Servings
Font
Back
Classic Calzones
4.5 from 75 votes

Classic Calzones

Classic Calzones feature hand-stretched bread dough filled with ricotta, mozzarella, provolone, and optional fillings like sausage or vegetables. The dough is made from bread flour, instant yeast, salt, olive oil, and warm water, yielding a soft and elastic base. A tomato garlic dipping sauce complements the calzones for dipping. Baking at high heat creates golden, crisp crusts enclosing melted cheeses and fillings inside.

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Additional Time
2 hrs 30 mins
Total Time
3 hrs 30 mins
Servings: 6 calzones
Calories: 863 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian, American

Ingredients

For the Dough:
  • 4 cups bread flour
  • 2¼ teaspoons instant yeast
  • 1½ teaspoons salt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1½ cups water warm (about 105 degrees F, 1 tablespoon
For the Filling:
  • 15 ounce ricotta cheese container
  • 16 ounces mozzarella cheese shredded, divided
  • 16 ounces provolone cheese shredded, divided
  • toppings of your choice
  • olive oil for brushing
For the Tomato Dipping Sauce:
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 28 ounce crushed tomatoes canned
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Make the Dough: In the bowl of a standing mixer, whisk together the flour, yeast, and salt to combine. Attach the dough hook and with the mixer running at medium-low speed, add the olive oil, then gradually add the water; continue to mix until mixture comes together and a smooth, elastic dough forms, about 10 minutes. Coat a large bowl with non-stick cooking spray; transfer the ball of dough to the bowl, turn to coat, and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm, draft-free area until doubled in size, about 1½ to 2 hours.
  2. Prepare the Filling: While the dough rises, combine the ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella and half of the provolone, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until needed. If using any sausage or vegetables for the filling, saute them and place on paper towel-lined plate to drain.
  3. Assemble the Calzones: Adjust an oven rack to the lowest position, place a pizza stone on the oven rack, and preheat the oven to 500 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray the parchment with nonstick cooking spray.
  4. Turn the risen dough out onto unfloured work surface. Divide the dough into six equal pieces and gently shape each piece of dough into a ball. Transfer the balls of dough to the baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap lightly sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Let the dough rest at least 15 minutes, but no more than 30 minutes.
  5. Working with one piece of dough at a time, roll into a 9-inch circle. Spread one-sixth of the ricotta mixture on the bottom half of the dough round, leaving a 1-inch boarder. Top with your desired fillings, then top with one-sixth of the remaining mozzarella and provolone cheeses. Fold the top half of the dough over the filled bottom half, leaving a ½-inch layer of the bottom layer uncovered. With your fingertips, lightly press around the cheese filling and out to the edge to lightly seal the dough. Begining at one end of the calzone, place an index finger diagonally across the edge and gently pull the bottom layer of dough over the tip of your index finger; press into dough to seal. Repeat until the calzone is fully sealed. With a paring knife, cut 5 slits, about 1½ inches long, diagonally across the top of the calzone. Repeat with the remaining balls of dough until all of the calzones are assembled.
  6. Brush the tops and sides of each of the calzones with olive oil. Dust a pizza peel with flour and transfer three of the calzones to the baking stone. Bake until golden brown, about 11 to 15 minutes. Remove to a wire cooling rack and allow to cool for at least 5 minutes before serving. Once you remove the first batch, bake the second batch of calzones.
  7. Make the Tomato Dipping Sauce: When you put the first batch of calzones in the oven, start the dipping sauce. Place the garlic and olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. When the garlic starts to sizzle, add the crushed tomatoes. Simmer, uncovered, until the sauce is thickened, about 15 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Notes

  • Nutritional values are calculated per serving to aid portion control.
  • Preheat the oven with a pizza stone on the lowest rack to achieve a crisp crust.
  • Precook any sausage or vegetable fillings to remove excess moisture and prevent sogginess.

Nutrition Information

Calories 863kcal (43%) Carbohydrates 77g (26%) Protein 58g (116%) Fat 58g (89%) Saturated Fat 30g (150%) Cholesterol 148mg (49%) Sodium 1509mg (63%) Potassium 750mg (16%) Fiber 5g (20%) Sugar 7g (14%) Vitamin A 1775IU (36%) Vitamin C 12.5mg (14%) Calcium 1161mg (116%) Iron 3.6mg (20%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6 calzones

Amount Per Serving

Calories 863

% Daily Value*

Calories 863kcal 43%
Carbohydrates 77g 26%
Protein 58g 116%
Fat 58g 89%
Saturated Fat 30g 150%
Cholesterol 148mg 49%
Sodium 1509mg 63%
Potassium 750mg 16%
Fiber 5g 20%
Sugar 7g 14%
Vitamin A 1775IU 36%
Vitamin C 12.5mg 14%
Calcium 1161mg 116%
Iron 3.6mg 20%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.