Homemade Calzone

If you love pizza but want to switch things up, this homemade calzone is about to become your new favorite dish! Think of it as a pizza’s delicious, doughy cousin—packed with gooey cheese, savory sauce, and your favorite fillings, all wrapped in a golden, crispy crust. Perfect for a cozy dinner, a fun family night, or even meal prep, calzones are easy to make and always a hit.

Why You’ll Love This Calzone

This calzone recipe is everything you want in a homemade meal: comforting, customizable, and incredibly satisfying. Here’s why it’s the best:

Quick & Easy: It comes together in under an hour, from dough to dinner table.
Customizable: Fill it with whatever you like—pepperoni, veggies, or even buffalo chicken!
Crowd-Pleaser: It’s a favorite for pizza lovers of all ages.
Perfect for Leftovers: Got extra fillings? Turn them into calzones!
Cheesy Goodness: Gooey cheese melted inside, with a crispy crust on the outside—what’s not to love?

Ingredients in Homemade Calzone

Here’s what you’ll need to make this doughy, cheesy masterpiece:

Pizza Dough: Either store-bought or homemade; this forms the base of your calzone.
Ricotta Cheese: Adds a creamy texture and balances the other ingredients.
Mozzarella Cheese: The go-to melty cheese for that ooey-gooey filling.
Parmesan Cheese: For a little sharp, nutty flavor.
Pizza Sauce: A tangy marinara or pizza sauce to spread inside.
Italian Seasoning: A fragrant blend of herbs to flavor the dough and filling.
Your Favorite Fillings: Pepperoni, sausage, veggies—anything you love on pizza!
Egg Wash: To give the crust that beautiful golden color when baked.
Olive Oil: A bit of oil to brush on top for extra crispiness.

(Exact measurements and ingredients are listed in the recipe card below.)

Instructions

Let’s walk through making the perfect calzone:

Preheat Your Oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) and let it heat up while you prep the calzones.

Prepare the Dough: Roll out your pizza dough into a flat circle on a lightly floured surface. It should be about 8-10 inches in diameter—enough to fold over your fillings.

Assemble the Filling: On one half of each dough circle, layer ricotta cheese, mozzarella, parmesan, and pizza sauce. Add your chosen fillings (pepperoni, sausage, veggies, etc.) and sprinkle with Italian seasoning.

Fold and Seal: Carefully fold the dough over the filling to form a half-moon shape. Press the edges together firmly, then crimp or fold the edges to seal. Don’t skip this step—this is how you keep all that cheesy goodness inside.

Brush with Egg Wash: Lightly brush the top of each calzone with an egg wash (1 beaten egg with a bit of water) to get that golden, shiny finish.

Bake to Perfection: Place the calzones on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Check the filling to make sure it’s hot and bubbly inside.

Serve: Let the calzones cool for a couple of minutes, then slice them up. Serve with extra pizza sauce for dipping if you’re feeling extra cheesy.

Nutrition Facts:
Servings: 2
Calories per serving: 400
(put them as notes)

Preparation Time
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
(put them as notes)

How to Serve Homemade Calzone

Looking to elevate your calzone meal? Here are a few tasty ideas:

• Pair with a side of garlic bread or a fresh green salad.
• Dip your calzone in extra pizza sauce, ranch dressing, or marinara for added flavor.
• Serve with roasted veggies or crispy fries for a more filling meal.

Additional Tips

• Add veggies like mushrooms, onions, or bell peppers for extra flavor and texture.
• If you’re short on time, use store-bought pizza dough to save on prep.
• For extra crispiness, brush the bottom of the calzone with a bit of olive oil before baking.
• Freeze uncooked calzones for a quick dinner later. Just bake from frozen and add a few minutes to the cooking time.
• Use a pizza stone if you have one—it’ll give the calzones a crispier bottom.

FAQ’s

1. Can I make calzones ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare and assemble them ahead of time, then refrigerate or freeze them until ready to bake.

2. What kind of cheese should I use?
Mozzarella and ricotta are the classic combo, but you can add parmesan, provolone, or even cheddar for variety.

3. Can I use store-bought dough?
Absolutely! Store-bought pizza dough is a great time-saver and works just as well as homemade dough.

4. Can I add more fillings?
Of course! Customize your calzone with your favorite toppings—try sausage, peppers, mushrooms, or even bacon.

5. Can I bake these in an air fryer?
Yes! Preheat the air fryer to 375°F and cook for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.

6. How do I keep the calzone crispy?
To keep the crust crispy, bake on a parchment-lined baking sheet and avoid overcrowding.

7. Can I use a different sauce?
Feel free to switch out pizza sauce for pesto, white sauce, or even BBQ sauce.

8. How do I reheat leftovers?
Reheat calzones in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes to keep the crust crispy.

9. Can I make a vegetarian calzone?
Absolutely! Load it up with veggies like spinach, mushrooms, onions, and olives.

10. Can I freeze these?
Yes, freeze them before baking. When ready to eat, bake from frozen for 20-25 minutes.

Conclusion

Homemade calzones are like a cozy, cheesy hug wrapped in pizza dough. With endless possibilities for fillings and sauces, this recipe is perfect for any pizza lover looking to try something new. They’re quick, customizable, and guaranteed to be a hit at any table. So go ahead—roll, bake, and enjoy!

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