Easy Calzones (Combo Meat Flavor)

Easy Calzone Pizzas filled with pepperoni, sausage, olives, onions and cheese baked in 20 minutes with a crispy crust and perfect for dipping.

Calzones may be the most underrated Italian food on menus full of Ultimate Meat Lasagna, Easy Bacon Carbonara Pasta and Easy Chicken Parmesan but this handheld dippable crispy pizza deserves more respect for it’s melted cheese delivery system.

  Calzone Recipe

Calzones are the original hot pockets but better with a homemade Pizza Dough, homemade (EASY) Pizza Sauce and with sides of ranch dressing (see recipe below) and easy marinara sauce you can make these calzones for a crowd as appetizers or for easy weeknight dinners. The word calzone is Italian and calzones were first created in Naples, Italy where the translation of the word “calza” which means stocking so it’s meant to be like a pizza filled with food like a stocking.

The best part is all the delicious melted cheese that stays inside with the crispy crust both on top and on the bottom. If you’re a fan of thin crust  is your favorite type of pizza crust then calzones are the perfect option for you.

Is Calzone Dough the same as Pizza Dough?

Yes calzone dough is the same as pizza dough, you roll it out to 1/4″ thickness then add the filling to the middle of the dough, roll and pinch the ends of the dough together and cut slits into the top to allow steam to escape so the dough can crisp up and become golden brown while baking.

Best Sauce for Calzones:

Since the calzone is a closed pizza recipe you’re going to want to use a traditional pizza sauce recipe instead of marinara sauce or tomato sauce for your filling. The extra liquid in the tomato sauce and marinara sauce will cause your calzones to become soggy.

Crispy Crust:

I like to brush the crust with olive oil but you can also use an egg wash or top with parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning for a more flavorful and decorated crust.

What to serve with Calzones: 

We love serving Olive Garden Italian Salad (Copycat), Garlic Bread, Ultimate Spinach Artichoke Dip and Baked Million Dollar Spaghetti for the perfect Italian meal!

5 from 5 votes

Print

Easy Calzone Pizzas

Easy Calzone Pizzas filled with pepperoni, sausage, olives, onions and cheese baked in 20 minutes with a crispy crust and perfect for dipping.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword Calzone, Easy Calzone Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Servings 4 servings

Calories 538 kcal

Author Sabrina Snyder

Ingredients

• 1 ball pizza dough
• 1/4 cup flour
• 3/4 cup pizza sauce
• 1/4 cup black olives , sliced
• 2 tablespoons red onions , sliced
• 4 ounces sliced pepperoni
• 4 ounces Italian sausage , cooked and crumbled
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese , shredded
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 500 degrees (preheat your pizza stone if using one) and sprinkle work surface and rolling pin with flour and roll each piece into 10 inch circles 1/4" thick.

2. Spoon the pizza sauce onto the half of the dough, then add the olives, onions, pepperoni, sausage and cheese.

3. Fold dough in half, wet the edges and roll and crimp, pinching it closed then brush with olive oil and cut 2" holes into the top two times to allow steam to escape.

4. Cook for 10 minutes, on a pizza stone or baking sheet (use cooking spray), brush with more olive oil and cook for another 10 minutes.

Nutrition Facts

Easy Calzone Pizzas

Amount Per Serving

Calories 538 Calories from Fat 234

% Daily Value*

Fat 26g40%

Saturated Fat 8g50%

Cholesterol 43mg14%

Sodium 1462mg64%

Potassium 245mg7%

Carbohydrates 56g19%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 8g9%

Protein 19g38%

Vitamin A 420IU8%

Vitamin C 4.1mg5%

Calcium 157mg16%

Iron 3.9mg22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.