Best 7 Zesty Calzone Recipes

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In the realm of culinary delights, few dishes can rival the allure of a zesty calzone. With its golden-brown crust, flavorful fillings, and tantalizing aroma, this Italian folded pizza has captivated taste buds for centuries. Whether you prefer classic combinations like pepperoni and mozzarella or seek adventurous fillings that push the boundaries of flavor, crafting the perfect calzone is an art form that requires precision, creativity, and a dash of culinary passion. Embark on a culinary journey as we explore the secrets behind creating a delectable zesty calzone, transforming ordinary ingredients into a symphony of flavors that will leave you craving more.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

EASY CALZONE RECIPE



Easy Calzone Recipe image

Easy calzones make for a fun lunch or dinner. These stuffed pizza pockets are filled with all the classic toppings - meat, cheese and your choice of sauce.

Provided by Natalya Drozhzhin

Categories     Easy

Time 45m

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 lb pizza dough
1 cup pizza sauce
1 cup pepperoni
1/2 cup salami
2 cups shredded mozzarella
1 cup ricotta cheese
2 tbsp oil
1/2 cup parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 475 °F. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper or spray it with oil.
  • Divide the dough into 8 equally sized pieces. Roll each piece into a 1/4" thick circle.
  • Place the filling on half of each circle (pizza sauce, ricotta, pepperoni, salami and shredded mozzarella). Make sure to leave the edges clean to allow for sealing the calzone. Fold the side over the filling and crimp the edges.
  • Place calzones on a baking sheet, leaving space apart. Cut a small vent on the top of each calzone. Brush the tops with oil and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 578 kcal, Carbohydrate 58 g, Protein 26 g, Fat 28 g, SaturatedFat 12 g, Cholesterol 62 mg, Sodium 1690 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 9 g, ServingSize 1 serving

THE BEST CALZONES



The Best Calzones image

These will be the best calzones you will ever make. They are easy and very tasty. The dough is made in the bread machine. You can put any meat and cheese combination you want. The Sauce is good for the calzones meatballs and spaghetti. We make 2-3 batches at a time and freeze them for lunches. The sauce and the calzone both freeze well.

Provided by JJarmer

Categories     Savory Pies

Time 1h40m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 cup water
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups flour
1 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
cornmeal, for sprinkling
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 egg
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1 cup cubed mozzarella cheese
1 1/2 tablespoons parsley
1/8 teaspoon salt
20 -28 slices pepperoni
4 garlic cloves
2 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
3 tablespoons olive oil

Steps:

  • Dough:.
  • Place ingredients in bread machine in order given.
  • Set the machine to dough cycle (2 lb setting if you have that feature).
  • Start the machine.
  • Calzone Filling:.
  • Heat oven to 425°.
  • Mix all filling ingredients except pepperoni in a bowl.
  • When the dough is ready, punch it down.
  • Divide into 4 equal balls.
  • On a floured surface, roll each ball into a 6 to 6 1/2 inch circle.
  • Place 1/4 filling (about a half a cup) on each dough circle keeping a one inch border.
  • Place 5 to 7 slices pepperoni in each.
  • Dampen the dough edges with water.
  • Fold the dough into semi-circles and seal the edges by pinching together.
  • Place completed calzones on baking sheet sprinkled with corn meal.
  • Bake 12 to 15 minutes until golden.
  • Simple Tomato Sauce:.
  • Sauté the garlic over medium heat in olive oil for a minute. Add the tomatoes and salt and pepper.
  • Reduce heat and simmer 45 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 882.4, Fat 39.7, SaturatedFat 14.4, Cholesterol 123.3, Sodium 2023.1, Carbohydrate 101.1, Fiber 8.5, Sugar 15.6, Protein 32.6

SAUSAGE CALZONES



Sausage Calzones image

Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 35m

Yield 4 calzones

Number Of Ingredients 20

1 1/3 pounds raw Italian sweet sausage, casing removed
A drizzle olive oil
2 cups ricotta
A handful flat leaf parsley, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
A handful grated Parmigiano, plus extra, for knots
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated or a couple pinches of ground
A few grinds black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped pimento
2 (10-ounce) tubes prepared pizza dough
2 cups shredded mozzarella
Garlic oil (1 or 2 cloves chopped and heated in 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil)
2 cups tomato, marinara or pizza sauce for dipping or Five Minute Spicy Marinara, recipe follows
2 tablespoons (two turns around the pan) extra-virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic crushed
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 (32 ounce) can chunky style crushed tomatoes
Salt and pepper
1 teaspoon Italian dried seasoning
1 handful Italian parsley leaves, chopped

