One of my family's favorite meals is calzones. They are always ready and willing to help me make these even if I am doubling or tripling the batch for freezing. They freeze well for later dinners or lunches for my hubby.
The one thing that I do differently than most recipes is that I don't put the sauce on the inside of the calzones because I find that they get mushy especially if they are put in the freezer. I simply serve the sauce on the side for dipping.
You can be very creative with these by filling them with ground beef with b-b-q sauce and cheese, or chicken with broccoli and cheese, or pepperoni and cheese. As you can tell, there is a cheese theme when it comes to calzones!
To make the dough:
1 cup + 2 TB. of warm water
2 tsp. yeast
1-1/2 tsp. salt
3 cups flour
The easiest way to do this is to use your bread machine on the dough cycle, but if you don't have one simply start by dissolving the yeast in the water. Next you will add the flour and the salt until you are able to handle the dough (it shouldn't be extremely sticky, although a bit of stickiness is OK). Knead the dough on a lightly floured counter for 8 minutes. Place the dough in an oiled bowl (covered with a cloth) for 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
Gather your filling ingredients:
For these calzones I used meatballs and mozzarella cheese. For eight calzones I used approximately 16 meatballs (each one cut in half) and about 1 cup of cheese. You will also need spaghetti sauce, barbecue sauce or ranch dressing, depending on your filling ingredients.
Once your dough is done, divide it into 8 pieces. Roll one piece into a small circle and place your fillings on one-half of that circle:
Fold one-half of the dough over the filling and seal the edges with a fork (kids love to do this!). Be sure to seal the edges well so that the cheese doesn't leak out. Place these on a greased baking sheet:
Repeat with all of the dough pieces until you are done:
Bake in a 425 degree oven for 15-18 minutes or until they are golden brown. Serve and eat with your favorite sauce, or freeze in ziploc bags for later use.
These are great when served with pasta salad or green salad.
Enjoy!
Fabulous! I too have to make dinners that my Hubby can eat when he gets home late from work. Great Idea. I can't wait to get home and whip up a batch for the freezer! Thanks!
Posted by: Ashleigh | January 10, 2008 at 05:11 AM
These look so yummy... I usually make my dough for pizza and bread in my stand mixer. You think that would work with this recipe? Anyway, I'm going to try it. My hubby is always looking for something to eat at the most inopportune times. Pulling these out of the freezer would be so convenient!
Posted by: Gina | January 10, 2008 at 06:45 AM
Oh, these look wonderful... we love calzones too! Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Posted by: julie | January 10, 2008 at 06:49 AM
Yum! Thanks for sharing the recipe. We will be trying them soon!
Posted by: Darcy | January 10, 2008 at 07:03 AM
Thank you for this great dinner idea! We have a bread machine with a dough cycle so this will be a snap.
Posted by: Carrie | January 10, 2008 at 07:04 AM
Yummy! Sounds sooo good! I might have to steal this recipe :)
Posted by: Stephanie | January 10, 2008 at 07:16 AM
oh I know what we are having tonight!!! =)
Posted by: Heather W | January 10, 2008 at 08:44 AM
Thanks for the recipe! I love to cook and put things in the freezer. These look yummy!
Posted by: Mindy | January 10, 2008 at 09:10 AM
Mmmm ... I'm seeing calzones for dinner in my future! Thanks for the recipe.
Posted by: Amy @ Experience Imagination | January 10, 2008 at 09:11 AM
They look fantastic! I'll have to give these a try. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Posted by: Mary Sarah | January 10, 2008 at 09:24 AM
That looks delish!
Posted by: chilihead | January 10, 2008 at 09:27 AM
Oh, those look GOOD! I think they'd pack nicely in lunchboxes too!
Posted by: Beck | January 10, 2008 at 09:29 AM
Awesome!! Thank you so much for posting this. I'm imagining a calzone making day with everyone creating ones that they like. Freeze and label and poof! Instant happy.
Posted by: Pieces | January 10, 2008 at 09:44 AM
That looks so yummy! Thanks for sharing that. Sounds like we'll have to make an afternoon bake-em-up project for the freezer!
Posted by: Melissa | January 10, 2008 at 10:08 AM
YUMMO!
So what is the preferred method for reheating from the freezer?
