Description
Fresh Calzones from Italy become your ultimate comfort meal, packed with melted cheese and savory fillings that make dinner feel like a delightful adventure.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb pizza dough
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Protein and Vegetables:
- 1 cup cooked meat (pepperoni or sausage)
- 1 cup fresh vegetables (bell peppers or onions)
Sauce:
- 1 cup marinara sauce
Instructions
- Remove pizza dough from refrigerator and allow it to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes, which helps the dough become more pliable and easier to shape.
- Dust your clean countertop with 2 tablespoons of flour, then roll each dough portion into 6-inch circular shapes using a rolling pin.
- Combine 1 cup ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, 1 cup chopped cooked meat, and 1 cup diced vegetables in a mixing bowl, seasoning with 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and 2 teaspoons dried Italian herbs.
- Place 3-4 tablespoons of prepared filling onto the center of each dough circle, keeping filling away from the edges.
- Fold the empty dough half over the filling, creating a half-moon shape, and firmly press edges together using your fingertips to create a tight seal.
- Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil across the top of each calzone and sprinkle 1 teaspoon dried oregano over the surface.
- Arrange calzones on a parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring they are not touching each other.
- Slide the baking sheet into a preheated 425°F (220°C) oven and bake for 18-22 minutes until the exterior turns deep golden brown and appears crispy.
Notes
- Let the dough warm up completely to make rolling easier and prevent tearing.
- Seal the edges super firmly to prevent cheese and filling from leaking during baking.
- For a crispier crust, brush with egg wash instead of olive oil before baking.
- Experiment with different fillings like spinach and feta or BBQ chicken to keep things interesting.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg