🍕 Authentic Italian Calzone
Golden and crispy on the outside, soft and cheesy on the inside—this homemade Italian Calzone is filled with rich tomato sauce, gooey mozzarella, savory pepperoni, and Italian herbs. It’s the perfect pizza pocket for lunch, dinner, or family gatherings.
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 3½ cups (440 g) all-purpose flour
- 2¼ tsp active dry yeast
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1¼ cups (300 ml) warm water
- 2 tbsp olive oil
For the Filling
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 100 g pepperoni slices (or cooked Italian sausage)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Fresh basil leaves (optional)
For Brushing
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Extra Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- Add the flour, salt, and olive oil. Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Cover the dough and let it rise for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F).
- Divide the dough into 4 equal portions and roll each into a circle about 20–22 cm (8–9 inches) wide.
- Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce over one half of each circle, leaving a 2 cm border.
- Add the mozzarella, pepperoni, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and basil.
- Fold the dough over the filling to form a half-moon. Press the edges firmly and crimp with a fork to seal.
- Cut two small slits on top to allow steam to escape.
- Brush with the beaten egg and a little olive oil. Sprinkle with Parmesan if desired.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until the calzone is golden brown and crisp.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving with warm marinara sauce.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Rise Time: 1 hour
Bake Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 4
Serve warm with marinara sauce and enjoy a delicious homemade Italian classic! 🍕🧀✨
