adults and children can enjoy. Its effervescence and apple sweetness cleanse the palate between bites, making each mouthful of pizza as enjoyable as the first.
• Pinot Noir: For those preferring wine, Pinot Noir is an excellent choice. Its light tannins and notes of cherry, raspberry, and clove complement the variety of flavors in Thanksgiving dishes, making it a versatile and crowd-pleasing option.

4. Desserts

• Pumpkin Pie Bites: Instead of a large pie, serve pumpkin pie bites. These small, easy-to-eat versions capture the essence of the season without the commitment of a large dessert. Their creamy filling and spiced crust are the perfect sweet finale to the meal.
• Apple Crisp: For a less traditional but equally seasonal dessert, an apple crisp, warm and topped with vanilla ice cream, can offer a satisfying crunch and sweetness that contrasts nicely with the savory main course.

Ingredients Substitutes

Creating a homemade version of DiGiorno’s Thanksgiving Pizza allows for the personalization of ingredients according to dietary restrictions, preferences, or availability.

Diced Sweet Potatoes

If sweet potatoes are unavailable or you want a lower-carb option, butternut squash or pumpkin can be excellent substitutes. These alternatives provide a similar sweet, hearty flavor and vibrant color to the pizza.

Green Beans

Asparagus or broccoli florets make good substitutes for green beans. They should be cut into small pieces and briefly pre-cooked to ensure they are tender after the pizza is baked.

Creamy Gravy Sauce

For a gravy sauce substitute, a thick béchamel seasoned with poultry seasoning can capture the essence of classic Thanksgiving gravy. For a gluten-free option, use cornstarch or arrowroot powder instead of flour as the thickening agent.

Final Thoughts

This thoughtfully selected combination of dishes and beverages complements DiGiorno’s Thanksgiving Pizza’s unique flavors and brings a comprehensive, celebratory feel to any gathering, making the meal memorable for all who partake.

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• Copycat Milk Street Pizza Dough Recipe
• Homemade Domino’s Viral Pizza Recipe
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• Copycat Mama Cozzi Pizza Dough Recipe