Calzone

1 hour
There is nothing quite like the combination of a soft and creamy filling and a wonderfully crispy crust. That is why we think everyone should try homemade calzone at least once. Fortunately, with a quick and easy calzone recipe like ours, making this Italian classic is easy. Try this stuffed pizza with savory garlic and basil-flavored turkey ham, Puck Shredded Creamy Mozzarella Cheese, and Puck Natural Cream Cheese filling next time you are in the mood for pizza but also want to try something a little different.

Ingredients

4 portions

Pizza dough:

Filling:

Instructions

  • Pizza dough:

  • Filling:

Tip

Folding this turnover pizza becomes easier if rather than placing the shredded mozzarella, garlic cream cheese filling, and turkey ham in the middle of your pizza, you place it off to one side. This way, you do not have to worry about the filling moving around or spilling out when you fold half the pizza over it. You should, of course, leave enough room between the edges and the filling to crimp the edges properly. Brushing them with a bit of egg wash (whisked egg mixed with some water) before pinching them together can help ensure that no filling escapes. Brushing the entire turnover pizza with this egg wash will make the golden-brown coloring of the crust even more pronounced and give the surface a shiny quality.

Questions about calzone

Having a recipe for calzone in your collection is great for when you are in the mood for pizza but also feel like mixing things up a bit. To learn more about it, read our answers to the most frequently asked questions below.
What is a calzone pizza?

An Italian calzone is a turnover pizza made by folding over the dough to turn the pizza toppings into a filling instead. A calzone with pizza dough may be prepared with a wide selection of different fillings such as meat, vegetables, or mushrooms but always features cheese in its filling. Though there are many delicious ingredients for calzone, you cannot go wrong with a classic combination.

How to make a calzone from scratch?

With our recipe for homemade calzone, making a stuffed pizza becomes quite simple. Start by preparing the pizza dough as it will need to proof twice to make it elastic enough for folding. While it is on its second proofing, preheat the oven and prepare the flavorful filling with natural cream cheese, garlic, salt, and pepper. Shape the dough into four pizzas and top them with turkey ham and two kinds of cheese. Fold them over and crimp the edges. Bake them on preheated baking trays until the crust is golden-brown and sounds hollow when you tap it.

How to make calzone dough?

Making pizza dough for calzones is just as easy as making regular pizzas. Dissolve yeast in water and add wheat flour, olive oil, sugar, and salt. To make it shiny and pliable enough to be folded, knead the dough for around 8 minutes. Let it rest for 30 minutes somewhere warm, before shaping it into 4 pieces and letting it rest a second time, also for half an hour. Make sure to cover the dough as it rests to prevent it from drying out.

How to fold a calzone?

The best calzone recipe, of course, needs to explain how to properly fold it. Fortunately, it should not be difficult if you have an elastic pizza dough. Just place the filling on it, making sure to leave 2 cm of space at the edges, and fold over half of the round pizza to create a half-moon. The folding process may be made easier by placing the filling only on one side of the circle. Use a fork to make small holes to let out steam and crimp the edges to ensure none of the creamy filling escapes.

How to reheat a calzone?

Homemade calzones may be cooked in advance, stored in the refrigerator, and reheated for 10 minutes on a preheated baking tray at 180°C. Flip it halfway through then reheat to ensure even heating. If you have placed any leftovers in the freezer, there is no need to thaw them; simply put them in the oven and reheat them for 20-30 minutes. You can also reheat them in a pan. At medium-low heat, fry it for 2 minutes on each side. Reheating it on a pan, you will need to thaw it first overnight in the fridge if you are reheating a frozen calzone.

What is the difference between calzone, stromboli, and panzerotti?

All three are stuffed pizza derivatives made with classic pizza dough. The primary difference between Italian calzones and Italian American strombolis is how they are sealed. The former type is folded, while the latter is sealed. As such, they have different shapes with the former being shaped like a half-moon and the latter resembling a long cylinder. A panzerotti, which is typically stuffed with tomato and mozzarella, is folded and shaped like classic calzones and the major difference is that this version from the Apulia region is fried rather than baked.

What cheese is in a calzone?

An easy Italian calzone recipe will usually recommend using a blend of sweet ricotta and salty Parmesan or pecorino cheese. However, using natural cream cheese paired with mozzarella, as we suggest, makes for a decadent and creamy calzone cheese combination. The fresh flavor of the natural cream cheese and the richness of the shredded mozzarella work beautifully with the pungent garlic, peppery basil, and salty turkey ham to create a savory filling with many different delicious flavors.

Other recipes you will love

Homemade calzone from pizza dough

Though this pizza dish may be one of many associated recipes solely for eating out, making calzone at home is easy! Made by folding pizza dough over a deliciously cheesy filling, this stuffed pizza pocket offers a great combination of flavors and textures.

Since it does not have sauce in it, you can serve it with a flavorful tomato sauce, or a homemade aioli sauce packed with garlic flavor to match the creamy filling.

Calzone Napolitano with classic savory fillings

Our easy recipe is inspired by the calzone that started it all. First made in Naples, the folded pizza traditionally featured a warm, creamy filling with turkey ham and cheese. The tasty combination of rich, slightly tangy cheese and salty turkey ham is considered a classic for a reason. It is wonderful on pizza, toast, sandwiches, and, of course, calzones.

Two types of cheese, turkey ham, and pungent garlic

Adding natural cream cheese gives you a delightfully savory filling with great herby and umami flavors. It gives the turkey ham and cheese calzone filling a delightful freshness that matches the intensity of the fragrant garlic and peppery basil leaves wonderfully. The thick, smooth cheese type ensures a creamy filling to complement the crispy crust.

The mild, buttery flavor of shredded mozzarella pairs well with the slightly sour natural cream cheese as well as the salty, turkey ham. Together these ingredients make for a flavorful, rich, and smooth eating experience that will rival even the best calzone fillings you have tried at authentic Italian restaurants.

Experiment with different fillings

A garlic-flavored natural cream cheese calzone is great with many different fillings like beef pepperoni, spicy salami, sautéed mushrooms, and even leftover spaghetti bolognese. Though it may not feature on lists of traditional calzone fillings.

While basil is a great match for the turkey ham and cheese filling, you can also experiment with trying other wonderful herbs like chives and oregano. A spicy combination of mint, basil, parsley, scallion, fresh chilli, and cabbage also makes for a delicious filling for vegetable lovers. Play around with different ingredients to discover your favorite calzone fillings.

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