Family-Style Calzone

Family-Style Calzone

Author: Bold. Healthy. Homemade.

Recipe type: Lunch or Dinner

Prep time:  10 mins

Cook time:  45 mins

Total time:  50 mins

Serves: 3-4

This easy homemade Calzone is well worth the time it takes to make it! Not only is it Delicious and versatile, but is sure to impress anyone you serve it to! 






INGREDIENTS

• Pizza Dough (our favorite grocery story makes one in house, but you could use any pre-packaged dough or make your own!)
• 1/2 Cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
• 1/2 Cup Roasted Red Pepper
• 1/4 Cup Roasted Garlic
• 1/4 Cup Pizza or Pasta Sauce
• 1 Egg
• 1/4 Cup Water
• pinch of flour

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Lightly sprinkle flour on a sheet tray size of parchment paper (this will help the dough not to stick when you roll it out).
2. Using a floured rolling pin, begin to roll the dough into a rectangular shape. It doesn't have to be perfect, just a general rectangular/oval shape.
3. With a sharp knife, begin to make slits into the long side of the dough. Depending on how big you rolled your dough. Mine were about an inch long. Do this on both sides of the dough, making sure you have the same number of cuts on each side.
4. In a small bowl or cup, create an egg wash by mixing the egg and water. Gently brush or spoon onto the slits. This is going to act as "the glue" to really hold everything together.
5. Begin to assemble your Calzone by layering your fillings down the middle (pizza sauce, topped with cheese, garlic, and spinach)

• You can really put anything inside of this, however if are using an ingredient that holds a lot of water (for example...peppers, mushrooms, fresh tomatoes) you will want to saute them on the stove before putting them in. This will help to reduce some of the moisture. Otherwise you will end up with a soggy calzone.

6.  Next you will finish assembling your calzone. Starting with the ends, fold each end inward. By starting on the left side of the calzone, take the first cut slit and pull it across the calzone. As you pull this piece across the filling, push it down to secure it to the third slit on the right side. Now, take the first slice on the right side and pull it over the filling and dough to the third slit on the left side. You will continue this process until you reach the end of the calzone. This is going to create a beautiful weaved top.

7. When you reach the end of your calzone, begin to just tuck the cut slits under the end of the calzone if there are not two left on the opposite side. After all pieces are tucked in, gently brush the entire calzone with the egg wash. This is going to help it become beautiful and brown in the oven. 

8. Lift up the entire piece of parchment paper (with the calzone on it) and set it on a sheet tray. Lightly cover it with tin-foil and bake in a 425 Degree oven for about 40 minutes. Remove the tin-foil and if the top is not golden brown, bake for about another 5-10 minutes (keep a close eye on it so it doesn't burn)

9. Allow the calzone to cool for a few minutes, cut it into slices using a bread knife and serve with marinara on the side (optional)