Calzones

Homemade calzones are easy to make and customize. Stuff with your favorite cheeses and pizza toppings!

Using our favorite pizza dough recipe and our favorite toppings, these calzones turned out delicious! Next time, we might try using the topping ingredients from some of our most popular pizza recipes, like Hawaiian BBQ Pizza or Chicken Veggie Pizza

Three calzones in a basket with marinara sauce

Pizza’s Tasty Cousin

Ever since I found my all-time favorite pizza dough recipe, I’ve been thinking of ways to use it. Calzones are something Stephen and I have always loved, so I thought I would give them a try.

If you’ve never had a calzone before and are wondering what it is, think of a pizza pocket. In fact, calzones were originally a type of street food—basically a pizza folded in half and cooked to eat on the go. It’s different from Stromboli which is rolled up and cut into slices after being baked. Instead, it’s folded in half and crimped shut. 

But pizza, Stromboli, and calzones are essentially all part of the same family!

I was surprised by how easy they were to make! We stuffed ours with ricotta, mozzarella and pepperoni, but really the options are endless.

Homemade pizza dough for calzone recipe

The Dough

Like I said, I used our favorite pizza dough recipe (found HERE), which will make 4 large calzones, or 6 medium sized ones. 

You can also use a store bought pizza crust, but read the packaging carefully when determining whether it will be enough dough for however many calzones you’d like to make! 

A good rule of thumb is that one 12″-14″ pizza crust should give you 2 decent sized calzones. 

How to fill calzones image

How to Make a Calzone

It really is as simple as filling the dough rounds, and crimping them shut!

PREP. Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Prepare baking surface by dusting lightly with flour or cornmeal.

DIVIDE. If using homemade pizza dough, follow dough directions up until shaping. Divide into 4 balls and make (4) 8″-10″circles.

FILL + FOLD. Place ingredients on one side of each circle. Divide seasonings evenly and sprinkle over each. Fold the top over each and crimp the edges by pinching and folding over. Optional: cut 2-3 small slits on the top to prevent bubbles.

Best filling ingredients:

  • Italian sausage
  • Fresh herbs
  • Ham 
  • Bell peppers
  • Sliced black olives
  • Ricotta cheese 
  • Diced onions

BAKE. Place on prepared surface and bake for 10-12 minutes (watch to make sure the tops don’t burn). Remove from oven when golden brown. Brush with butter and sprinkle with parmesan. Cool for 3-5 minutes before serving.

How to make calzones process shot

Sides + More Tips

What to serve with calzones? So many options, but these are some of our favorites:

Fried or baked? We baked ours, but you can totally fry them! Form your calzones like normal, but make sure they are tightly crimped shut. Then, fry them in a shallow pan of oil that is at about 365° F. Cook each side for about 3-5 minutes, or until they are golden brown on each side. Then let them cool on a paper towel-lined plate so that it can collect all of the excess oil!

Easy calzones recipe on parchment paper

Storage Tips

STORE baked calzones in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat either in the microwave or in the oven at around 400 degrees for about 20 minutes. Reheating them in the oven will help preserve the crisp outside instead of making it too soft.

If you bake them and then place them in an airtight container they will last for about 3 months in the freezer. Thaw them in the fridge before reheating them in either the microwave or oven.

Homemade calzones with a side of marinara sauce

For more “pizza” recipes, try:

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Calzone Recipe

Homemade calzones are easy to make and customize. Stuff with your favorite cheeses and pizza toppings!
5 from 4 votes
Pin Rate
Course: Main Dishes
Cuisine: Italian
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 calzones
Calories: 296kcal
Author: Andrea
Print Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 ball pizza dough - try our recipe!
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 4 tsp parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp oregano
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • pepperoni
  • bell peppers
  • olives
  • ham - sliced

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Prepare baking surface by dusting lightly with flour or cornmeal.
  • If using homemade pizza dough, follow dough directions up until shaping. Divide into 4 balls and make (4) 8"-10"circles.
  • Place ingredients on one side of each circle. Divide seasonings evenly and sprinkle over each. Fold the top over each and crimp the edges by pinching and folding over. Optional: cut 2-3 small slits on the top to prevent bubbles.
  • Place on prepared surface and bake for 10-12 minutes (watch to make sure the tops don't burn).
  • Remove from oven when golden brown. Brush with butter and sprinkle with parmesan. Cool for 3-5 minutes before serving.

NOTES

-This recipe makes 4 large calzones and 6 medium size calzones. It just depends on how you divide the dough.

Nutrition

Serving: 4serving | Calories: 296kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 919mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 177IU | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 3mg
 

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About the Author

Andrea

Hi I'm Andrea!

Hotelier turned Food Blogger to help make your life simple, one recipe at a time.

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