Is a calzone the same thing as a pizza but just in a different form? I know, it’s a deep philosophical question. 😉 I want to say yes because the components of each are identical, bread, cheese, sauce, and toppings. However, if I have a craving for pizza, a calzone won’t do the job, and if I have a craving for a calzone, pizza isn’t going to solve it either. Perhaps that means they actually are somehow different. How does that make sense? It doesn’t. Regardless, I still love me a tasty calzone, especially a homemade one.
Homemade Calzone Recipe
(Makes 2 large personal sized calzones)
Ingredients:
- 1 batch of Pizza Dough
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3/4 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
- 2 eggs, beaten (divided per the directions)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- (optional) fillings of your choice (pepperoni, mushrooms, etc.)
- (optional) toppings for on the outside (sesame seeds, herbs, etc.)
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- In a small bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, Mozzarella cheese, 1 egg, salt, pepper, and dried parsley. Set the cheese mixture aside.
- Roll out the pizza dough balls into two roughly 12 inch rounds on a baking sheet.
- Spoon half of the cheese mixture onto each of the dough circles. Leaving about one inch of exposed dough along the front edge and try not to go past half way back. (You will need to fold the dough over the filling.)
- (Optional) Top each cheese mixture with the fillings of your choice.
- Fold the dough over the cheese and fillings and then press the edges to seal them together.
- Brush the surface of each calzone with the 1 beaten egg.
- (Optional) Sprinkle sesame seeds, herbs, or grated cheese on top.
- Bake the calzones for about 22 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.
Calzones are super easy to make. It looks like you’re building a pizza on one side of the dough (minus the Marinara Sauce, which comes later to dunk this bad boy in).
Do you really need an egg in the cheese mixture? I actually asked myself this very question when I made this recipe because I had previously made calzones without it. I think the egg helps to firm up the cheese mixture. Without it, I find the cheese mixture is a bit runny.
I also used an egg wash on top of the crust. It’s not necessary to the flavor of the calzone but it does give it a beautiful sheen and if you add a sprinkle of something it helps it to stick properly. I love getting those presentation points. 😉
I enjoy making homemade calzones and pizzas because I can make them exactly how I want them. As many of you know, my husband is the bread maker in the family (see Dave’s Bread Corner) so he is really the one that made these. One day I’ll get over my silly fear of yeast and make them myself, but for now it’s just better to let him have his fun. I help my husband with whatever he needs though. Hey, a sous chef is very important. 😉
Have you ever bought a calzone and it had WAY too much cheese in it? Or worse, it hardly had any cheese at all? Or the cheese mixture is not a mixture at all, but instead it was just a pile of plain ricotta?
When you make them at home, you can include as much or as little as you want. We find this ratio of cheese and bread to be perfect. There is enough here to know it’s present, but it’s not a complete cheese fest (not that there’s anything wrong with a cheese fest, in general). As with everything homemade, if you want your cheese more herb-y go ahead and add more herbs. If you want more or less cheese, great, you can do that too. Doesn’t cooking give you a wonderful sense of control over what you put in your mouth?
To me, this cheese mixture has the perfect variety of cheeses and herbs and it tastes delicious as the filling for a cheese calzone with no extra fillings at all. However, today we were feeling a little something extra so we added fillings to our calzones. Since these are personal sized calzones, we each created our own calzone. My husband added pepperoni and mushrooms to his calzone and topped it with sesame seeds.
I added miniature tomatoes and fresh basil, sort of like a caprese calzone. Plus I sprinkled herbs de provence along the edge of the crust.
Not only are homemade calzones great because you build it to your personal preferences, but it’s also a fun process. We have so much fun, but it’s not a contest as to who’s tastes better. 😉 They were honestly both delicious. (My husband says his was better.)
Calzone versus pizza… same or different? What do you think?
Adapted from: The Pioneer Woman
If you’re craving pizza, this one is our favorite.
If you’re a fan of Dave’s Bread Corner, then you’ll love these recipes.
Calzones are so good! The more crust the better, I say : )
Totally! 🙂
Hi, Tina! Hmmm, interesting question … I think it might be about the texture? Pizzas are more about the crispy of the crust with just the right amount of toppings whereas a calzone is more about the oozy filling? Just off the top of my head. I love both, but have never made a calzone before. Maybe it’s about time! Love the thought of stuffing it with all that lovely ricotta!
