Homemade Easy Calzones Ready in a Snap!

Making calzones at home is really easy with this recipe. It covers everything from quick dough to tasty fillings. You’ll get a great dinner together fast.

Want a homemade meal full of flavor that’s quick to make? Try making easy calzones! They are fun to make and eat. No matter your cooking skill, you’ll nail this recipe.

The key to a great calzone is the dough. Our quick dough recipe creates a soft, chewy crust. You can choose from many fillings, like different cheeses, veggies, or meats. Make the calzones your own way.

Calzones aren’t just for dinner; they’re perfect for lunch or parties too. Serve them warm with some marinara sauce. Your guests will thank you for such a delicious meal.

Key Takeaways:

• Easy calzones are a delicious and satisfying homemade meal option.
• You can make your own quick calzone dough for a soft and chewy crust.
• Get creative with your calzone fillings and customize them to your liking.
• Calzones are versatile and can be enjoyed for dinner, lunch, or as a party dish.
• Serve calzones warm with marinara sauce for an extra burst of flavor.

Easy Calzone Dough Recipe

To start making easy calzones, first create a quick homemade dough. Mix lukewarm water, yeast, olive oil, honey, salt, and flour together. This mixture will form a soft, smooth, and stretchy dough. After kneading the dough, shape it into calzones or a big pizza. Then, bake until it turns lightly brown.

By making your own calzone dough, you control the flavors and textures. Feel free to change the salt and olive oil amounts to match your tastes. Plus, homemade dough means your calzones will be fresh. They won’t have any unwanted additives or preservatives.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups lukewarm water
• 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the lukewarm water and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until the yeast becomes foamy.
2. Add the olive oil, honey, and salt to the yeast mixture and stir to combine.
3. Gradually add the flour, one cup at a time, stirring well after each addition. Continue adding flour until the dough becomes too thick to stir.
4. Transfer the dough onto a clean, floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
5. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
6. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
7. Once the dough has risen, punch it down to deflate it and transfer it back onto the floured surface.
8. Divide the dough into equal portions, depending on the desired size of your calzones.
9. Roll out each portion of dough into a circle or oval shape, about 1/4 inch thick.
10. Place your desired fillings on one half of the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
11. Fold the other half of the dough over the fillings and press the edges together to seal.
12. Transfer the filled calzones onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
13. Bake the calzones in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the crust is lightly browned.
14. Remove the calzones from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving.

With the easy calzone dough ready, next comes the fun part – picking and making your calzone fillings. But first, let’s enjoy the sight of a freshly baked calzone.

Delicious Calzone Fillings

The best thing about calzones is their endless filling options. You can stick with classic tastes or try out new ones. There’s a calzone filling out there for every preference. Here are top picks that are tasty and simple to make:

Cheese Blend

Mixing parmesan, ricotta, and mozzarella makes a great filling. Ricotta’s creaminess, mozzarella’s melt, and parmesan’s bite are perfect together. This cheesy blend makes a delicious calzone you’ll want more of.

Sausage and Pepperoni

Meat lovers should try sausage and pepperoni. The sausage’s smokiness pairs well with pepperoni’s zest. Together, they make a filling calzone that meets any meat craving.

Sautéed Veggies

For a veggie option, try sautéed veggies. Bell peppers, mushrooms, and onions cooked in olive oil are tasty and colorful. They create a filling that’s both healthy and appealing to everyone.

“The beauty of calzones lies in the endless possibilities for fillings.”

Adding toppings like cooked tomato sauce or marinara and parmesan cheese can boost your calzone’s taste.

Calzones are versatile, fitting any flavor preference. Be creative with your fillings and discover your ideal calzone.

With these delicious calzone fillings in mind, let’s look at how to make your calzones uniquely yours in the next section.

How to Customize Your Calzones

Making calzones at home lets you choose your fillings. Add what you love like mushrooms, onions, or even pineapple. It’s all up to you!

You can have fun with your calzones, mixing meats, cheeses, and veggies. Here are some cool ideas for your next calzone:

• Pizza Lovers: Fill your calzone with your top pizza toppings. Choose from pepperoni to gourmet stuff like prosciutto and arugula.
• Vegetarian Delight: Pack your calzone with tasty veggies. Mix mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes for a great veggie choice.
• International Twist: Try something new with global tastes. Use curry, teriyaki sauce, or feta cheese for a world of flavor.

Don’t forget about different cheeses too. Using mozzarella to goat cheese can change your calzone’s taste big time.

