This easy-to-make delectable Homemade Calzone Recipe makes fresh baked hot pockets out of pizza crust filled with marinara sauce, pepperoni, and melted mozzarella. They are always a hit with family and friends, and with a few simple tips, you can have these in the oven in no time flat.
I love to serve them for weekend lunches and family movie nights. For a complete company-worthy meal, serve with Italian Chopped Salad and Fresh Strawberry Lemonade.
Why this recipe works!
- Everyone loves it. I mean, what is not to love about your favorite pizza toppings, including plenty of cheese packed in a pizza dough pocket and baked to golden perfection?
- A lot of grocery stores sell fresh ready-made pizza dough. I usually find it in the deli section next to the fresh mozzarella and other fresh shredded and grated cheeses. So if you are pushed for time, this is an excellent alternative.
- Everyone in the family can customize their calzone to suit their taste. Bacon, ham, pepperoni, mushrooms, spinach, black olives, and onions are just a few choices to stuff them with.
How to make a Calzone
First, lightly flour your work surface and cut the pizza dough into four equal portions using a pizza cutter. Now using a floured rolling pin roll those pieces into circles. Then spoon a little marinara in the middle and spread it out, leaving at least a 1/2 inch of the edge sauce free. Next, layer your meats, cheeses, and veggies.
Now simply fold the dough over, creating a half circle. Use your fingers to roll the edges together and then crimp using a fork. Next, using a sharp knife, cut 3 slits on the top of each calzone. Place on a baking pan covered with parchment paper. Now beat the egg with a little water and brush lightly over the top. Finally, sprinkle with a bit of dried oregano, marjoram, or parsley and bake for about 15 minutes or until the dough is golden brown.
Recipe notes and tips
- Ready-made pizza dough is available at many grocery stores. It also freezes well, so if it is a hit-and-miss situation at your neighborhood store, bring an extra pound home and store it in the freezer. If you have time, feel free to make a homemade pizza dough recipe. It is quite easy to make, and you will love the results.
- You can roll or pat out the pizza dough into a circle. If you have been working with pizza dough for a while, you are probably pretty good at patting it out into a circle.
- Meats such as ham, bacon, hamburger, and sausage should be cooked prior to stuffing them in the calzones.
- Don’t overfill the calzone, as you have to be able to seal and crimp the edges. Use a fork to crimp the edges. I like to crimp them twice, once after I have stuffed them and one more final time after I have brushed on the egg wash.
- Egg wash is so easy to make, and it really adds a nice touch with a little bit of gloss and a nice golden brown finish.
- To reheat, remove the calzone from the refrigerator about 30 minutes prior to reheating to bring it to room temperature. Wrap it in a loose aluminum foil tent and place it on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 400-degree oven for about 12-15 minutes or until warmed through.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
What is the difference between Calzone and Stromboli?
Basically, they have all the same ingredients, like pizza dough, marinara (or pizza sauce), cheese, and other goodies like pepperoni, bacon, ham, and onions; however, they are shaped differently. With a calzone, a standard (1 lb) pizza dough is cut into fours and rolled into small circles, then the sauce, cheese, and other fillings are added, and the dough is pulled over itself and crimped, creating a closed pocket. With stromboli a standard (1 lb) pizza dough is rolled out to a rectangle, and sauce, cheese, and toppings are added. Then it is rolled up like a cinnamon roll. Both are equally delectable, albeit different.
Calzone Fillings
- Sauce – pizza sauce, marinara, or even Alfredo sauce
- Cheese – mozzarella, provolone, Parmesan Cheese, ricotta cheese, or provel
- Meats – pepperoni, ham, bacon, Italian sausage, hamburger
- Vegetables – spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, Pickled Jalapenos.
Try these next
Homemade Calzone Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb pizza dough homemade or store-bought pizza dough
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce or pizza sauce
- 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni
- 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1/4 cup shredded provolone
- sliced mushrooms optional
- chopped onion optional
- baby spinach optional
- diced bell peppers optional
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon cool water
- 1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram or oregano
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or brush with olive oil.
