Cheesy Calzones Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• Make the filling: Mix the mozzarella, ricotta, basil, scallions, 1/4 cup parmesan and the breadcrumbs in a medium bowl until combined. Divide the pizza dough into 4 equal pieces. Roll out each piece on a lightly floured surface into a 7-to-8-inch round.
• Spoon one-quarter of the filling onto one half of each dough round, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Lightly brush the edges of the dough with some of the beaten egg; fold the dough over the filling and crimp the edges with a fork to seal. Transfer the calzones to the prepared baking sheet.
• Brush the calzones with the remaining beaten egg and cut 2 slits in the top of each to let steam escape. Sprinkle the calzones with the remaining 2 teaspoons parmesan, then bake until golden brown and cooked through, 18 to 20 minutes. Serve with marinara sauce, the salami and giardiniera.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F and place a pizza stone in the bottom of the oven. (Alternatively, lightly oil 2 baking sheets. Set aside.)
• Place the 4 portions of dough on a lightly floured surface. Divide the ham and salami evenly among 1 side of each of the dough circles. Top each calzone with 6 tablespoons of the ricotta cheese and divide the mozzarella cubes, grated Parmesan and basil evenly among the calzones over the ricotta. Sprinkle each calzone with 1/8 teaspoon of salt and 1/8 teaspoon of crushed red pepper. Fold the untopped half of dough over the filling, rolling the top edge underneath the bottom and pressing edges together with your fingertips to seal, crimping as you go along. Cut several small slits in the top of each calzone and transfer calzones to a pizza peel, in batches if necessary, using cornmeal to help facilitate moving the dough. Transfer the calzones to the preheated baking stone in the preheated oven and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, or until golden brown and dough is cooked through. Remove from the oven with a metal peel or spatula and serve immediately.
• In a large bowl combine yeast with water and sugar and stir well to combine. Set aside until foamy, about 5 minutes. Add the salt, olive oil, and half of the flour and mix well to thoroughly combine. Add all remaining flour except 1/2 cup and mix well with your hands, working to incorporate the flour little by little. The dough should be slightly sticky to the touch. Transfer dough to a lightly floured work surface and knead dough for at least 5 and up to 7 minutes, adding enough additional flour, as necessary, to form a smooth and elastic dough that is not sticky. Transfer dough to a lightly oiled 2 or 3-quart bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, usually at least 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 500 degrees F and if you have one, place a pizza stone on the bottom rack of the oven.
• Divide dough into 2 portions (for 2 (12 to 14-inch) pizzas and form into balls. (See note below for calzones.) Place on a lightly oiled baking sheet and cover with a damp towel. Let rest for 15 minutes, then transfer to a lightly floured surface, shape as desired and roll out to a 1/8-inch thickness. Transfer dough to a pizza peel (sprinkle with cornmeal to help facilitate moving dough) and top with toppings of choice. Transfer to the preheated pizza stone and bake until crispy and golden brown, usually 12 to 18 minutes (depending on the toppings and the thickness of the crust). Remove from the oven with a metal peel or spatula and serve immediately.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a medium saute pan over medium heat. Add the onions, and saute until they become soft and caramelized, about 10 minutes. Remove from the pan, and set aside.
• To the same pan, add the remaining tablespoon of oil and the red bell pepper and mushrooms. Season with a pinch of salt, and saute until the peppers are tender and the mushrooms have darkened a little, about 6 minutes.
• For the kid version, cut 2 of the dough balls in half. You can either freeze the dough now, or make 4 small kid calzones and freeze two then. Up to you!
• Once the dough is halved, roll out each ball into a 6-inch circle. Lightly spoon about 1 tablespoon of pizza sauce over each dough circle, and sprinkle about 1 tablespoon of mozzarella on top. Sprinkle 1/4 cup pepperoni over the cheese, and top with another tablespoon of mozzarella. Fold one end over the other, and crimp at the seams to close. Continue with the remaining three circles of dough. Transfer to a baking sheet lined with foil.
• Now for the adult versions: Roll out the 2 remaining 8-ounce balls of dough into 8-inch circles, and spoon 2 tablespoons of sauce over the dough. Top with a tablespoon of mozzarella, followed by a small mound of caramelized onions and sauteed bell pepper and mushrooms. Finish with another tablespoon or so of mozzarella. Fold and crimp at the seams, as you did with the kid calzones. Transfer the two adult calzones to the baking sheet.
• Brush the calzones with the beaten egg. Lightly sprinkle each calzone with a pinch of Parmesan. Add an additional sprinkling of Italian seasoning to the adult calzones. (So, so good.)
• Bake the calzones until golden brown and cooked through, about 30 minutes. Serve with the remaining pizza sauce as a dipping sauce (or even ranch dressing, if you're awesome like that).

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F.
• Open can of dough. (Do not unroll.) Cut dough crosswise in half.
• Unroll 1 half on baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray; spread with pizza sauce to within 1/2 inch of edges. Sprinkle with mozzarella. Top 1/3 of dough with turkey, then cover second third with broccoli and corn. Leave remaining third topped with just the mozzarella. Unroll remaining dough half over filling; crimp edge with fork. Cut dough crosswise into thirds, then cut each third diagonally in half. (Do not separate dough.) Brush with water; sprinkle with Parmesan.
• Bake 15 to 19 min. or until golden brown. Cool slightly.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°.
• Line a 12 inch pizza pan with foil and spray with nonstick spray coating.
• Press dough onto foil in pan forming a 12-inch circle.
• In a large mixing bowl stir together cheeses then spoon 1/2 of mixture onto dough.
• Fold dough over filling to form a half-circle. Seal edges, then use the edge of a spoon to make decorative edge, if desired.
• Cut slits for escape of steam.
• Repeat for the other package of dough.
• Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or till filling is heated through and cheese is melted.
• Cover with foil after 10 minutes of baking to prevent over-browning.
• Cool on wire rack for 5 minutes before serving. Heat sauce and serve with calzone for dipping.