Loaded Calzone

By now, most of you reading this know about my deep, passionate love affair with… Italian food!  I have never made a calzone before but since I’m on a kick of making my own bread, breadsticks, pizza crusts, etc. I decided it was time to make my own calzone!!!

I simply took my pizza dough recipe, altered it a little and made a calzone dough, then filled it with all my favorite things!  That’s the great thing about pizza and calzones, you can “load” them with whatever you like!!

Ingredients (dough) – (makes 1 calzone, serves 4)

• .25 oz active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm water
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp granulated sugar
• 1 tsp garlic salt
• 2 1/2 cups flour

Start by combining the yeast and water.  Wait for the mixture to bubble, then add the oil, sugar and salt.

Now, add in the flour and work into a ball. Place on a floured surface and kneed for 10 minutes.

Now place the dough in a large bowl coated in olive oil, flip, cover and allow to rise for 45 minutes or until doubled in size.

In the mean time prepare the filling ingredients.

Ingredients (filling)

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 green bell pepper (chopped)
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 tbsp fresh basil (chopped)
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup parmesan/romano cheese
• 1 cup homemade tomato basil marinara (for dipping)

Start by browning the ground beef. Once cooked and drained of grease add in the bell pepper, onion and garlic and cook on medium-low heat for an additional 5 minutes.

Next add in the spices and cook on low for an additional 3-4 minutes.

At this time the calzone dough should be doubled in size and ready to be rolled out. Roll the dough into a thin, oval shape.

Now start by filling with the ricotta cheese. (I added some of the spices to the ricotta as well to give it that little extra kick of flavor!)

Next, place the ground beef mixture on top.

Lastly, top with the remaining cheeses.

Now fold the dough over and use your fingers to crimp the edges and form a tight seal around the calzone.

Brush the top with olive oil to give it that nice brown crust.

Place in a 375° oven for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown.

By this picture you get an idea of just how GIANT this calzone is!  You can easily half the recipe to make a smaller version or divide the dough in half to make two calzones with different fillings for friends or family members with differing tastes!

That’s some Italian meaty-cheesy deliciousness right there!!!

Serve with a warm side of marinara sauce for dipping!

♣ Vegetarian Option: Substitute vegetables such as spinach, mushrooms or eggplant for the ground beef.

♥ All pottery seen on the littleleopardbook can be purchased by visiting www.longaberger.com/muffetbond or e-mailing keepsakebl@sbcglobal.net.