Tired of the turkey sandwich? Make a Thanksgiving leftovers calzone instead: Video

Cody Godwin, USA TODAY
·2-min read

Have you ever wondered if you can turn Thanksgiving food into a pizza? The answer is yes, you can. Or at least, you can make it into its folded relative: the calzone.

Traditionally, calzones are stuffed with cheese and various fillings. For a Thanksgiving calzone, you may opt for stuffing instead of sausage or green beans instead of green bell peppers, either way, these stuffed dough pockets are great for finishing up your Thanksgiving leftovers. Plus, this can be a fun activity for your kids to get in the kitchen and come up with creative flavor combinations.

Watch this video to see how to make a Thanksgiving calzone.

What to make with turkey leftovers

A classic post-Thanksgiving meal made from leftovers is the turkey sandwich. But let’s put an Italian twist on that classic and make Thanksgiving leftover calzones instead.

Start by preheating your oven to 450ºF.

You can make the calzones with store-bought pizza dough or opt for homemade. Section the dough into smaller pieces and roll them out into 8-9-inch circles. Once it’s rolled out, start piling on the ingredients. You can create any combination you prefer. Remember, the dough will be folded over to seal it, so don't overstuff it.

If you need some Thanksgiving calzone inspiration, consider adding:

  • Stuffing, diced turkey and gravy.

  • Stuffing, diced turkey and green bean casserole.

  • Stuffing, diced turkey and mac and cheese.

Once filled, fold the calzone and crimp the edges together.

Brush olive oil on a baking sheet before placing the calzones on it. Brush the tops of the calzones with olive oil and make two little slits in the top so the calzone can ventilate while cooking. Bake for about 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Serve them with warm gravy, cranberry sauce and/or mashed potatoes.

When should leftovers be used?

The US Department of Agriculture recommends leftover turkey and foods made with the turkey are consumed within three to four days.

The agency also advises leftovers should be stored in sealed containers or wrapped in airtight packaging.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How to use Thanksgiving leftovers to make a calzone