Calzones Your Way

Calzones are a favorite quick to go meal from our local Italian restaurant.  We call in the order and hubby picks it up.  We get to pick our favorite toppings that are stuffed inside pizza crust.  A side of marinara for dipping completes it.  This is my first time making calzones at home.  It was just like making pizza and fun for the kids.  These would also be fun to make mini and serve as appetizers.

I used the recipe for pizza dough from The Pioneer Woman's Cookbook.  I added some extra seasonings and used a little whole wheat flour, and it turned out perfect.  This will be my new pizza dough recipe from now on.

Pizza Dough:
1 1/2 cups warm water
1 tsp active dry yeast
1 tsp sugar
4  cups all purpose flour (can also substitute 1/4 cup whole wheat for white flour)
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/3 cup olive oil, plus more for oiling bowl

In a small glass bowl, add the warm water and sprinkle in the yeast.  Let sit for 5 minutes.  Add the sugar and stir. 

In a large stand mixer with the dough hook attachment, add flour, salt, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.  Turn on low to mix in spices.  Slowly drizzle in the olive oil.  Add the water/yeast mixture and mix on medium speed.  Let the mixer kneed the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes.

Drizzle some olive oil into large glass or metal bowl and use your hand to rub all around bottom and sides.  Form the dough into a ball, add it to the oiled bowl, and turn to oil on all sides.  Cover with a damp kitchen towel or tightly with plastic wrap and place in a warm area until doubled in size, about 1-2 hours.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Sprinkle some corn meal onto a large pizza pan or baking sheet.

To make calzones, pinch off a piece of pizza dough and roll into a ball.  Spread flour on a work surface and roll dough out into a large circle, being careful not to roll too thin.  

Set out all your toppings, and let your family pile them up on their individual calzone.  Place toppings on 1/2 of the dough, leaving a 1/2 inch border. 

The toppings we used this time were:

mozzarella cheese
ricotta cheese
pepperoni
canadian bacon
cooked Italian sausage
green peppers
red onions
jalapenos

Fold the empty side of pizza dough over the toppings.  Roll the edges up and pinch together to seal, using your fingers like you would for a pie crust.  Sprinkle top with Italian seasoning and garlic powder, if desired. 

Use a spatula to transfer to prepared baking sheet.  You can even use a paring knife to carve your initials into the top so they don't get mixed up.

Bake for 12 minutes, or until crust is lightly browned.  Serve with a side of marinara for dipping.  Enjoy!