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Calzone Recipe

Simple Calzone Recipe

This easy calzone recipe transforms simple pizza dough into delicious stuffed pockets filled with cheese, meat, and your favorite toppings. Perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep, each golden-brown pocket delivers all the flavors of pizza in a handheld format that both kids and adults absolutely love.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 8 calzones
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 578
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Dough Base
  • 2 pounds pizza dough homemade or store-bought
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil for brushing
Filling Ingredients
  • 1 cup pizza sauce or marinara sauce
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup sliced pepperoni
  • 1/2 cup salami pieces
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese for topping

Equipment

  • Rolling Pin
  • Large Baking Sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Pastry brush
  • Fork
  • Sharp knife

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 475°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Divide pizza dough into 8 equal portions. Roll each piece into a circle, maintaining 1/4-inch thickness. Keep rolled dough covered while working with individual pieces.
  3. On half of each dough circle, spread 2 tablespoons pizza sauce, leaving a 1-inch border around edges for sealing.
  4. Add 1/4 cup ricotta cheese over the sauce, then layer pepperoni, salami, and mozzarella on top.
  5. Fold dough over filling and crimp edges tightly with a fork to seal completely.
  6. Place sealed calzones on prepared baking sheets. Cut small air vents on top of each pocket to prevent bursting.
  7. Brush tops with olive oil and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese for golden, crispy results.
  8. Bake for 15 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Let cool for 2-3 minutes before serving.

Notes

Storage Tips: Freeze cooked or uncooked calzones on baking sheets first, then transfer to freezer bags. Store up to 3 months.
Reheating: Thaw frozen calzones in refrigerator 3 hours, then reheat at 350°F for 10 minutes.
Customization: Try Italian sausage, mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach for variety. Keep filling balanced to prevent bursting.
Pro Tips: Don't overfill, seal edges tightly, and always cut air vents to prevent steam buildup.