Calzone Pizza Recipe: A Deliciously Stuffed Delight
Are you ready to elevate your pizza night? Forget the ordinary; let's dive into the art of making a delicious calzone. This stuffed pizza pocket is a culinary adventure, offering a delightful twist on the classic pizza experience. This recipe will guide you through each step, ensuring a perfectly crispy crust and a molten, flavorful filling that will leave you craving more.
What is a Calzone?
A calzone (pronounced kal-ZONE-ay) is essentially a folded pizza. Instead of a flat, open-faced pie, the calzone's ingredients are encased within a dough pocket, creating a warm, comforting, and surprisingly portable meal. It's the perfect blend of pizza's savory goodness and the satisfying texture of a warm, doughy bread.
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe provides enough for two generously sized calzones. Feel free to double or halve the recipe depending on your needs.
For the Dough:
- 1 cup warm water (105-115°F)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Filling:
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ½ cup ricotta cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup pizza sauce (your favorite recipe or store-bought)
- ½ cup cooked Italian sausage, crumbled (optional, but highly recommended!)
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
For Finishing:
- Olive oil
- Egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water) – for a golden-brown crust
Step-by-Step Calzone Making Instructions:
1. Making the Dough:
- In a large bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- Add flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. Add a little more flour if the dough is too sticky.
- Add olive oil to the dough and knead for another minute.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
2. Preparing the Filling:
- In a medium bowl, combine mozzarella, ricotta, Parmesan, pizza sauce, sausage (if using), basil, and oregano. Mix well.
3. Assembling the Calzones:
- Punch down the risen dough and divide it in half.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll each dough half into a 10-inch circle.
- Spoon about ½ cup of the filling onto one half of each circle, leaving a 1-inch border.
- Fold the other half of the dough over the filling, pressing the edges firmly to seal. Crimp the edges with a fork for a decorative finish.
- Brush the tops of the calzones with egg wash.
4. Baking the Calzones:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place the calzones on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
5. Serving Your Masterpiece:
- Let the calzones cool slightly before slicing and serving. Enjoy them hot, with a side salad or your favorite dipping sauce.
Tips for Calzone Success:
- Don't overfill: Too much filling can make the calzones difficult to seal and may cause them to burst during baking.
- Get creative with fillings: Experiment with different cheeses, vegetables, meats, and herbs to create your own unique calzone combinations. Pepperoni, mushrooms, spinach, and onions are all popular choices.
- Pre-bake the crust (optional): For an extra crispy crust, you can partially bake the calzones for 10 minutes before adding the filling and baking again.
This detailed guide will help you create incredible calzones every time. Happy baking, and happy eating! Remember to share your delicious creations on social media using #CalzoneRecipe #HomemadePizza.
