Easy Homemade Calzone Recipe for Pizza Lovers (with Videos!)

Craving for a delicious homemade calzone recipe? Look no further!

This post is all about creating the perfect calzones right in your kitchen.

We’ll walk you through everything, from understanding what a calzone is to making your own pizza dough and assembling the perfect filling.

There is no need to be an Italian chef or even have professional baking skills. This easy calzone recipe requires simple ingredients that can be easily found at home or any local store.

You will also learn how to bake raw calzones, and some useful tips on storing leftovers for another day of delicious meals.

So if you’re ready to up your home cooking game with this fantastic homemade calzone recipe, keep reading!

Understanding Calzones

If you’re a pizza enthusiast, then calzones, the Italian dish that’s like a pizza but with a twist, should be on your culinary radar. Originating from Naples, Italy, these mouthwatering creations are more than just folded pizzas.

Origin and Definition of Calzones

The word ‘Calzone’ translates to ‘trouser’ or ‘stocking’ in English. Do not be perplexed – a calzone is essentially an exciting stuffed pizza, its filling concealed within a crusty exterior. It’s not about clothing; it’s all about delicious food wrapped in dough and baked to perfection. 

The calzone is essentially a stuffed pizza where the filling becomes an exciting secret hidden within its crusty exterior.

To get some historical context around this tasty treat, check out this article detailing the history of calzones.

Common Ingredients in a Calzone

A traditional calzone uses similar ingredients as any classic pizza: dough, mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce – sometimes ricotta – and various fillings depending on personal preference or regional variations. 

However, unlike pizzas, which have their toppings displayed for everyone to see, everything inside calzones remains hidden until you take that first bite.

In essence, making homemade calzones involves folding over your circular-shaped pizza dough filled with delightful ingredients into a half-moon shape before baking. You seal the edges well, so none of those yummy fillings escape during the cooking process. 

Once golden brown and crispy on the outside, brush them lightly with olive oil for extra flavor and shine.

Making Your Own Pizza Dough for Calzone

Calzones are like the secret agents of the pizza world, hiding their delicious fillings under a cloak of dough. But what’s that cloak made of? You guessed it – pizza dough.

Choosing Store-Bought vs Homemade Pizza Dough

For those in a rush or lacking the desire to knead dough, store-bought pizza dough can be an easy solution. It’s convenient, easy to use, and can be found in most grocery stores.

But if you want to take your calzone game to another level (and trust us, you do), making your own homemade pizza dough is where it’s at. 

Not only does this give you control over the thickness and texture, but it also lets you add personal touches like herbs or spices right into the mix.

You can find an excellent recipe for homemade pizza dough here.

Watch this video for another recipe:

In terms of thickness – we’re looking for Goldilocks’ porridge here, folks. Too thin and it won’t hold up against hearty fillings; too thick might result in undercooked interiors despite golden crusts. 

Aim for about 1/8th inch thickness when rolling out your dough – enough strength without being overly bready.

So whether you choose store-bought convenience or decide on diving into the delightful messiness that is homemade pizza dough making – remember: good calzoni starts with great bases.

Now grab those aprons and let’s get kneading.

Assembling and Baking the Perfect Calzone

Now that you’ve mastered the dough, let’s get to creating your masterpiece. Calzone assembly is an art form, but don’t worry – we’ve got your back.

Gathering Necessary Tools & Ingredients

You’ll need a rolling pin, a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and your chosen ingredients. Don’t forget about our homemade pizza dough.

If you’re going for traditional calzones, gather some mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce, and pepperoni or spinach. Feeling adventurous? Try out other fillings like mushrooms or even pineapple.

Steps to Assemble & Bake Your Own Homemade Calzone

1. Pull out that rolling pin: Roll your pizza dough into a circle about 10 inches in diameter.
2. Add the goodies: Place half of your filling on one side of the rolled-out dough, leaving space around the edge for sealing later.
3. Fold over: Fold the empty half of the circle over onto the filled side, creating a semi-circle shape (kinda like Pac-Man).
4. Crimp those edges: Use fork tines or fingers to crimp/seal the edges, ensuring no leakage occurs during the baking process.
5. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), then bake until golden brown, which usually takes around 15-20 minutes depending upon thickness/size, etc. Remember: Patience is key here.

