Sausage and Pepperoni Cheese Stuffed Calzone
This is a great, tasty big calzone! I used one can of Pillsbury pizza dough (about 13.5 ounces) which is a great way to make this calzone quickly. I made one large calzone which was divided to serve two people.
This is a great, tasty big calzone! I used one can of Pillsbury pizza dough (about 13.5 ounces) which is a great way to make this calzone quickly. I made one large calzone which was divided to serve two people.
- 1 garlic clove minced
- salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 4 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1 1/2 cups sausage ground
- 1 lb pizza dough thawed
- 1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese, drained well
- 1 cup pepperoni slice cooked
- 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese grated, to taste
- 2 cups marinara sauce to dip, heated
- Carbohydrate 80.6163146034802 g
- Cholesterol 211.639500126503 mg
- Fat 71.4878163378252 g
- Fiber 4.10059989527787 g
- Protein 78.8838624411107 g
- Saturated Fat 33.8166277764381 g
- Serving Size 1 1 serving(s) (563g)
- Sodium 3304.2046767332 mg
- Sugar 76.5157147082023 g
- Trans Fat 4.80392601457554 g
- Calories 1287 calories
Step-by-step
- Preheat oven and pizza stone (if available) to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a large grill plan cook sausage until browned. Drain.
- In a medium bowl combine ricotta, mozzarella, garlic, seasonings, pepperoni and cooked sausage. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Roll dough out to a 15-inch circle on a pizza paddle or baking sheet that has been lightly dusted with cornmeal. It doesn't have to be a perfect circle.
- Spread meat and cheese filling over 1 side of the dough. Leave at least 1-inch of the edge without filling to ensure a tight seal.
- Lift 1 side of dough and fold over so that it meets the other side forming a half moon and pinch the edges together to seal using a fork to press edges together. Remove any excess dough which isn't needed for the seal.
- Brush with olive oil and sprinkle some parmesan cheese over top.
- Cut a few slits in the top to allow steam to release.
- Transfer calzone from pizza pad to pizza stone in oven.
- Bake 10-15 minutes until puffed up golden brown.
- Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
- Heat the marinara sauce in the microwave for dipping.
My Unexpected Culinary Adventure: A Calzone Story
Life as a busy marketing executive often leaves little time for elaborate cooking. My days are a whirlwind of meetings, presentations, and deadlines. Weekends are usually reserved for catching up on sleep and squeezing in a quick workout. So, when I found myself with an unexpected craving for something comforting and delicious, I turned to the simplest solution: a shortcut recipe. I stumbled upon a recipe for a sausage and pepperoni stuffed calzone, and I knew, deep down, this was going to be the perfect antidote to my week of stress.
The beauty of this calzone, aside from its undeniable deliciousness, lies in its simplicity. The use of pre-made pizza dough significantly reduced the preparation time, a huge boon for someone with my schedule. The process itself was surprisingly therapeutic. Kneading the dough (even the pre-made kind!), mixing the filling, and carefully sealing the calzone were calming rituals that allowed me to de-stress and connect with the simple act of creating something tasty from scratch. The aroma filling my apartment while it baked was pure comfort, a soothing balm to my busy mind. I’ve always found cooking to be meditative - a way to ground myself and escape the noise of work. This was no exception.
The result? A perfectly golden-brown, crispy calzone bursting with flavour. The rich, savory sausage and pepperoni, complemented by the creamy ricotta and gooey mozzarella, created a symphony of tastes that completely satisfied my craving. This isn't just a quick weeknight dinner; it's a delicious moment of self-care. It is a reminder that even amidst the chaos of daily life, time can be found for simple pleasures, and a tasty home-cooked meal can be a very effective way to recharge. It is a testament to the fact that simple, delicious food can be an incredibly effective stress reliever, and that making time to cook for yourself, even with a shortcut, is a worthy investment of time.
The process of making the calzone was unexpectedly therapeutic. I truly feel recharged and the experience allowed me to slow down and appreciate the simple things. The smell of the baking calzone filled my kitchen with warmth. This is truly a satisfying recipe that even the busiest individual can enjoy.
Beyond the deliciousness, the act of making this calzone became a little moment of mindfulness in my hectic life. The simple, repetitive steps – kneading, mixing, folding – were unexpectedly calming. It’s a reminder that even amidst the chaos, there’s always time for a small act of self-care, a simple pleasure that nourishes both the body and the soul.
This calzone is more than just a meal; it's a testament to the power of finding joy in simple things, even within the constraints of a busy schedule. So, whether you're a busy executive, a stay-at-home parent, or just someone who appreciates a delicious and easy meal, I highly recommend giving this recipe a try.
Ingredients:
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 4 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 ½ cups ground sausage
- 1 lb pizza dough, thawed
- 1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese, drained well
- 1 cup pepperoni slices, cooked
- 2 cups marinara sauce, for dipping, heated
