She Strengthens

Savor the Flavor of Italy with These Delicious Calzones

Looking for a satisfying snack or meal that’s easy to make and packed with flavor? Look no further than these Italian Sausage and Cheese Calzones! They’re perfect for an after-school or after-work treat, and their compact, folded design makes them a lot less messy than a traditional slice of pizza.

What Makes a Calzone Special?

A calzone is essentially a folded pizza that originated in Naples, Italy. It’s made with salted bread dough, baked in an oven, and filled with a variety of ingredients like ham, salami, mozzarella, ricotta, Parmesan, or pecorino cheese. The result is a portable, convenient meal that’s perfect for lunch counters, street vendors, or even a quick dinner at home.

The Perfect Combination of Flavors

Our recipe features a trio of cheeses – ricotta, provolone, and Parmesan – which add depth and complexity to the dish. The Italian sausage and onions bring a savory, umami flavor that pairs beautifully with the tangy marinara sauce and spicy red pepper. And let’s not forget the pepperoncini, which add a burst of freshness to each bite!

How to Make the Perfect Calzone

To start, prepare your Italian sausage and add the remaining ingredients to the pizza dough, just as you would when making a pizza. Don’t forget to braid the dough towards the end to contain the filling! Brush with melted butter and bake until golden brown. Once finished, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and basil flakes, and serve diagonally.

Italian-Themed Party Ideas

If you’re looking to throw an Italian-themed party, we’ve got you covered! Start with a light and refreshing Caprese Salad, followed by our Tomato Basil Arancini recipe as an appetizer. Pair your meal with a glass of Mint Limonata, and finish the evening with our twist on the classic Tiramisu – Mini Tiramisu Eclairs. Your guests will thank you!

Recipe Details

Yields: 1 Calzone
Difficulty: Medium
Total Time: 60 Mins
Active Time: 30 Mins

Ingredients:

• 1 package, refrigerated pizza dough
• 1-2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 ½ cups whole-milk Ricotta cheese
• 1 ½ cup Provolone cheese, grated
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
• 1 cup Italian sausage (mild or hot)
• ½ cup red pepper, finely diced
• ½ cup sweet onion, finely diced
• 2 tablespoons diced pepperoncini (or banana peppers)
• 1/4 cup green olives (optional), pitted and halved
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• 3 tablespoons dried basil

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. In a sauté pan, heat 1 tablespoon of oil on medium heat. Add peppers, onions, and olives (if using) and sauté for 3-5 minutes, until softened.
3. Add Italian sausage and cook until meat has heated through. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.
4. Roll out pizza dough to the size of a half sheet pan. Cut 1-inch strips all the way down each of the long sides of the dough.
5. In the center of the dough, spread sauce, ricotta, provolone, and meat mixture.
6. “Braid” the bread by starting with the strips in each top corner, laying them over the filling and crisscrossing over each other.
7. Brush the braided dough with melted butter, then bake for about 30 minutes or until golden brown.
8. When finished, give the calzone one more brush with some melted butter and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and basil flakes. Cut diagonally to serve.