Here’s a guide to making homemade calzones—they’re easier than most people think and perfect for customizing with your favorite fillings:
Ingredients (makes 4 calzones)
For the Dough:
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 cup warm water (110°F / 45°C)
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp olive oil
For the Filling:
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese (optional)
- 1/2 cup cooked vegetables or meats (pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, spinach, etc.)
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano or Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup marinara sauce for dipping
Method
1. Prepare the Dough
- In a small bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Let it sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- In a large bowl, mix flour and salt. Add yeast mixture and olive oil.
- Knead until smooth, about 5–7 minutes.
- Cover and let rise 1 hour until doubled in size.
2. Preheat Oven
- Preheat to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Assemble Calzones
- Punch down the dough and divide into 4 equal portions.
- Roll each portion into a 6–8 inch circle.
- Place filling on one half of the dough, leaving a 1-inch border.
- Fold dough over and crimp edges to seal.
4. Bake
- Brush calzones with a little olive oil or beaten egg for a golden crust.
- Bake 15–20 minutes until golden brown.
5. Serve
- Let cool 5 minutes, serve with marinara sauce on the side.
Tips
- Don’t overfill; too much filling can make them burst.
- Use pre-cooked meats or vegetables to avoid soggy calzones.
- Experiment with flavors: BBQ chicken, spinach & feta, or classic pepperoni.
💡 Shortcut: You can use store-bought pizza dough to save time—assembly and baking remain the same, and the calzones will still taste homemade.
If you want, I can give a 5-ingredient ultra-fast calzone version that’s ready in under 30 minutes for a quick weeknight meal. Do you want me to share that?