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 425 F.
  • Brown sausage in a small skillet in a drizzle of olive oil. Transfer the cooked crumbled sausage to a paper towel lined plate to drain.
  • Combine sausage with ricotta, parsley, garlic, Parmigiano, nutmeg, pepper, and pimento. Roll out doughs and halve cross-wise. Place a dough rectangle on a nonstick cookie sheet. Use 1/2 cup mozzarella on half of each dough rectangle and pile a mound of filling on half of the total area. Fold dough over and pinch edges to seal. The result is a rectangular turnover.
  • For half-moon shaped calzones, trim excess dough. Roll dough bits into strips, tie in knots and brush with garlic oil and cheese. Garlic knots are fun to dip at the table.
  • Bake calzones 15 minutes or until golden all over. Serve calzones with warm tomato, marinara, or pizza sauce for dipping.
  • Cook's Note: For an additional time saver, 2 packages precooked sausage crumbles, 8 ounces each, may be substituted for raw Italian sausage used in the above recipe.
  • Add olive oil to medium saucepan over moderate heat. Add garlic and crushed pepper to the heated olive oil; when pepper snaps and garlic sizzles, stir in crushed tomatoes. Season sauce with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook for five minutes and stir in parsley. Serve.
  • Yield: 4 servings

ZESTY CALZONE



Zesty Calzone image

This family-friendly calzone is great when you need a quick weekend lunch, but it's also perfect when you're watching the big game on TV. -Mary Ann Saam, Cridersville, Ohio

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 tube (13.8 ounces) refrigerated pizza crust
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
8 thin slices deli ham
8 thin slices hard salami
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
1/4 cup chopped tomato
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 425°. In a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan, pat dough into a 13x8-in. rectangle. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese to within 1/2 in. of edges. , On half of the dough, layer the ham, salami, onion, green pepper and tomato to within 1 in. of edges. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Fold dough over filling; pinch edges to seal. Cut slits in top. , Bake 20-22 minutes or golden brown. Let stand 10 minutes. Cut into four pieces.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 474 calories, Fat 16g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 56mg cholesterol, Sodium 1659mg sodium, Carbohydrate 51g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 31g protein.

CHEESY SPICY BUFFALO CHICKEN CALZONE



Cheesy Spicy Buffalo Chicken Calzone image

Provided by Katie Lee Biegel

Time 1h

Yield 10 to 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

Nonstick cooking spray, for the baking sheet and football pan
2 slices provolone cheese
Two 11-ounce tubes refrigerated thin-crust pizza dough
1/2 cup Buffalo wing sauce
1/2 rotisserie chicken, skin and bones discarded, meat shredded
3 cups grated Swiss or mozzarella cheese
3 scallions, white and light green parts only, thinly sliced
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
Olive oil, for drizzling
Garlic salt, for sprinkling
Ranch dressing, for serving
Celery sticks, for serving

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Measure the imprinted stitching on an approximately 12-by-8-inch football-shaped baking pan and cut the provolone into 2 long strips and 7 shorter strips to imitate; set aside. Spray the football pan with the cooking spray.
  • Unroll 1 tube of dough and cut in half widthwise. Bake one of the halves on the prepared baking sheet until lightly done, about 8 minutes. (Reserve the other half of the dough.) Use a knife or kitchen shears to cut the baked dough into a football shape slightly smaller than the pan.
  • In a medium bowl, toss together the Buffalo sauce and shredded chicken.
  • Unroll the remaining tube of dough and drape into the prepared football pan, letting the extra dough hang over the sides. Fill with half of the chicken mixture, half of the grated Swiss or mozzarella and half of the scallions. Top with the football-shaped crust. Add the remaining chicken mixture, grated cheese and scallions. Add the blue cheese. Top with the reserved uncooked dough half. Use a knife to trim the excess edges of dough, leaving a little extra to pinch the 2 edges of dough together. Put the pan on a baking sheet.
  • Bake until the crust is just beginning to brown, about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and invert the football pan onto the baking sheet to unmold the calzone. Drizzle the crust with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic salt. Continue to bake until golden brown, 5 to 10 minutes. Arrange the strips of provolone to mimic the football stitching; the heat of the calzone will slightly melt the cheese and adhere it to the football. Let stand 5 minutes.
  • Slice and serve with ranch dressing for dipping, and celery sticks on the side.

REAL ITALIAN CALZONES



Real Italian Calzones image

This is real calzone, because there is no tomato sauce INSIDE of it! We eat it at least once a week. Have a bowl of tomato or spaghetti sauce on the table for people to top their calzone with, if desired.

