Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Calzone
- Perfect for Easy Weeknight Dinners
- How to Customize Your Calzone Filling
- Serving Ideas and Pairings
- Make-Ahead and Freezer Tips
- Betty’s Final Thoughts
- Notes & Tips
Key Takeaways
This homemade calzone recipe from Betty Cooks is the ultimate comfort food for busy weeknights. It’s one of those easy recipes you can whip up in under an hour, filled with gooey cheese, savory meats, and fresh vegetables. Great for dinner recipes, customizable for every taste, and perfect for meal prep or freezer storage.
Why You’ll Love This Calzone
There’s something magical about biting into a golden, crispy crust and finding a cheesy, savory surprise inside. This calzone is one of my go-to easy recipes because it’s fast to prepare, family-friendly, and endlessly adaptable. Whether you’re cooking for picky eaters or adventurous foodies, everyone will find something to love.
Perfect for Easy Weeknight Dinners
We all have those evenings when time is short but the craving for something satisfying is strong. This calzone recipe checks all the boxes—it’s quick, delicious, and makes recipes for dinner that will leave everyone full and happy. Serve it with a side salad or roasted veggies for a complete meal.
How to Customize Your Calzone Filling
One of the best things about this dish is how easily it can be tailored to your preferences. Swap in grilled chicken, use more vegetables, or try different cheeses. For those who love experimenting, you can turn it into a quick and easy recipes project by using whatever you already have on hand.
Serving Ideas and Pairings
This calzone pairs wonderfully with marinara or a creamy garlic sauce for dipping. Add a fresh garden salad and you have the perfect balance. If you’re looking for creative plating ideas, check out more food receipt easy recipes on Betty Cooks for inspiration.
Make-Ahead and Freezer Tips
You can prepare the calzones ahead of time and refrigerate them until you’re ready to bake. They also freeze well, making them one of the most practical sweet easy recipes for meal prep. Simply bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Betty’s Final Thoughts
If you love hearty, homemade comfort food, this calzone will quickly become a regular on your menu. As with many air fryer desserts easy recipes or savory dishes, the joy is in making something delicious from scratch. And when it’s this simple, you’ll want to make it again and again.
Notes & Tips
For best results, don’t overfill the calzones—this prevents leaking during baking. Always seal the edges well, and brush the tops with egg wash for that perfect golden crust. Experiment with different fillings to keep things fresh and exciting.
Homemade Calzone – Easy Recipes for Delicious Italian Flavor
Ingredients
- 1 lb pizza dough, store-bought or homemade
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni or cooked sausage
- 1/2 cup diced bell peppers
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Flour, for dusting
- Olive oil, for brushing
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Divide the pizza dough into 4 equal portions. Roll each portion into an 8-inch circle on a lightly floured surface.
- Spread 2–3 tablespoons of pizza sauce on half of each dough circle, leaving the edges clear.
- Layer with mozzarella cheese, ricotta, pepperoni or sausage, bell peppers, and olives.
- Fold the dough over the filling to form a half-moon shape. Press and seal the edges firmly using a fork.
- Place calzones on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with beaten egg for a golden finish.
- Cut small slits on top of each calzone to allow steam to escape.
- Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Brush with olive oil before serving, if desired. Serve warm with extra pizza sauce for dipping.
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