A calzone is a delightful Italian dish that combines the best of a pizza and a turnover. With a crispy exterior and a warm, gooey interior, it's perfect for a quick dinner or a fun weekend meal. This recipe is simple yet delicious, making it a great choice for both novice and experienced cooks.
While most of the ingredients in this recipe are common, you might need to pay attention to the pizza dough. If you prefer homemade, ensure you have the time and ingredients to prepare it. Otherwise, store-bought dough works perfectly fine. Also, make sure to get shredded mozzarella cheese and diced ham, which might not be staples in every household.
Ingredients For Calzone Recipe
Pizza dough: The base of the calzone, providing the structure and texture.
Mozzarella cheese: Adds a creamy, melty texture to the filling.
Ham: Provides a savory, meaty flavor.
Mushrooms: Adds an earthy taste and texture.
Tomato sauce: The tangy, flavorful base for the filling.
Oregano: A dried herb that adds a classic Italian flavor.
Basil: Another dried herb that complements the oregano.
Egg: Used for the egg wash to give the calzone a golden brown finish.
Technique Tip for Making Calzones
When sealing the edges of the calzone, use a fork to crimp the dough. This not only ensures a tight seal to prevent the filling from leaking out but also adds a decorative touch to your calzone.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
pizza dough - Substitute with whole wheat dough: Provides a healthier alternative with more fiber.
pizza dough - Substitute with gluten-free dough: Suitable for those with gluten intolerance or celiac disease.
shredded mozzarella cheese - Substitute with shredded cheddar cheese: Offers a different flavor profile and melts well.
shredded mozzarella cheese - Substitute with vegan cheese: Ideal for a dairy-free or vegan option.
diced ham - Substitute with diced turkey: Provides a leaner meat option with less fat.
diced ham - Substitute with diced tofu: Suitable for vegetarians and adds a different texture.
sliced mushrooms - Substitute with sliced bell peppers: Adds a sweet and crunchy texture.
sliced mushrooms - Substitute with sliced zucchini: Offers a mild flavor and similar texture.
tomato sauce - Substitute with pesto sauce: Provides a fresh, herbaceous flavor.
tomato sauce - Substitute with alfredo sauce: Adds a creamy and rich texture.
dried oregano - Substitute with dried thyme: Offers a slightly different but complementary herbal flavor.
dried oregano - Substitute with dried marjoram: Provides a milder, sweeter flavor.
dried basil - Substitute with dried parsley: Adds a fresh, slightly peppery flavor.
dried basil - Substitute with dried tarragon: Offers a unique, slightly licorice-like flavor.
egg - Substitute with milk: Can be used for the egg wash to provide a similar browning effect.
egg - Substitute with olive oil: Provides a vegan alternative for the egg wash and adds a slight flavor.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to Calzones
How to Store or Freeze Your Calzone
Allow the calzones to cool completely at room temperature before storing or freezing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the dough soggy.
For short-term storage, place the calzones in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To freeze, wrap each calzone individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This ensures they don't stick together and makes it easy to grab one at a time.
Place the wrapped calzones in a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date to keep track of freshness. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.
When ready to enjoy, thaw the calzones in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing helps maintain the texture of the dough and filling.
Reheat in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. This method keeps the crust crispy and the filling warm.
For a quicker option, you can microwave the calzones on medium power for 2-3 minutes, but be aware that the crust may become softer.
If you prefer a crispy crust, after microwaving, place the calzones in a hot skillet for a couple of minutes on each side. This will help regain some of the original texture.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Place the leftover calzone on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover it loosely with aluminum foil to prevent the crust from becoming too hard. Bake for about 10-15 minutes or until the mozzarella cheese inside is melted and the calzone is heated through.
Air Fryer Method: Preheat your air fryer to 160°C (320°F). Place the calzone in the basket, making sure not to overcrowd it. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, checking halfway to ensure it’s warming evenly. This method will give you a crispy exterior while keeping the inside gooey and delicious.
Stovetop Method: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Place the calzone in the skillet and cover it with a lid. Heat for about 5-7 minutes on each side, flipping halfway through. This method helps maintain a crispy crust while ensuring the ham and mushrooms inside are thoroughly warmed.
Microwave Method: Place the calzone on a microwave-safe plate. Cover it with a damp paper towel to keep it from drying out. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking to see if it’s heated through. Be cautious with this method as it can make the crust a bit chewy.
Toaster Oven Method: Preheat your toaster oven to 180°C (350°F). Place the calzone on the rack or a baking sheet. Heat for about 10 minutes, or until the mozzarella cheese is melted and the calzone is hot throughout. This method is great for maintaining a crispy texture.
Essential Tools for Making Calzones
Oven: Used to bake the calzones at the required temperature of 220°C (430°F)
Rolling pin: Essential for rolling out the pizza dough into even circles
Baking sheet: Provides a flat surface to place the calzones on for baking
Parchment paper: Prevents the calzones from sticking to the baking sheet
Pastry brush: Used to apply the beaten egg wash on top of the calzones for a golden finish
Knife: Necessary for dicing the ham and slicing the mushrooms
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for cutting the ham and mushrooms
Mixing bowl: Useful for mixing the shredded mozzarella, ham, and mushrooms together if desired
Measuring cups: Ensures accurate measurement of the tomato sauce
Teaspoon: Used to measure the dried oregano and basil
Spoon: Helps in spreading the tomato sauce evenly on the dough
Fork: Can be used to crimp and seal the edges of the calzones
Cooling rack: Allows the calzones to cool evenly after baking
How to Save Time on Making Calzones
Use store-bought dough: Save time by using store-bought pizza dough instead of making it from scratch.
Pre-cut ingredients: Buy pre-shredded mozzarella, diced ham, and sliced mushrooms to reduce prep time.
Batch preparation: Prepare multiple calzones at once and freeze them for quick meals later.
Efficient assembly: Set up an assembly line with all ingredients ready to streamline the process.
Quick egg wash: Use a pastry brush for a fast and even application of the egg wash.
Preheat the oven: Ensure the oven is preheated to the correct temperature before starting.
Calzone Recipe
Ingredients
Dough
- 500 g Pizza dough store-bought or homemade
Filling
- 200 g Mozzarella cheese shredded
- 100 g Ham diced
- 100 g Mushrooms sliced
- 1 cup Tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Oregano dried
- 1 teaspoon Basil dried
- 1 Egg beaten, for egg wash
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 220°C (430°F).
- Roll out the pizza dough into four equal circles.
- Spread tomato sauce on half of each dough circle.
- Top with mozzarella, ham, mushrooms, oregano, and basil.
- Fold the dough over the filling and seal the edges.
- Brush the tops with beaten egg.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts
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