Easy Homemade Calzone Recipe

Introduction

Discover how to make a delicious and easy homemade calzone that’s perfect for a quick dinner or a satisfying snack. This recipe combines classic pizza flavors wrapped in golden, crispy dough. It’s simple to prepare and fun to customize.

Ingredients

• 1 pound pizza dough
• ½ cup pizza sauce
• ½ cup diced onion
• ½ cup diced green bell pepper
• ½ cup sliced pepperoni
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a large sheet pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
2. Step 2: Divide the pizza dough into 4 equal parts. Roll each piece into a circle about ¼ inch thick.
3. Step 3: On one half of each dough circle, spread an even layer of pizza sauce. Top with diced onion, green bell pepper, and sliced pepperoni, leaving space around the edges.
4. Step 4: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the toppings. Fold the other half of the dough over and crimp the edges tightly to seal the calzone.
5. Step 5: Cut 2 to 3 small vents in the top of each calzone to allow steam to escape. Place them on the prepared baking sheet.
6. Step 6: Brush the tops with olive oil and bake for about 15 minutes, or until the dough is cooked through and golden brown.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add Italian herbs like oregano or basil to the sauce before assembling.
• Swap pepperoni for cooked sausage, mushrooms, or spinach to suit your preference.
• Use a pizza stone if available to get a crispier crust.

Storage

Store leftover calzones in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes to restore crispiness, or microwave briefly if short on time.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I freeze homemade calzones?

Yes, calzones freeze well. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and foil before freezing. To reheat, bake from frozen at 350°F for about 20-25 minutes until heated through.

What can I use if I don’t have pizza dough?

You can substitute pre-made biscuit dough or crescent roll dough for a quicker option, though the texture will differ slightly from traditional pizza dough.

Easy Homemade Calzone Recipe

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This easy homemade calzone recipe is a delicious and customizable Italian-inspired meal featuring a golden, crispy dough stuffed with pizza sauce, sautéed vegetables, pepperoni, and melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a quick dinner or a fun cooking project, these calzones bake to perfection with a crispy crust and gooey filling.

• Author: Bella
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 calzones 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Calzone Dough

• 1 pound pizza dough

Filling

• ½ cup pizza sauce
• ½ cup diced onion
• ½ cup diced green bell pepper
• ½ cup sliced pepperoni
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Topping

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a large sheet pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and to make cleanup easier.
2. Prepare Dough Circles: Divide the pizza dough into 4 equal parts. Roll each portion into a circular shape approximately 1/4 inch thick to create the base for your calzones.
3. Add Fillings: On one half of each dough circle, spread an even layer of pizza sauce. Top with diced onion, green bell pepper, and sliced pepperoni, leaving a margin around the edges to seal the calzone properly.
4. Add Cheese and Fold: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over the toppings. Fold the other half of the dough over this filling, creating a half-moon shape. Crimp the edges tightly to seal the calzone.
5. Vent and Prepare for Baking: Cut 2-3 small air vents on the top side of each calzone to allow steam release while baking. Place the calzones on the prepared parchment-lined baking sheet.
6. Brush and Bake: Lightly brush the tops of the calzones with olive oil to promote a golden crust. Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes or until the dough is fully cooked and the calzones turn golden brown.

Notes

• You can customize the filling by adding other vegetables or meats according to your preference.
• Ensure to leave enough space around the edges of the dough circles to properly seal the calzone and prevent leakage.
• Allow calzones to cool for a few minutes before cutting to avoid losing the hot filling.
• If you prefer a crispier crust, you can bake the calzones on a pizza stone instead of a baking sheet.
• For a vegetarian version, omit pepperoni and add more veggies or plant-based proteins.

Keywords: calzone, homemade calzone, easy calzone recipe, Italian calzone, pizza dough calzone, baked calzone, mozzarella calzone