Simple Calzone Recipe – A Stunning Mess

Whereas I really like do-it-yourself pizza, I’m additionally an enormous fan of pizza’s modest cousin, the calzone. And whereas I’m all for a do-it-yourself calzone recipe (from scratch), this submit is extra about methods to make simple calzone utilizing various kinds of crust mixes or store-bought dough.

Calzone is totally different from stromboli in two methods. Stromboli is rolled, like a pizza cinnamon roll, whereas a calzone solely has a high and backside layer. If a calzone is a pressed sandwich, stromboli is a pinwheel burrito. I additionally consider calzone like a pizza pocket (or my childhood favourite: Sizzling Pocket).

The second distinction is calzone is often made with ricotta cheese (or a mixture of cheese together with ricotta). This provides moisture to the calzone.

Associated: Detroit-Model Pizza, Deep Dish Pizza Recipe, Tomato Sauce, Pizza Sauce.

What’s a Calzone?

Calzone = Dough + Sauce + Cheese + Fillings

The elements in a calzone recipe are dough, pizza sauce, cheese and fillings, akin to pepperoni, Italian sausage, ham, and some other greens or protein you favor. You may also make a cheese calzone with out some other fillings.

One other key to nice calzone is it is best to serve it alongside dipping sauce—ideally marinara. No matter pink sauce you utilize contained in the calzone may be served for dipping, so that you don’t crucial need to make or purchase two totally different sauces except you need to.

From Scratch Dough Choices

For a straightforward calzone recipe, use one of many store-bought choices beneath. However, if you’re trying to make calzone from scratch, listed below are few pizza dough recipes that may work nicely:

Different pizza dough recipes can work, however keep away from something that’s tremendous skinny or crispy. These is not going to bake as nicely. It’s greatest to stay to a pizza dough recipe that comprises yeast, though there are some exceptions.

Retailer-Purchased Calzone Dough Choices

• Frozen dough for bread loaves – That is my favourite store-bought choice. Every loaf will make three calzones, so this whole package deal you see above would make 9 calzones if I used it abruptly. You’ll need to thaw and roll this dough out with a rolling pin.
• Refrigerated pizza dough (like Pillsbury) – I additionally like this selection as a result of it really works nicely and is straightforward to form into quite a few totally different calzones, relying on the dimensions.
• Dry pizza crust combine (like Jiffy) – Though this may work and is probably the most shelf-stable choice, it will possibly make your calzone crust sort of skinny and dry.

That is the frozen bread dough earlier than rolling it out. No matter dough you utilize, ensure that to roll it out to a desired thickness earlier than baking.

Should you go away the dough tremendous thick (greater than 1/2 an inch), it might be sort of doughy on the within whereas absolutely baked to burning on the surface. Alter the bake time as wanted relying on what dough recipe you utilize.

Calzone Fillings

• Sauce – I like pink sauce. You gained’t want a lot for the within of every calzone—only a couple spoonfuls on the most. However you will have some on the facet for dipping. You can also make calzone with different sauces like Alfredo or different pasta sauces or BBQ sauce. Any sauce you want on pizza you’ll in all probability like in a calzone.
• Cheese – I often use a mix of ricotta cheese and shredded mozzarella. The ricotta cheese provides moisture to the within of the calzone so it doesn’t dry out in baking. That being stated, if you wish to skip the ricotta, one of the best substitution is contemporary mozzarella, which has greater moisture.
• Toppings – Pizza toppings can develop into fillings for calzone. My household likes pepperoni, and if I’ve some contemporary basil, I’ll often add that too. If you wish to use greens, you could need to take into account cooking them barely first, like sautéing bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms. However that is private choice and simply is dependent upon what sort of textures you favor.

Instructions

Roll out the dough. For this bake time I’m recommending right here, the dough needs to be roughly 8-10 inches in diameter and 1/2 an inch thick or much less.

Add a spoonful or two of sauce and unfold roughly evenly towards the perimeters, leaving a bit edge throughout. Put every calzone on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.

On half of the calzone add 2-3 tablespoons ricotta cheese, crumbled. Sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons shredded mozzarella cheese or parmesan cheese. Then add a handful of any toppings you want.

Fold the dough over on itself, making an empanada form (half moon). I like to make use of a fork to press the perimeters collectively, however you can even roll them up. This may rely in your dough.

Optionally available: Brush the tops with an egg wash earlier than baking. This may create a golden brown coloration.

As soon as baked, serve alongside with dipping sauce. If you wish to really feel wholesome, perhaps add a salad. You do you. Get pleasure from! -Emma

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