Italian Calzone: A Delicious Twist on Classic Pizza
Italian cuisine is renowned for its comforting flavors and timeless dishes, and the calzone is a perfect example of culinary ingenuity. Essentially a folded pizza, calzones offer all the indulgent taste of pizza with a fun, handheld twist. The golden, crisp crust encloses a rich combination of cheeses, meats, vegetables, and herbs, creating a warm, satisfying pocket of flavor.
Making calzones at home allows you to experiment with fillings, from traditional Italian ingredients like mozzarella, ricotta, and prosciutto, to inventive modern twists such as roasted vegetables or spicy sausage. They’re perfect for family dinners, lunchboxes, or entertaining guests because they’re portable, shareable, and customizable to everyone’s taste.
Ingredients Needed
Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients for Italian Calzone, along with approximate calorie counts per serving (recipe makes 4 calzones):
| Ingredient | Quantity | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 2 ½ cups | 1140 |
| Active dry yeast | 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) | 20 |
| Warm water | 1 cup | 0 |
| Olive oil | 2 tablespoons | 240 |
| Salt | 1 tsp | 0 |
| Sugar | 1 tsp | 16 |
| Ricotta cheese | 1 cup | 340 |
| Mozzarella cheese, shredded | 1 ½ cups | 480 |
| Parmesan cheese, grated | ¼ cup | 110 |
| Cooked Italian sausage or pepperoni | 1 cup | 350 |
| Bell peppers, diced (optional) | ½ cup | 15 |
| Spinach, fresh (optional) | 1 cup | 7 |
| Marinara sauce (for dipping) | 1 cup | 80 |
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
1: Prepare the Dough
In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until frothy. Stir in flour, salt, and olive oil, then knead the dough for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and let it rise in a warm place for 1–2 hours, or until doubled in size.
2: Preheat Oven
Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
3: Prepare the Filling
In a bowl, combine ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, cooked sausage or pepperoni, and any optional vegetables. Mix thoroughly and season with salt, pepper, or Italian herbs to taste.
4: Shape the Calzones
Divide the dough into 4 equal portions. Roll each piece into a circle about 8 inches in diameter. Spoon the filling onto one half of each dough circle, leaving a small border around the edges. Fold the dough over the filling and press the edges together to seal. Use a fork to crimp edges for extra security.
5: Bake the Calzones
Place calzones on the prepared baking sheet. Brush lightly with olive oil and bake for 15–20 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes.
6: Serve
Serve with warm marinara sauce for dipping. Enjoy your freshly baked Italian calzones hot from the oven.
Tips for Customizing the Recipe
- Vegetarian Options: Replace meat with roasted vegetables, mushrooms, or artichokes.
- Cheese Variations: Try provolone, fontina, or gouda for different flavor profiles.
- Spice It Up: Add red pepper flakes or a drizzle of hot sauce to the filling.
- Freezing: Unbaked calzones can be frozen and baked later for quick meals.
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free pizza dough to accommodate dietary needs.
Nutritional Information (Per Calzone)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~575 kcal |
| Protein | 28 g |
| Carbohydrates | 52 g |
| Fat | 28 g |
| Saturated Fat | 12 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sodium | 780 mg |
| Sugar | 4 g |
Serving Suggestions
Italian calzones pair beautifully with:
- Fresh salad: Arugula or mixed greens with balsamic dressing.
- Roasted vegetables: Zucchini, asparagus, or cherry tomatoes.
- Soup: Tomato basil or minestrone complements the cheesy calzone.
- Beverages: Italian soda, sparkling water, or a light red wine for adults.
Italian Calzone: A Delicious Twist on Classic Pizza
4
servings20
minutes20
minutes575
kcalIngredients
IngredienttQuantity
All-purpose flourt2 ½ cups
Active dry yeastt1 packet (2 ¼ tsp)
Warm watert1 cup
Olive oilt2 tablespoons
Saltt1 teaspoon
Sugart1 teaspoon
Ricotta cheeset1 cup
Mozzarella cheese, shreddedt1 ½ cups
Parmesan cheese, gratedt¼ cup
Cooked Italian sausage or pepperonit1 cup
Bell peppers, diced (optional)t½ cup
Spinach, fresh (optional)t1 cup
Marinara sauce (for dipping)t1 cup
Directions
- Prepare the Dough:
- Dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Let sit 5–10 minutes until frothy. Stir in flour, salt, and olive oil, then knead 8–10 minutes until smooth. Cover and let rise for 1–2 hours.
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Filling:
- Combine ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, sausage or pepperoni, and optional vegetables. Season with salt, pepper, or Italian herbs.
- Shape the Calzones:
- Divide dough into 4 pieces. Roll each into an 8-inch circle. Spoon filling onto half of each circle, leaving a border. Fold over and seal edges; crimp with a fork.
- Bake:
- Place calzones on baking sheet, brush lightly with olive oil. Bake 15–20 minutes until golden brown. Let cool for 5 minutes.
- Serve:
- Serve warm with marinara sauce for dipping.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Check Dough Consistency: The dough should be soft and slightly sticky but manageable. If it’s too dry, add a teaspoon of water at a time; if too wet, sprinkle in a bit more flour.
Seal Edges Properly: Crimp edges with a fork or pinch tightly to prevent the filling from leaking during baking.
FAQs
1. What is a calzone?
A calzone is a folded pizza originating from Italy. It’s made by enclosing cheese, meats, vegetables, and herbs inside pizza dough, creating a handheld pocket that’s baked until golden and crispy.
2. Can I make calzones vegetarian?
Yes! Simply replace the meat filling with vegetables such as spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, or artichokes. You can also experiment with different cheeses for extra flavor.
3. Can I use store-bought pizza dough?
Absolutely! Store-bought pizza dough works well and saves time. Just roll it out, add your favorite fillings, and follow the baking instructions.
4. How do I know when the calzones are cooked?
The calzones are ready when they are golden brown on the outside and the dough feels firm. You can also gently tap the bottom — it should sound hollow. For safety, check that the cheese inside is fully melted.
5. Can calzones be frozen?
Yes! You can freeze unbaked calzones by wrapping them individually in plastic wrap or foil. Freeze for up to 2 months and bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Conclusion
Italian calzones are a delightful way to enjoy pizza flavors in a hand-held, portable form. Their golden crust, rich cheese, and flavorful fillings make them perfect for family dinners, gatherings, or meal prep. With simple ingredients and endless customization possibilities, making calzones at home allows you to tailor every bite to your taste.