Once baked, let them cool off slightly before digging in – they’re hot inside too. 

After all this hard work, reward yourself by brushing olive oil over the top, giving it an extra shine and a flavor boost. 

That’s it, folks. Take a moment to savor the homemade treats you just created.

To better understand the process, watch this video:

Creating Perfect-Filling Combinations for a Tasty Calzone

It’s time to let your culinary creativity shine. We’re diving into the world of calzone fillings, where tradition meets experimentation and every bite is a flavor explosion.

Creative Combos To Excite Your Palate

Moving on from tradition? Let’s get adventurous. How about chicken pesto calzones? Or maybe goat cheese mixed with sun-dried tomatoes?

There are no restrictions when it comes to deciding what goes inside a homemade calzone – that’s the beauty of it. You could even try sweet versions – think Nutella or fruit-filled dessert calzones.

No matter what filling combination you choose, remember this golden rule: don’t overstuff your dough. A bulging calzone will likely burst open during baking.

Attempt to concoct various ingredients until you discover the one that appeals most to your taste buds.

So put on that apron and start creating those mouth-watering homemade calzones today.

Freezing Raw or Cooked Leftovers Correctly

Freezing raw or cooked leftovers correctly is crucial for preserving their taste and texture.

If you have a raw calzone that’s ready to be baked, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap before freezing. This will protect it from freezer burn and keep it fresh until you’re ready to bake.

Cooked calzones can also be frozen with ease. Let the calzones cool fully, then wrap each one in foil and store them in a zippered bag for maximum freshness.

Thawing and Reheating Frozen Ones

The best method of thawing, as recommended by food safety experts, is overnight in the refrigerator. 

This ensures even defrosting while maintaining safe temperatures.

Set the oven or toaster oven at 375°F (190°C) to reheat your homemade calzone. Bake until heated through – usually around 15 minutes if they were previously fully cooked.

Frequently Asked Questions About Storing & Reheating Calzones:

1. “Can I freeze my homemade calzones?”: Absolutely. Just follow our tips above on how to properly freeze both raw and cooked ones.
2. “How long do they last in the fridge?”: Generally speaking, leftover pizza-like foods such as this should be consumed within three days when stored properly.
3. “Are there any differences between reheating stromboli vs. a calzone?”: Not really. Both can benefit from being reheated slowly at lower temperatures than originally baked at.
4. “Is making a healthier version possible?”: Yes indeed. You could use whole wheat dough instead of a white flour-based one, plus leaner meats like turkey pepperoni over traditional versions, among other tweaks.
5. “Any tasty filling ideas beyond the usual suspects like a cheese-meat-veggies combo?”: How about trying some unexpected fillings like a ricotta-spinach mix, chicken pesto, or goat cheese sun-dried tomato combination?

FAQs in Relation to Homemade Calzone Recipe

Is calzone dough different from pizza dough?

No, the calzone dough is essentially the same as pizza dough, just shaped and filled differently.

What is calzone dough made of?

Calzone dough is made with flour, yeast, water, salt, and olive oil.

Should calzones have sauce inside?

It’s up to you – some people like sauce inside, others prefer it on the side for dipping.

Why do you cut slits in a calzone?

Those slits are there to let steam escape during baking, so your calzone doesn’t explode like a flavor-filled balloon.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this guide has given you everything you need to know about making a killer homemade calzone.

You learned about the origin and definition of calzones, as well as the common ingredients used in these cheesy delights.

We discussed the importance of choosing between store-bought and homemade pizza dough, and how to get that perfect thickness for your calzone.

We also walked through the steps of assembling and baking your own calzone, so you can impress your friends and family with your culinary skills.

Additionally, we explored classic fillings for a traditional taste, as well as some creative combinations to tickle your taste buds.

Lastly, we shared tips on storing and reheating leftover calzones, because wasting these delicious treats would be a crime.