Posted by: Marsha | January 10, 2008 at 10:35 AM
These sound great for make-ahead lunches for the kids! Thanks for sharing your recipe :)
Posted by: My Inspired Heart - Sandra | January 10, 2008 at 10:46 AM
These look great Randi -- thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | January 10, 2008 at 12:41 PM
These sound really yummy...thanks, Randi.
Posted by: Debi | January 10, 2008 at 12:52 PM
Yum! Thanks for the idea of having the sauce on the side. That is a really great idea Randi.
Posted by: Solidia | January 10, 2008 at 01:14 PM
Oh, yum! this will be on my list for next week's dinners!
Posted by: Christine | January 10, 2008 at 01:40 PM
Great idea! We've been in such a lunch rut lately, I know my hubby will appreciate these tomorrow!
Posted by: Bean | January 10, 2008 at 02:14 PM
I'm fixing these for dinner tonight! I just made the dough and will stuff them with ham and cheese.
Thanks for a new idea to use all this ham! =)
Posted by: Brenda on the S OR Coast | January 10, 2008 at 05:10 PM
Great, Randi! These will have to go on the list of things to make SOON!
Posted by: Denise | January 10, 2008 at 05:22 PM
Oh, my... Looks VERY YUMMY and I am VERY HUNGRY!!! THanks for sharing!
Posted by: Christina | January 10, 2008 at 05:52 PM
Yum! This is making me hungry!
Posted by: Tracy | January 10, 2008 at 07:55 PM
yummy. My kids love making Calzones too, but we don't do it very often. I'll have to try freezing them.
Posted by: DebD | January 10, 2008 at 08:35 PM
Thanks for the recipe! I love clazones. I like sauce served on the side also.
Posted by: Oiyi | January 10, 2008 at 09:23 PM
I've never ventured into the calzone making department. You've totally inspired me. Now all I would need is the nutritional information.
and you should totally join my contest. I dare ya.
Posted by: Emily | January 10, 2008 at 09:25 PM
What a great, NEW idea I can add to the ever-so-boring supper list of things to make, lol. Thanks!
Posted by: Stacy T | January 10, 2008 at 10:31 PM
Randi you make it look so easy and yummy. perhaps this might be something for our family to test out this weekend.
Posted by: erin s | January 10, 2008 at 11:21 PM
I've never even considered making these before. I always assumed it would be something really hard and involved, but you make it sound so easy! Plus, I love finding things to make ahead and freeze for those nights I don't feel like cooking. I REALLY appreciate this post! :-)
Posted by: Renna | January 11, 2008 at 12:30 AM
I didn't know Calzones were real. I thought they only came frozen in a box.
BigREdDriver
Posted by: Kate | January 11, 2008 at 04:42 AM
I didn't know Calzones were real. I thought they only came frozen in a box.
BigREdDriver
Posted by: Kate | January 11, 2008 at 04:42 AM
thanks for these. i was just thinking i needed to mix up our weekly pizza night. the kids will LOVE helping with these.
Posted by: Cici | January 11, 2008 at 05:14 AM
yum...nice dough recipe, thanks for sharing. I'll be making mine meat-free though ;o) Happy weekend ((HUGS))
Posted by: Tracy | January 11, 2008 at 07:32 AM
They look so good - I wonder if we could make a WW variety? Along with the regular type. I wouldn't want to feel left out :)
Posted by: Islandsparrow | January 11, 2008 at 09:44 AM
could you just come over and make our dough for us. i'm not so good at that part. =)
Posted by: lora | January 11, 2008 at 10:42 AM
Ohhh those look so good and I guess I shouldn't have stopped here right before lunch because now I'm REALLY hungry!
Blessings,
Tammy ~@~
Posted by: Tammy | January 11, 2008 at 10:52 AM
Those look so good! Okay, I'm hungry now ;o)
Posted by: Ram in the Thicket | January 11, 2008 at 01:32 PM
I made these for lunch today and they came out so good!! Thanks again for the recipe! Just one suggestion to add... before you fold over the dough to assemble the calzone, brush with a little water on one edge of your circle, to make the edges stick together better when you press them down with the fork ;)
Posted by: Bean | January 11, 2008 at 01:50 PM
We do these too, only I'm lazy and use Rhodes dough instead of making my own.. and mine are not as pretty. ~Karlie
Posted by: Karlie | January 11, 2008 at 03:05 PM
Yummo - I will be adding these to my food freezing mix:-) Thanks for the reminder, my kids are over quesadillas:-)
Posted by: Amber (Homeschool Diva) | January 11, 2008 at 09:46 PM
I did it i finally made them, I have been wanting to for a long time and seeing your caused me to just do it! but as always randi yours look better than mine, but mine still taste good!