- Lightly flour your work surface and cut the pizza dough into four equal portions using a pizza cutter. Using a floured rolling pin, roll the pizza dough into 1/4-inch thick circles.
- Spoon 2 tablespoons marinara onto each dough circle and spread it out, leaving at least a 1/2 inch of the edge sauce free. Divide your pepperoni and cheese evenly and add any desired vegetables.
- Fold the dough over, creating a half circle, and crimp the edges, first rolling together with your fingers and then crimping with a fork. Cut 3 slits in the top of each one.
- Beat the egg and water together. Brush lightly over the exposed dough. Sprinkle with dried marjoram. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
Video
Notes
- Ready-made pizza dough is available at many grocery stores. It also freezes well, so if it is a hit-and-miss situation at your neighborhood store, bring an extra pound home and store it in the freezer. If you have time, feel free to make homemade pizza dough. It is quite easy to make, and you will love the results.
- You can roll or pat out the pizza dough into a circle. If you have been working with pizza dough for a while, you are probably pretty good at patting it out into a circle.
- Meats such as ham, bacon, hamburger, and sausage should be cooked prior to stuffing them in the calzones.
- Don't overfill the calzone, as you have to be able to seal and crimp the edges. Use a fork to crimp the edges. I like to crimp them twice, once after I have stuffed them and one more final time after I have brushed on the egg wash.
- Egg wash is so easy to make, and it really adds a nice touch with a little bit of gloss and a nice golden brown finish.
- To reheat, remove the calzone from the refrigerator about 30 minutes prior to reheating to bring it to room temperature. Wrap it in a loose aluminum foil tent and place it on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 400-degree oven for about 12-15 minutes or until warm.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
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Beth
Absolutely delicious homemade calzones! Perfectly crispy crust and flavorful filling – all done in just 35 minutes! Perfect!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Beth! So glad that you love my calzone recipe!
TAYLER ROSS
I made these calzones for dinner last night and they were perfect! Such a classic done really well!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Tayler!
Sara
This was everything a gourmet meal should be, and then some! Turned out perfectly hearty and delicious; definitely a new favorite recipe!
Kerri
These homemade Calzones look amazing! They’re way easier than I thought calzones were!
Eva
Nothing beats homemade calzones! This recipe is super easy to follow, the kids loved it! Thanks.
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Eva!
dina and bruce miller
Growing up in Kansas City, I would eat calzones at a local mall restaruant. This recipe brought back memories. Thank you. So good.
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine!
Allyson
I enjoyed this recipe very much. I loved the texture of the dough! The overall dish was phenomenal.
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much, Allyson! I am so glad that you liked the calzones!
Casey
OOH these came out so delicious and so cheesy! My entire family enjoyed them.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Casey! So glad that you liked them!
Casey
My husband and I love calzones and eat them all the time when we go out, though I’ve never made them at home for some reason. I’m taking this as a sign that I should!
Maayke
I LOVE calzone, and this recipe was amazing. Best calzones we have had in a while. Thank you!
Gervin Khan
Wow! This calzone recipe looks incredibly delicious and very yummy! An instant favorite for many! Plus it comes from our comfort food “Pizza”. I’ll definitely make this at home! Thanks!
MELANIE E
This is something I’d love to try and make myself. I’ve never tried a calzone before but it sounds really tasty.
Patricia Chamberlain
My family loves calzones, but I have never made them at home! This recipe looks easy to follow, so I may have to try soon!
Alice Mola
What an awesome recipe and seems simple enough to get kids involved! I like that these can be customized as we like with different fillings and even with difference sauces besides tomato! Looks delicious.
Olga
I love calzones but Never tried to cook them at home. So delicious and not as difficult as I thought.
Steve
I love calzones you can stuff anything in them to make you happy.
Beth Pierce
So true!