Hmm, I totally buy that!
I love both pizza and calzones but I do think they are different … to me they taste totally different even though the ingredients / filling / toppings are usually so similar! This looks so so good … you have me craving both pizza and calzones now! lol
Lol! They must be different if we can crave for one or both of them. 🙂
I always crave pizza, never calzones – until right about now when I read your blog post! 🙂
That’s awesome. 🙂
I absolutely LOVE calzones! They are one of my husband’s favorite. I used to make them almost weekly when we were first married but I haven’t made them in forever! Thanks for reminding me how awesome these can be! Pinned
That’s so sweet that you make your hubby’s favorite for him and I’m guessing that he would love to start up that weekly tradition again. 😉 Thanks for pinning!
I wouldn’t say a calzone is a pizza replacement, but they are both delicious in their own right! I love your cheesy filling!
I think you’re right. 🙂
Woah…these look delicious! I’m sitting here drinking my morning cup of coffee, and all I want to be doing is chowing down on one of these calzones. Nice job!!
Oops, sorry, my friend. 😉
nothing is more disappointing in life than bitting into a calzone and not finding enough cheese. If I wanted bread, I’d eat bread! This on the other hand looks incredible!!!
I completely agree!
I have never made a homemade calzone, which I can’t even believe because I love them so much! You make it look so easy and super delicious! We would devour these in no time!!
You’re so sweet! Thanks. 🙂
We are huge calzone fans. My guys are always asking for them. I’ll make a big batch of dough and let everyone choose what they want in their calzone. Just like you said at home you are able to control what goes inside and make them exactly to your liking. Super awesome, right? These look perfect Tina!! I’m thinking this is what is for dinner tonight 😀
Can I come over for dinner tonight? 😉
I love it when everyone can make their own pizza/calzone. I’ve hosted “make your own pizza” dinner party and they’ve been super fun for everyone. (Plus, it’s a little less work for me!) 🙂
Looks delicious. Pinned it
Thanks so much! 🙂
Love the customization possible with these! Your caprese calzone sounds like perfection. And I totally agree with your analysis of the “pizza vs. calzone” question. Separate cravings = separate foods, despite the same ingredients. Pinning these. 🙂
Thanks Alyssa! 🙂
I love calzones and I love pizza but don’t ask me what the difference is!! Ha ha. Looks great!!
Hehe…Thanks my friend. 🙂
Obviously the only way to solve the calzone vs pizza debate is a side-by-side taste test…of each one…multiple times…just to make sure things are settled! I bravely volunteer myself for this task. 🙂
P.S. Your calzone looks terrific!
I like the way you think!!
What a great looking calzone! And I’m with you. When you want pizza, you need pizza. When you want a calzone, you need a calzone. There is no substituting, hahaha!
Yup-a-roonie! Thanks. 🙂
I love calzones! One of my favourites to order from a restaurant. Love the fillings and flavours!
Thanks so much!
I agree with Helen, it’s about the texture. Your calzone looks delicious. Kudos to you husband for making the bread.
Thank goodness my husband loves to make bread so I can enjoy these tasty homemade treats. 🙂 Thanks so much!
I love both pizza and calzones, but they are different. I agree, when I want pizza, calzones don’t come to mind. Calzones are in a league all their own, and this one looks delicious!
Thanks Marcie! 🙂
Yep, I’ve always thought of calzones as pizza’s rolled up counterpart! This is a delicious looking recipe, I’ve got to be careful visiting your blog after dinner. Midnight snack if choice? Calzones thankyouverymuch.
Hehe. 🙂
Tina, I’m so glad I wasn’t the only one pondering and wondering if they were the same or different! You have made these so beautifully!
Thanks so much, Gloria!
These are such pretty calzones, and pepperoni and mushrooms is one of my favorite combos. That was always the pizza we ordered when I was a kid, so I think there’s some nostalgia there besides the fact that it tastes delicious 🙂 Can’t wait to try these, Tina!
Wow, I thought pepperoni and mushrooms was something that only my husband did. I love reminiscing over food. 🙂
I’m craving calzones so badly right now! Yours have to be the best looking ones I’ve ever came across hehe. The egg tip is brilliant!
Wow, that means a lot to me! Thank you kindly, my friend. 🙂