Simple Calzone Recipe – A Stunning Mess

Whereas I like do-it-yourself pizza, I’m additionally a giant 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 completely 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: Scorching 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-Type Pizza, Deep Dish Pizza Recipe, Tomato Sauce, Pizza Sauce.

What’s a Calzone?

Calzone = Dough + Sauce + Cheese + Fillings

The substances in a calzone recipe are dough, pizza sauce, cheese and fillings, similar to pepperoni, Italian sausage, ham, and some other greens or protein you favor. You can even 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 purple sauce you utilize contained in the calzone may be served for dipping, so that you don’t essential must make or purchase two completely different sauces except you need to.

From Scratch Dough Choices

For a straightforward calzone recipe, use one of many store-bought choices beneath. However, in case you are seeking to make calzone from scratch, listed here are few pizza dough recipes that may work effectively:

Different pizza dough recipes can work, however keep away from something that’s tremendous skinny or crispy. These is not going to bake as effectively. It’s finest 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 possibility. Every loaf will make three calzones, so this complete package deal you see above would make 9 calzones if I used it all of sudden. You will want to thaw and roll this dough out with a rolling pin.
• Refrigerated pizza dough (like Pillsbury) – I additionally like this feature as a result of it really works effectively and is simple to form into plenty of completely different calzones, relying on the scale.
• Dry pizza crust combine (like Jiffy) – Though this may work and is probably the most shelf-stable possibility, it may possibly make your calzone crust type of skinny and dry.

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

If you happen to depart the dough tremendous thick (greater than 1/2 an inch), it might be type of doughy on the within whereas absolutely baked to burning on the skin. Regulate the bake time as wanted relying on what dough recipe you utilize.

Calzone Fillings

• Sauce – I like purple sauce. You received’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 combination 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 mentioned, if you wish to skip the ricotta, one of the best substitution is recent mozzarella, which has larger moisture.
• Toppings – Pizza toppings can change into fillings for calzone. My household likes pepperoni, and if I’ve some recent basil, I’ll often add that too. If you wish to use greens, you could need to think about cooking them barely first, like sautéing bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms. However that is private choice and simply relies on 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 sides, leaving slightly 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 sides collectively, however you too can roll them up. This can rely in your dough.

Elective: Brush the tops with an egg wash earlier than baking. This can 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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