Monte Cristo Pizza

Monte cristo pizza sliced into slices and set at angles, slightly overlapping.

I’m turning a sandwich favorite into the most delicious pizza. Monte Cristo pizza features Rhodes bread dough, turkey, ham, raspberry preserves and swiss cheese. You’ll never go back to the sandwich version again.

This post is sponsored by Rhodes Bake-N-Serv. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. For more information, please read my disclosure policy.

It’s super bowl season and I have all the fun, unique football food on my mind. At the top of my list for football watching is always pizza. But also sandwiches.

So instead of having to pick, I combined them to make the most delicious Monte Cristo Pizza. There’s salty ham and turkey, sweet raspberry jam and sharp melty cheese. It combines all the right notes to make a pizza that is super easy to devour.

Slices of monte cristo pizza piled on each other.

Ingredients for Monte Cristo Pizza

The ingredient list is pretty small for this pizza. Don’t you love recipes like this?! They pack in the flavor with simple, delicious ingredients. Here’s what you are going to need:

  • Rhodes white bread dough: Head to the freezer section and grab a package or Rhodes bread dough. They come in packs of 3 or 5. You can also use the wheat bread dough if you desire. You are going to love the yeasty flavor this bread dough has. It makes the best pizza crust.
  • Whipped cream cheese: Instead of a traditional pizza sauce, we’re making a simple, unique sauce that is perfect with the other ingredients.
  • Raspberry preserves: It’s not a monte cristo without the raspberry jam or preserves.
  • Shredded swiss cheese: Melts so nicely and rounds out the flavors of a monte cristo.
  • Shredded mozzarella cheese: Every pizza needs some melty mozz for that perfect cheese pull.
  • Diced ham
  • Diced turkey
Four slices of monte cristo pizza stacked on each other.

Thaw the Dough

Start by thawing the bread dough. I’m using a Rhodes white bread loaf for this recipe. It’s a great way to make a pizza without having to make homemade dough.

It’s full of flavor, unbelievably fluffy and perfect every time.

One loaf of Rhodes bread dough on a parchment lined baking sheet.

Place the bread dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spray a piece of plastic wrap with nonstick spray then cover the dough lightly.

You have two options for thawing. First, you can place the baking sheet with the prepped dough in the refrigerator to thaw overnight.

The other option is to leave it in a warm place and allow it to rise. Depending on how warm your house is, this can take from 1 to 4 hours.

If you need the dough to rise a little faster, preheat your oven to 100 degrees then place the prepped dough in the oven to rise. You’ll want the dough to look like this.

One risen loaf of Rhodes bread dough on a parchment lined baking sheet.

Prep the Pizza Crust

Once the dough is risen, press it into a 9×15-inch rectangle on the parchment that your rose it on.

Prick the dough all over with a fork. This will keep it from rising too much.

Bread dough pressed out into a rectangle and pricked all over with a fork.

We’re going to parbake the crust. That means, cook it a bit before actually topping it. This ensures the dough cooks all the way through and forms the perfect chewy texture.

Dough baked.

Top and Bake Monte Cristo Pizza

While the crust is baking, mix up the “sauce” for the pizza. Whisk together the whipped cream cheese and raspberry preserves. This will give the pizza a slight sweetness that is prevalent in a monte cristo sandwich.

Spread the cream cheese mixture over the crust. Sprinkle with diced ham and turkey then the shredded swiss and mozzarella cheeses.

Parbaked bread dough topped with toppings.

Bake until golden brown. Slice into desired amount of pieces and give it a little drizzle with more raspberry preserves.

Monte Cristo Pizza baked on a parchment lined baking sheet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best way to reheat? Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Place the pizza on a baking sheet and cook for 7 to 10 minutes, until hot and bubbly.

I don’t have any Rhodes loaves, can I use the rolls instead? You definitely can. Rise 9 rolls according to the package directions. Press them together then roll out into a 9×15-inch rectangle. Proceed with the recipe as written.

Can I use a different flavor jam/preserve? Yes. You can sub the raspberry for strawberry, blackberry or even grape if you desire.

Close up of slice of monte cristo pizza.

More Rhodes Favorites

Straight shot down of sliced monte cristo pizza with space between each slice.

This post is sponsored by Rhodes Bake-n-Serv. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Monte cristo pizza sliced into slices and set at angles, slightly overlapping.
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5 from 1 vote

Monte Cristo Pizza

Let's turn a sandwich favorite into the most delicious pizza. Monte Cristo Pizza features Rhodes bread dough, turkey, ham, raspberry preserves and swiss cheese.
Prep Time4 hours
Active Time25 minutes
Total Time4 hours 25 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: monte cristo pizza
Yield: 4 servings
Author: Meghan Payne-Hensley

Ingredients

  • 1 loaf Rhodes white bread
  • 1/2 cup whipped cream cheese
  • 2 Tablespoons raspberry preserves + more for drizzling
  • 1/2 cup cubed ham
  • 1/2 cup cubed turkey
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded swiss cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place loaf of dough on parchment and rise according to package directions.
  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Press out or roll dough into a 9×15-inch rectangle. Prick the dough all over with a fork. Bake for 8 minutes.
  • While the pizza is baking, mix together the whipped cream cheese and raspberry preserves. Spread over the baked crust. Top evenly with the diced ham and turkey. Sprinkle with cheeses. Bake for 15 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before slicing. Drizzle with raspberry preserves.

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2 comments

  1. Made this for dinner tonight – delicious!! Will be making again for sure.

    1. That’s great to hear! So glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for stopping by to let me know.

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