Homemade calzones are a delicious and frugal dish that is great served at lunch, dinner, or even as appetizers/snacks on game day! They are so versatile, cheesy and there are a ton of incredible calzone fillings to choose from!
This Italian calzone recipe is easy and the calzone filling recipe is quick and as simple as it gets! You can make a tasty calzone pizza using basic things already found within your house with this homemade pizza crust recipe or make your easy calzones with pizza dough to cut down on time and mess.
Tips for Making Calzones
You can use any combination of meats and veggies that you want for the filling in this calzone recipe. You can make ham and cheese calzones or stick with the classic pepperoni calzone recipe to satisfy those hungry pizza lovers.
I personally used up leftover veggies that I had on hand and it still turned out great!
What Is A Calzone?
A calzone is like a large pizza pocket full of a delicious blend of cheeses and toppings like you would have on top of your traditional pizza. Essentially, it’s a pizza that has been folded over to create a more portable way of eating.
What’s The Difference Between Stromboli and Calzone?
Both are very similar and are stuffed pizza doughs that are filled with toppings and cheeses, but the biggest difference is how they are made. A stromboli is a large square shaped pizza rolled into a log whereas a calzone is a round pizza folded over to create a semicircle or crescent shape.
Calzone Dough Ingredients
-2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
-1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
-1 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
-1 teaspoon salt
-2 tablespoons olive oil
-3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
How to Make and Prepare Calzone Dough
In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast and brown sugar in the water, and let sit it for 10 minutes.
Stir the salt and the oil into the yeast solution. Mix in 2 1/2 cups of the flour.
Turn the dough out onto a clean, well floured surface, and knead in more flour until the dough is no longer sticky. Place the dough into a well oiled bowl, and cover with a cloth. Let the dough rise until double; this should take about 1 hour. Punch down the dough, and form a tight ball. Allow the dough to relax for a minute before rolling out.
I divided the dough into 4 portions, then cut 1 of the 4 in half, for smaller calzones for my kids. You can roll the dough out, but I just stretched it into a circle with my hands, until it was about 1/4- 1/2 inch thin.
Calzone Filling Ingredients:
-about 2 cups mozzarella cheese
-2 TBSP olive oil
-1 tsp Italian seasoning
-your favorite pizza toppings
How to Make and Assemble Calzones
Combine the olive oil and Italian seasoning. Once your dough has been spread out, brush the inside with the oil and leave a 1 inch ring around the edges dry.
Sprinkle your mozzarella cheese and add your desired pizza toppings onto one half of the round crust. Make sure not to pile too much on there or else you may not be able to close your calzone.
Seal the edges by simply folding over the unfilled side of the dough and pinching the edges together. Bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes.
Enjoy!
Ingredients
Calzone Pizza Crust
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
- 1/2 tsp brown sugar
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Calzone Filling
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp italian seasoning
- any combination of pizza topping you like!
Instructions
- In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast and brown sugar in the water, and let sit for 10 minutes.
- Stir the salt and oil into the yeast solution. Mix in 2 1/2 cups of the flour.
- Turn dough out onto a clean, well floured surface, and knead in more flour until the dough is no longer sticky. Place the dough into a well oiled bowl, and cover with a cloth.
- Let the dough rise until double; this should take about 1 hour. Punch down the dough, and form a tight ball. Allow the dough to relax for a minute before rolling out.
- I divided the dough into 4 portions, then cut 1 of the 4 in half, for smaller calzones for my kids. You can roll the dough out, but I just stretched it into a circle with my hands, until it was about 1/4- 1/2 inch thin.
How to Make Calzones
- Combine the olive oil and Italian seasoning. Once you have the dough spread out, brush the inside with the oil, leaving about a 1" perimeter dry.
- Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese, then add toppings on one half of the circle of dough. Make sure you're not filling the calzones too full or you won't be able to seal the edges.
- Seal the edges by simply folding over the unfilled side of dough and pinching the edges together.
- Bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes. Enjoy!
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Is There Sauce Inside A Calzone?
Calzones can be made with or without pizza sauce inside, but when there is sauce inside it’s usually a small amount. That being said, they are usually severed with a marinara or pizza sauce on the side for dipping.
How Do You Fold A Calzone?
Life the side of the pizza dough without filling and bring it over to the other side. Wet your hands a little and run them along the inner edges of the pizza dough to help create a sealing bond between the dough. Roll the edges along the curve and pinch shut or use a fork to create a crimped edge like a pizza crust.
Can I Use A Storebought Pizza Crust Instead?
Absolutely! If you’re crunched for time or just not feeling up to the task of making your own dough, you can use store bought for a fast and easy dinner! Just follow the calzone fillings recipe instructions and continue as directed.
If You Liked These Calzones, You’re Going to Love These Other Pizza Favorites!
- Pizza Pasta Salad
- Pizza Pinwheels
- Pepperoni Pizza Dip
- Bacon Alfredo Pizza
- Chicken Pizza Foil Packets
- Ranch Chicken Pizza
- Easy Garden Vegetable Pizza
- Slow Cooker Pizza Soup
- BBQ Chicken Pizza
- Easy Fruit Pizza Cookies
Calzones are a delicious stuffed pizza pocket that’s perfect for any occasion. You’re going to love this simple homemade calzone recipe!
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