Easy Calzone Recipe

Easy Calzones make for a fun lunch or dinner. A calzone is like a stuffed pizza pocket, filled with all the classic toppings – meat, cheese, and your choice of sauce wrapped in Pizza Dough.

Prep a handful of these to have on hand throughout the week. They reheat really well and are perfect for packing work or school lunch.

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Trust me, you’re going to love this homemade calzone recipe.

What is a Calzone?

Calzones are Italian turnovers that are stuffed with an array of ingredients. Pretty much anything that goes on a pizza can go into a calzone.

The fillings are placed on one half of the circular shaped pizza dough. The dough is then folded over, pinched and sealed, coated with an egg wash or olive oil, and baked in the oven until golden brown.

What is the Difference Between Calzones and Stromboli?

If you love calzones, you have probably tried its close cousin, stromboli. Stromboli vs Calzone – what sets them apart? Although both have similar ingredients, the way they are sealed is different. Calzones are pinched and sealed like empanadas and are handheld, while a stromboli is rolled up and sliced.

Calzone Dough

If you’re in a pinch, grab any store-bought pizza dough to make your calzone. If you want to elevate your home cooking game, make your own pizza dough.

As you’re rolling your dough out, pay special attention to the thickness. You want to make sure that the dough is thick enough to hold all the toppings and be folded over without breaking. ¼-inch thickness is the sweet spot.

Calzone Filling

Here are some different variations for you. Mix-and-match your ingredients to make the perfect calzone for your tastebuds:

• Cheese – Mozzarella, parmesan, sharp cheddar, feta and goat cheese.
• Meats – Salami, pepperoni, Canadian bacon, ham, bacon, chicken, Italian sausage, steak strips or meatballs.
• Veggies – Mushrooms, bell peppers, pepperoncini, marinated artichokes, spinach and red onions.
• Sauce – Use a red pizza sauce or white sauce.
• Dip – Each your calzone plain or dip your calzone in a little homemade marinara or ranch.

How to Make Calzones

Calzones at home are super easy. The best part about calzones is everyone can customize their own. Gather a ton of ingredients, lay them out and let your friends and family go at it! Follow these simple instructions to nail it every time:

1. Divide pre-made pizza dough into equal portions and roll into a circle.
2. On one half of the dough, spread all of your selected ingredients.
3. Fold over and tightly crimp the edges.
4. Cut air vents, brush with oil and sprinkle on parmesan. Bake at 475F for about 15 minutes or until golden brown.

For Larger or Smaller Calzones: Baking time may need to be adjusted based on the size of your Calzone.

Storing Calzones

To Freeze: Once you have prepared your calzones, you can freeze them while they are raw or cooked. Either way, place them on a baking sheet and allow them to completely freeze in a single layer. Then, store them in an airtight container or freezer-safe plastic bag.

To Reheat: Thaw frozen calzones in the refrigerator for 3 hours, or add more cooking time if heating from frozen. Bake raw calzones according to recipe instructions. Bake cooked calzones for half the time or until they are heated through.

Other Quick Lunch Recipes

• Reuben Sandwich – with a wonderful homemade Russian dressing.
• Philly Cheesesteak – A timeless sandwich with tender beef and cheese.
• Fish Tacos – Nothing says party like fresh, fish tacos drizzled in a tangy aioli.
• Costco Chicken Bake – A copycat recipe for the famous chicken bake.
• Pizza Rolls – A kid’s favorite and fun twist on making pizza.

Easy Calzone Recipe

5 from 207 votes

Author: Natalya Drozhzhin

Easy calzones make for a fun lunch or dinner. These stuffed pizza pockets are filled with all the classic toppings - meat, cheese and your choice of sauce.

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Prep Time: 30 minutes mins

Cook Time: 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 45 minutes mins

Ingredients 

US CustomaryMetric

Servings: 8 servings

• 2 lb pizza dough
• 1 cup pizza sauce
• 1 cup pepperoni
• 1/2 cup salami
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 tbsp oil
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese

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Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 475 °F. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper or spray it with oil.
• Divide the dough into 8 equally sized pieces. Roll each piece into a 1/4" thick circle.
• Place the filling on half of each circle (pizza sauce, ricotta, pepperoni, salami and shredded mozzarella). Make sure to leave the edges clean to allow for sealing the calzone. Fold the side over the filling and crimp the edges.
• Place calzones on a baking sheet, leaving space apart. Cut a small vent on the top of each calzone. Brush the tops with oil and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Nutrition Per Serving

578kcal Calories58g Carbs26g Protein28g Fat12g Saturated Fat62mg Cholesterol1690mg Sodium227mg Potassium2g Fiber9g Sugar508IU Vitamin A2mg Vitamin C286mg Calcium4mg Iron

• Full Nutrition Label
• Nutrition Disclosure

Nutrition Facts

Easy Calzone Recipe

Amount per Serving

Calories

578

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

28

g

43

%

Saturated Fat

 

12

g

75

%

Cholesterol

 

62

mg

21

%

Sodium

 

1690

mg

73

%

Potassium

 

227

mg

6

%

Carbohydrates

 

58

g

19

%

Fiber

 

2

g

8

%

Sugar

 

9

g

10

%

Protein

 

26

g

52

%

Vitamin A

 

508

IU

10

%

Vitamin C

 

2

mg

2

%

Calcium

 

286

mg

29

%

Iron

 

4

mg

22

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: calzone recipe, calzones

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $

Calories: 578