Posted by: sarah | January 11, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Okay, now I have to go rummage for a snack! Those look so yummy. :)
Posted by: Christy | January 11, 2008 at 11:49 PM
My husband told me that I had to come back and comment. I used your calzone recipe and made them for dinner last night. I used chicken/broccoli/ranch dressing and provolone cheese.
It's requested again soon! thank you.
Posted by: Emily | January 12, 2008 at 08:45 AM
These look yummy Randi. I think I'll make some the next time I'm making pizza dough..
xo
Posted by: Susie | January 13, 2008 at 11:00 AM
My family liked these so much that I dedicated a blog post to them. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Posted by: Wendy | January 13, 2008 at 11:57 AM
These sound delicious!!!!! I'm definately going to make some for dinner tonight..
Posted by: Jodie | January 13, 2008 at 04:19 PM
Hi Randi!
It was good to hear from you this morning! I have been so out of the blogging and loop lately and just dont' seem to *get out* much anymore. ;) Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
As always, I am usual, I am leaving your blog so inspired. Must make those yummy calzones, and my booklist for the year!
blessings to you and yours in 2008~
Posted by: beth | January 13, 2008 at 04:40 PM
I finally got around to making these tonight! They were great =) We filled them with BBQ meatballs (homemade) and chedder cheese, then dipped them in parmesan ranch dressing...They were fantastic!
Thanks for the gret recipe!
Posted by: Heather W | January 13, 2008 at 05:15 PM
Great idea - I'm always looking for something that can be made ahead. Thanks!
Posted by: jessi | January 13, 2008 at 11:09 PM
I've tried making calzones, but they never turned out. I'll have to try your recipe, it looks good. Maybe it was because of the sauce inside.
Posted by: Judy | January 14, 2008 at 07:10 PM
Your recipe was a blessing to me. My family enjoyed it; thank you!
Posted by: Denise | January 14, 2008 at 11:01 PM
Mmmmmmmmmmmmm i like wat I see.
Kind regards
Sonnja from the Netherlands
Beertje Zonn
Posted by: Sonnja | January 14, 2008 at 11:26 PM
I made these last night and my family loved them. I stuffed them with (browned) spicy turkey sausage, green and red bell peppers and mozzarella cheese. Baked on a pizza stone with a little cornmeal on it, they came out brown, crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. Delish!
Lynn
Posted by: SoCalLynn | January 15, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Funny (to me) that you had this posted next to the wicked-good post. Oddly enough, I associate calzones with Maine. I worked in downtown Portland and used to walk to one of the little corner stores to buy calzones for lunch. Such a pretty city when the tulips bloom!
Posted by: Jodi | January 17, 2008 at 01:57 PM
One of my favorite calzones is one we used to get in Maine.. a spaghetti calzone. When we make spaghetti for dinner, I make extra so later in the week we can make the calzones. YUM. I never thought of freezing them.. brilliant!
Posted by: TracyMichele | January 20, 2008 at 12:16 PM
Oh I can't wait to try! Thanks!
Posted by: Amy @ By His Grace | January 20, 2008 at 04:01 PM
These sound delicious. I make something similar but think I'm going to have to try your recipe and freeze some. Thanks!
Posted by: Britni | January 20, 2008 at 07:33 PM
These were so good. I'm usually not one to make this much effort, but it was well worth it. I like these better than pizza. Thanks for sharing with us.
Posted by: Jayme | January 26, 2008 at 06:16 PM
Hey, we made these. They are really good. I don't have a bread machine (anymore), so I had to do it the long way, but they were still really good.
Now, how do you warm them up from the freezer? I'm guessing the oven is the best bet. Temperature and length of time??
Hugs,
Melinda
Posted by: Melinda | February 11, 2008 at 02:59 PM
Wow, this sure is a popular recipe!! I know I've commented before, but I thought I should tell you that my hubby requests these once a week now, heh! I'm making them again today, with spinach, mozzerella and pancetta, mmmm!!!
Posted by: Bean | April 03, 2008 at 12:51 PM