Real Italian Calzones

These calzones are the real deal because there is no tomato sauce inside! We eat them at least once a week. Have a bowl of tomato or spaghetti sauce on the table for people to top their calzone if desired.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 50 mins
• Calories: 335 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1 cup warm water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 ½ cups shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• ½ cup ricotta cheese
• ½ cup diced pepperoni
• ½ cup sliced fresh mushrooms
• 1 tablespoon dried basil leaves
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a baking sheet.

Step 2

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.

Step 3

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.

Step 4

Make filling: Meanwhile, combine Cheddar cheese, ricotta cheese, pepperoni, mushrooms, and basil leaves in a medium bowl. Mix well, cover, and refrigerate to chill.

Step 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; 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.

Step 6

Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Serve hot.