Quote:

“Customizing your calzones lets you make every bite how you like it. You can pick from bold and spicy or mix savory and sweet. You’re sure to find a perfect calzone for your taste.” – Chef Maria Rossi

When you customize your calzones, you make meals that everyone will love. It’s perfect for any gathering or special moment. Personalizing your calzones will wow your guests.

So, start mixing up your fillings, flavors, and textures. The more you experiment with your calzones, the more delicious combos you’ll find.

Tips for Baking Perfect Calzones

Mastering the art of baking calzones is easy with the right tips. Follow these guidelines to bake golden, tasty calzones every time.

1. Preheat your oven to the optimal temperature

First, heat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). This gets the oven ready to perfectly bake your calzones. It helps give them a crispy, golden crust.

2. Use a baking sheet for even cooking

For even cooking, a baking sheet is essential. Arrange your calzones on it, spacing them out. This ensures heat flows around each one, preventing uneven spots.

3. Bake until the crust is lightly browned

Calzones usually bake in 15 to 20 minutes. But it’s the crust’s color that tells you they’re done. Aim for a light golden brown crust. It means the dough is perfectly baked.

4. Rotate the calzones for even cooking

Rotate them halfway through baking for uniform cooking. This step helps heat reach every part of the calzone, cooking it evenly.

These tips will help you make perfect calzones with crispy crusts and tasty fillings. Don’t be afraid to try different ingredients and flavors to make unique calzones.

Wood-Fired Calzone Variation

If you have a wood-fired oven, try making calzones in it for a special treat. The intense heat gives the calzones a unique smoky taste. This taste takes them to a whole new level of goodness.

Preparing the Oven

To get perfect wood-fired calzones, preheat your oven to between 550°F and 575°F (290-300°C). This high temperature cooks the calzones quickly. It also makes sure they have a crispy crust.

Baking the Calzones

After heating the oven, put your calzones on a preheated pizza stone or baking sheet. Remember to turn them halfway through baking. This helps cook them evenly on all sides.

Bake them for about 10 to 15 minutes, until the crust is golden brown. Watch them closely, as cooking times can vary. You will get a mix of flavors and textures that’s amazing.

Enjoy the smoky scent and lovely crispiness of your wood-fired calzones. They will impress everyone at your next event or dinner.

Easy Calzones with Pillsbury Artisan Pizza Crust

If you’re searching for an easy calzone dough, Pillsbury Artisan Pizza Crust is ideal. It’s pre-made, so you save time but still enjoy tasty results.

Begin by unrolling the Pillsbury Artisan Pizza Crust and cutting it into squares. This ready-to-use dough cuts down on prep time, letting you make your calzones fast.

Pro Tip: For a more artisanal touch, you can roll out the Pillsbury dough into individual circles instead of squares.

After preparing the dough, add your favorite calzone fillings. You might like cheese and pepperoni or something more unique. Pillsbury Artisan Pizza Crust is a great base for any ingredients.

Fold over the dough and press the edges to seal them. This keeps all the tasty fillings inside the calzones as they cook.

Now, it’s time to bake. Heat your oven to 400 degrees and place the calzones on a baking sheet. They should bake until golden brown, about 12-15 minutes.

Pro Tip: For a crispier crust, brush the top of the calzones with olive oil or melted butter before baking.

The Pillsbury Artisan Pizza Crust makes calzone-making simple and fun. You get ready-made dough and can still customize your calzones.

Next time you want easy calzones, choose Pillsbury Artisan Pizza Crust. You’ll have a quick, delicious meal everyone will enjoy.

Conclusion

Whether you’re an expert or just starting, homemade calzones are great for an easy dinner. They’re filled with endless possibilities and cook quickly. Easy calzones make a meal the whole family will like.

Making your own calzones is fun with a basic dough recipe. Mixing flour, yeast, water, and olive oil creates a soft dough. Fill it with cheeses, meats, and veggies to make it your own.

If you’re in a hurry, try ready-made dough like the Pillsbury Artisan Pizza Crust. It’s quick to roll out, fill, and bake into a tasty calzone.

Forget takeout and make homemade calzones instead. They’re not just easy to make but also let you be creative. Try making them and enjoy homemade comfort food with your loved ones.

Source Links

• https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/244766/perfect-every-time-pizza-or-calzone-dough/
• https://hugskissesandsnot.com/semi-homemade-easy-calzone-recipe/
• https://www.theperfectloaf.com/calzone-recipe/