Pepperoni Calzones Recipe

Try these delicious home-made calzones for an easy dinner, or if you ever want an alternative to pizza! Calzones are a great way to use up any leftover pasta sauce at the back of your fridge. With the no-knead pizza dough you can easily stuff it with pepperoni, creamy ricotta and mozzarella. An egg wash ensures they are sealed and prepared for baking.

Prep time: 20 mins
Cook time: 35 mins
Inactive time: 3 hrs
Total time: 3 hrs 55 mins
Servings: 4 to 6 servings
Yield: 4 to 6 calzones

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds prepared pizza dough
• 4-6 tablespoons marinara sauce, plus more for dipping
• 8 ounces ricotta cheese
• 4 ounces pepperoni, sliced
• 8 ounces grated mozzarella cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano

For the egg wash:

• 1 large egg wash
• 1 tablespoon water

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F
2. Divide the dough: Using the prepared pizza dough, split the dough into 4 evenly sized balls for large calzones or 6 for smaller ones. Work with one dough ball at a time and keep the remaining dough balls covered so they don’t dry out.
3. Roll out the dough: Transfer dough ball to a lightly floured surface. Using a rolling pin roll it out until you have a circle that is 6-8 inches in diameter, again depending on size you are looking for. If you are making four larger calzones, I would shoot for around 8 inches in diameter. If making the smaller version go for 6-inches.
   Roll out all the dough balls, so you can have an assembly line when it comes to time to fill the calzones. In the end you should have what looks like 4 to 6 mini pizza crusts waiting to be filled.
4. Fill the calzones: Leave a 1/2-inch boarder around the edge the dough so you can seal it later. Add about a tablespoon of marinara sauce on one half of the dough circle. Top the sauce with about two tablespoons of ricotta and spread it out over half of the dough, remembering to leave the boarder. Repeat with all remaining dough circles. Divide the diced pepperoni, mozzarella, and fresh oregano evenly among the calzones.
5. Seal the calzones: Once you have added the filling, dip your finger in some water and run it lightly around the edge of the calzone. Then take the unfilled side of the dough and fold it over the filling. Pinch the edges closed.
6. Create steam vents: Use a serrated knife to cut three slits in the top of each calzone to allow for steam to escape as it bakes.
7. Brush with egg wash: Once your calzones are sealed, make the egg wash. Add the egg and 1 tablespoon of water in small bowl and beat with a fork until combined. Use a pastry brush to brush the egg wash over the top of the calzones.
   Bake the calzones: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the calzones in the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the calzones are a deep golden brown all around.
8. To Serve: Serve the calzones while warm with extra marinara for dipping.

Source: Simply Recipes