Real Italian Calzones

Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Servings: 8
Yield: 8 servings

Description

Calzones are easier to make than you think with homemade pizza dough stuffed with cheese, pepperoni, and mushrooms, baked until golden brown and hot.

Ingredients

1 (1/4 ounce) package active dry yeast
1 cup warm water
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 large egg, beaten
1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1/2 cup diced pepperoni
1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1 tablespoon dried basil leaves

Directions

1 Make dough: Dissolve yeast in warm water in a mixing bowl; let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon oil, sugar, and salt; mix in 1 cup flour until smooth. Gradually stir in remaining flour until dough is smooth and workable.
2 Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead dough until it is elastic, about 5 minutes. Place 1 teaspoon olive oil in a large bowl; lay dough in the bowl and flip to coat with oil. Cover and let rise until almost doubled in size, about 40 minutes.
3 Meanwhile, make the filling: Combine Cheddar cheese, ricotta cheese, pepperoni, mushrooms, and basil leaves in a medium bowl. Mix well, cover, and refrigerate to chill.
4 Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a baking sheet.
5 Punch down dough; divide into 2 equal pieces. Roll each piece out on a lightly floured surface into 1/8-inch-thick circles. Fill each circle with 1/2 of the cheese and meat filling.
6 Fold dough over filling to make a semicircle. Press edges down with the tines of a fork to seal. Brush the top of each calzone with beaten egg and place on the prepared baking sheet.
7 Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Serve hot.