Easy Homemade Calzone Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Easy Homemade Calzone Recipe brings the best of pizza into a folded, hand-held form. With golden, crispy dough and a warm, cheesy filling of your favorite meats, vegetables, and sauces, calzones are customizable, freezer-friendly, and ideal for weeknight dinners or meal prep. They’re everything you love about pizza—wrapped up and ready to go.

ingredients

this Recipe

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

pizza doughricotta cheeseshredded mozzarella cheesegrated Parmesan cheeseItalian seasoninggarlic powderolive oilmarinara or pizza saucemeats (pepperoni, sausage, ham)vegetables (mushrooms, spinach, bell peppers, onions)egg (for egg wash)

directions

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Roll out the pizza dough into 8-inch circles on a lightly floured surface.

In a bowl, mix ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.

Spread a few spoonfuls of the cheese mixture on half of each dough circle, leaving a border.

Add your desired meats and vegetables on top of the cheese layer.

Fold the dough over to form a half-moon shape. Seal the edges by pressing with a fork.

Brush the tops with beaten egg for a golden finish.

Cut a small slit on top of each calzone to let steam escape.

Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp.

Serve warm with marinara or pizza sauce on the side for dipping.

Servings and timing

This recipe yields 4 calzones.
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 15–20 minutes
Total time: 35–40 minutes

Variations

Use pesto instead of marinara for a herbier flavor.
Add jalapeños or crushed red pepper for a spicy kick.
Make mini calzones for appetizers or lunchboxes.
Use whole wheat dough for a healthier twist.

storage/reheating

Store leftover calzones in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheat in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10–12 minutes for best texture.
Freeze unbaked or baked calzones for up to 2 months; thaw before baking or reheating.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought dough?
Yes, refrigerated or frozen pizza dough works perfectly.

Do calzones need sauce inside?
Traditionally, the sauce is served on the side, but you can include a small amount inside.

How do I prevent calzones from leaking?
Don’t overfill, and seal edges tightly with a fork or pinch and roll method.

Can I make them ahead of time?
Yes, assemble and refrigerate unbaked calzones up to 24 hours in advance.

What cheese works best?
A mix of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan gives a creamy, melty filling.

Can I make them vegetarian?
Absolutely—load up with veggies and skip the meat.

Is egg wash necessary?
No, but it gives a beautiful golden finish.

Can I use bread dough instead of pizza dough?
Yes, but pizza dough has a lighter, chewier texture.

How do I know when they’re done?
The tops should be golden brown and slightly puffed.

Can I grill calzones?
Yes, use indirect heat and grill until golden with melted filling.

Conclusion

This Easy Homemade Calzone Recipe delivers all the flavor of pizza in a fun, portable form. Whether you’re loading them with meat, veggies, or extra cheese, calzones are a customizable comfort food that’s perfect for sharing—or keeping all to yourself.

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