Homemade Calzones Sausage and pepperoni mixed in a creamy cheese mixture and baked in a delicious and fluffy dough. Absolutely delicious and everyone is going to go crazy for them!

It seems like pizza is a favorite for everyone. But what about calzones? They kind of get pushed to the side and forgotten about. But they shouldnt be, they are so good! If we go out for pizza, there is a really good chance my son will actually order a calzone, so our love for them is strong!

Dont get me wrong I am all about pizza. This Roasted Garlic White Chicken Pizza is an absolute favorite. But sometimes I like to mix it up.

What is a calzone?

Typically a calzone is a round piece of dough that is filled with mozzarella, Parmesan, and ricotta cheese as well as an egg. Then you add other meats and vegetables that you like. The dough is folded over the filling and then baked until golden and the filling is melty and hot. It is traditionally served with marinara sauce on the side for dipping, it is not put inside the calzone.

Stromboli vs Calzone?

They are very similar, but technically different things. Calzones are typically single serve and use round shaped dough to fold over the filling. There is traditionally a lot more cheese (ricotta, mozzarella and Parmesan) in a calzone. Also the dipping sauce is on the side.

For a stromboli is usually much larger. It uses a full sheet of square or rectangle shaped dough. The dough is folded over the filling into more of a log shape. Traditionally a stromboli is filled with sliced meats and cheeses so it is more of a sandwich than a pizza. Also the sauce can be baked in a stromboli instead of just on the side.

This calzone recipe is super easy to make. The dough is homemade and you have to let it rise, but trust me you can do it! If you have a stand mixer, it literally does all the work. I just turned it one, added the ingredients, and let it go for 10 minutes. Couldnt be much easier. I love my No Knead Pizza Dough Recipe, but this recipe requires just a little bit more work.

The filling is customizable as well. My family loves sausage and pepperoni together, so that is what we use. But if you like bell peppers and mushrooms you can add them. If you want to skip the meat, that is totally fine too. You really can just mix in whatever you want with the cheese.

How to Make Calzones

• Start by mixing your dough. For this you just add the flour, yeast, and salt to your stand mixer. Slowly mix in the water and oil until it comes together as a ball. Then just let the mixer doing the kneading for about 10 minutes. You want a super smooth and elastic dough. You need to cover this for about an hour and a half until the dough is double in size.
• While the dough is rising you mix together filling. Brown the sausage and drain away any fat. Then add it to a bowl with all the cheeses, egg and seasonings. I then just cut in a few slices of pepperoni and mix everything together. Put it in the fridge until you are ready to use it.
• Once the dough is double the size use a bread knife to divide into 8 equal balls of dough. Then just roll each piece into a loose ball (you dont need to handle the dough too much) and cover to let the dough rest for another 30 minutes.
• Once all the rising is done you roll each piece of dough into about an 8 inch circle and put about 1/2 to 2/3 cup filling into the center of each circle.
• Fold the dough over and pinch the edges to close.
• Once you have 8 little pouches brush each one with a little olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and then cut 3 slits in the top to let the steam escape when baking.
• Bake until they are golden brown and the cheese is melted.
• Serve with a little pizza or marinara sauce on the side for dipping.

Can you Freeze Calzones

Yes, I do like to freeze them when I make them. This recipe makes 8 calzones, so I usually freeze a few of them so we have another meal later. I like to under bake them by about 5 minutes and then let them cool completely. Once they are cool store them in an air tight container in the freezer. To reheat, let them thaw completely and then bake in a 350 degree oven until the cheese and filling is hot and the crust is golden.

This homemade calzone recipe is often requested for birthdays, holidays, or just special weekend meals at our house. It does take time to let the dough rise, but trust me it is so easy and not a lot of hands on work to make these.

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Yield: 8

Calzones

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Homemade Calzones - Sausage and pepperoni mixed in a creamy cheese mixture and baked in a delicious and fluffy dough. Absolutely delicious and everyone is going to go crazy for them!

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Additional Time 2 hours

Total Time 2 hours 50 minutes

Ingredients

Dough

• 4 cups (22 oz) bread flour
• 2 1/2 tsp rapid rise yeast
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 Tbls olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups, plus 1 Tbls water (105 degrees)

Filling

• 1 pound Italian Sausage
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 cup sliced pepperoni
• 2 cups ricotta
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese
• 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp pepper

Instructions

1. For the Dough: Using a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combined flour, yeast and salt. Turn speed to medium-low, add olive oil. Then gradually mix in the water.
2. Mix until it forms a smooth and elastic dough, about 10 minutes.
3. Transfer to a large oiled bowl. Cover and let rise until doubled in size, 1 1/2 - 2 hours.
4. For the Filling: Cook the sausage in a skillet over high heat, breaking it apart. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until no longer pink.
5. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for another minute, or until fragrant.
6. Transfer sausage to a plate lined with paper towel to drain.
7. In a large bowl mix ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, pepperoni, egg yolk, oregano, salt and pepper.
8. Fold in the sausage mixture. Put in fridge until needed.
9. Preheat oven to 500 degrees.
10. Transfer dough to counter. Divide dough into 8 equal portions of dough.
11. Shape each portion into a loose ball. Place on a lined baking sheet. Cover, and let rest for 15-30 minutes.
12. On a lightly floured surface roll out each ball of dough into a 9 inch circle.
13. Spread about 1/2 to 2/3rd cup of filling into the bottom half of each round, leaving a 1 inch border.
14. Fold the top half over the filling, and press the edges to seal.
15. Cut a few slits into the top of the dough.
16. Brush the tops with olive oil, and sprinkle with kosher salt.
17. Place on a baking sheet, and bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes.
18. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
19. Serve with pizza sauce for dipping.

Nutrition Information

Yield

8

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 761 Total Fat 42g Saturated Fat 18g Trans Fat 0g Unsaturated Fat 24g Cholesterol 121mg Sodium 1613mg Carbohydrates 57g Net Carbohydrates 0g Fiber 2g Sugar 2g Sugar Alcohols 0g Protein 37g

Nutrition Disclaimer: All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on dinnersdishesanddesserts.com should only be used as a general guideline.

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