Provided by Jenny

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 1h30m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
1 cup warm water
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, divided
1 teaspoon olive oil
½ cup ricotta cheese
1 ½ cups shredded Cheddar cheese
½ cup diced pepperoni
½ cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1 tablespoon dried basil leaves
1 egg, beaten

Steps:

  • To Make Dough: In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add the oil, sugar and salt; mix in 1 cup of the flour until smooth. Gradually stir in the rest of the flour, until dough is smooth and workable. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes, or until it is elastic. Lay dough in a bowl containing 1 teaspoon olive oil, then flip the dough, cover and let rise for 40 minutes, or until almost doubled.
  • To Make Filling: While dough is rising, combine the ricotta cheese, Cheddar cheese, pepperoni, mushrooms and basil leaves in a large bowl. Mix well, cover bowl and refrigerate to chill.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  • When dough is ready, punch it down and separate it into 2 equal parts. Roll parts out into thin circles on a lightly floured surface. Fill each circle with 1/2 of the cheese/meat filling and fold over, securing edges by folding in and pressing with a fork. Brush the top of each calzone with egg and place on a lightly greased cookie sheet.
  • Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 30 minutes. Serve hot.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 334.6 calories, Carbohydrate 31.6 g, Cholesterol 63.6 mg, Fat 16.7 g, Fiber 1.6 g, Protein 13.8 g, SaturatedFat 7.2 g, Sodium 667 mg, Sugar 0.9 g

CLASSIC MEAT LOVER'S CALZONES RECIPE BY TASTY



Classic Meat Lover's Calzones Recipe by Tasty image

Making a calzone from scratch might seem intimidating but this meat lover's calzone recipe makes it easy. Have fun kneading the dough, rolling it out, and stuffing it with a delicious sausage filling. If you aren't sharing these, freeze them and reheat later for a quick lunch or dinner.

Provided by Katie Aubin

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h40m

Yield 4 serving

Number Of Ingredients 14

¾ cup warm water
1 ½ teaspoons instant yeast, (1/2 packet)
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 links Italian sausage, casings removed and sausage crumbled
½ yellow onion, diced
½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus a pinch
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ cup marinara sauce, plus more for dipping
8 slices deli ham
20 slices pepperoni
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 large egg

Steps:

  • Make the dough: In a medium bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, flour, and salt. Mix with a rubber spatula until well-combined and the dough comes together into a ball.
  • Lightly flour a clean surface, then turn the dough out and knead for 1-2 minutes to smooth and encourage gluten development. Shape the dough into a ball.
  • Drizzle the olive oil in a clean large bowl. Add the dough ball and turn to coat in the oil. Cover with a kitchen towel and let rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
  • Preheat the oven to 425˚F (220˚C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • While the dough is rising, make the filling: Add the sausage to a medium nonstick pan over medium heat and cook until no longer pink, 5-6 minutes. Add the onion, salt, and pepper and continue to cook until the sausage is browned, about 5 minutes more. Remove from the heat and let cool.
  • After the dough has risen, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into 4 portions, then roll each into and round about ¼-inch (½ cm) thick.
  • Spread ¼ of the sauce over one half of each dough round, leaving a ½-inch (1 cm) border along the edge. Top each one with 2 slices of ham, 5 pepperoni, ¼ of the sausage and onion mixture, and ¼ cup (25 G) of mozzarella cheese.
  • Lightly beat the egg with a pinch of salt. Brush the egg wash on the border of the dough, fold the other half over, and press the edges together. Starting from one corner, fold the dough over itself in a twist. Tuck the other corner underneath. Transfer the calzones to the prepared baking sheet. Brush lightly with egg wash and score the tops with a knife to allow steam to escape.
  • Bake for 15-17 minutes, until golden brown. Let cool for 5 minutes.
  • Serve the calzones with marinara sauce for dipping, if desired.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 619 calories, Carbohydrate 61 grams, Fat 28 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 27 grams, Sugar 3 grams

Tips:

  • For a crispier crust, brush the calzone with olive oil before baking.
  • To prevent the calzone from drying out, place a pan of water on the bottom rack of the oven while baking.
  • For a cheesy calzone, use a combination of mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses.
  • To add flavor, add cooked vegetables, meats, or herbs to the filling.
  • To make a vegetarian calzone, use a variety of vegetables, such as spinach, mushrooms, onions, and bell peppers.
  • To make a meat-lovers calzone, use a combination of cooked sausage, pepperoni, and ground beef.
  • To add a spicy kick, add some red pepper flakes or chili powder to the filling.
  • For a unique twist, try using different types of dough, such as whole wheat dough or pizza dough.
  • Be creative and experiment with different fillings and toppings to create your own unique calzone.

Conclusion:

Calzones are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With so many different ways to make them, there's sure to be a calzone that everyone will love. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a special dish to serve at a party, calzones are a great option. So next time you're in the mood for something different, give calzones a try.

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