Homemade pizza calzones, all things pizza stuffed into homemade pizza dough and baked. It’s the best handheld pizza package!

Homemade Pizza Calzones l SimplyScratch.com

One of my earliest posts on SS was my favorite childhood pizza dough recipe.

It’s my Mom’s recipe that she’s made for YEEEARS. And for some reason I was always hit or miss with it. Sometimes the yeast would totally fail me and just sit there, doing nothing. Sometimes it would double wonderfully, other times, not so much.

Homemade Pizza Calzones l SimplyScratch.com

Researching all my past attempts I finally figured out what I was doing wrong. The water temperature. To be honest, I was being lazy and I never really measured how hot the water was or wasn’t. I just sort of guessed how hot it was. That was the moment I realized the trick to yeast, is a) make sure it’s not expired and b) the temperature of the water. Ever since then I’ve been taking my waters temp like a baby and turning pizza’s out like Little Caesars.

Homemade Pizza Calzones l SimplyScratch.com

This pizza dough recipe is fool-proof and my go to for anything pizza. Follow the steps and then cover with a clean tea towel and stick the bowl in a warm draft-free area to rise for 40 – 60 minutes.

TO Make These Homemade Pizza Calzones You Will Need:

  • 1 recipe for homemade pizza dough (above)
  • ground Italian sausage
  • yellow onion
  • mozzarella
  • sandwich pepperoni
  • grated sharp provolone
  • egg
  • tomato sauce
  • italian seasoning
  • dried basil
  • garlic powder
  • red pepper flakes (optional)
  • kosher salt
  • black pepper, to taste

Homemade Pizza Calzones l SimplyScratch.com

Meanwhile get going on the toppings…err fillings. First I cook up a half pound of ground Italian sausage.

Homemade Pizza Calzones l SimplyScratch.com

Slice the onion into strips from root to tip.

Homemade Pizza Calzones l SimplyScratch.com

Saute them in the remaining sausage fat until soft and golden.

Homemade Pizza Calzones l SimplyScratch.com

The Sauce Is Simple.

In a small saucepan add 1 (8 ounce) can of tomato sauce, 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1/4 teaspoon dried basil, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, salt and black pepper. I even add a pinch of sugar, I counteracts the acidity. Alternatively, you could use this other homemade pizza sauce recipe.

Homemade Pizza Calzones l SimplyScratch.com

Next quarter a few pepperonis.

Homemade Pizza Calzones l SimplyScratch.com

Then grate the cheese.

On the left you have a half a half cup of the very stinky {yet very delicious} sharp provolone. And on the right is a cup to cup and a half of the very creamy mozzarella.

Homemade Pizza Calzones l SimplyScratch.com

Next, after about an hour in a warm dry place, your dough should have doubled in size.

Homemade Pizza Calzones l SimplyScratch.com

And then “Punch” it down to deflate it a bit.

Homemade Pizza Calzones l SimplyScratch.com

Then form the dough into a ball and cut in half. Then divide the halves in half, so you have for pieces.

Homemade Pizza Calzones l SimplyScratch.com

Next, grab your rolling pin and roll each piece out to form an 8-inch circle. You may have to stretch it a bit with your fingers.

Homemade Pizza Calzones l SimplyScratch.com

Then spread out a little sauce, leaving a little room around the edge. Top with Italian sausage and sauteed onions.

Homemade Pizza Calzones l SimplyScratch.com

Next top with the pepperonis, a little mozz and then a little prov.

Homemade Pizza Calzones l SimplyScratch.com

Then fold over, tuck and twist… or is it twist and tuck. Well you get the idea.

Homemade Pizza Calzones l SimplyScratch.com

Next brush with a little beaten egg.

Homemade Pizza Calzones l SimplyScratch.com

Then bake the Homemade Pizza Calzones at 375° until puffed, crispy and a deep golden.

Homemade Pizza Calzones l SimplyScratch.com

All this hard work it’s so totally worth eating the whole thing.

These homemade pizza calzones have a crispy crust, soft gooey center. I bet your family will be giving you high fives all night long.

Enjoy! And if you give these Homemade Pizza Calzones a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!

Homemade Pizza Calzones l SimplyScratch.com

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Yield: 4 servings

Homemade Pizza Calzones

Homemade pizza calzones, all things pizza stuffed into homemade pizza dough and baked. It's the best handheld pizza package!

Ingredients

FOR THE DOUGH:

  • cups unbleached all-purpose flour, plus more for kneading
  • 1 cup warm water, 115-120 degrees
  • teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1/2 teaspoon honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher Salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon olive oil, plus more for oiling bowl

FOR THE PIZZA SAUCE:

  • 8 ounce can of tomato sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon italian seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 pinch red pepper flakes, optional
  • kosher salt
  • black pepper, to taste

FOR THE CALZONES:

  • 8 slices sandwich pepperoni, quartered
  • 1 medium onion, sliced root to tip
  • 1/2 pound ground Italian sausage
  • 1-1/2 cups freshly grated mozzarella
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated sharp provolone
  • 1 large egg, beaten

Instructions 

MAKE THE SAUCE:

  • In a small sauce pan over medium low heat combine the tomato sauce, herbs and spices. Stir until hot then remove off of the heat to cool.

MAKE THE CALZONES:

  • In a skillet brown the sausage, drain and set aside. Over medium heat cook onions until soft and golden.
  • Divide the pizza dough into 4 equal portions. Roll out to about 8 inches in diameter. Smear a couple spoonfuls of cooled pizza sauce.
  • Top with cooked Italian sausage, pepperoni, cooked onions and cheeses. Stretch and pull the dough over the top of the filling and twist and pinch the two seams together.
  • Beat the egg and brush it over top of the entire calzone. Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 20-minutes. Let cool before eating. Use any leftover pizza sauce to dunk your calzone in.
Serving: 1g, Calories: 573kcal, Carbohydrates: 70g, Protein: 22g, Fat: 23g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 10g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 94mg, Sodium: 1100mg, Potassium: 556mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 327IU, Vitamin C: 7mg, Calcium: 53mg, Iron: 6mg