Description
When you’re craving pizza night flavors but want something more filling and fun to eat, sausage calzones are the perfect answer. They’re warm, cheesy, handheld, and surprisingly simple to make with store-bought dough. Great for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or sharing with family and friends.
Ingredients
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1 lb (450 g) pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
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¾ lb (340 g) Italian sausage
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1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
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½ cup ricotta cheese
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¼ cup marinara or pizza sauce (plus extra for dipping)
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½ tsp Italian seasoning
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1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
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Optional: sautéed peppers, onions, or mushrooms
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Cook sausage in a skillet over medium heat until fully browned. Crumble and let cool slightly.
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Make filling: In a bowl, mix cooked sausage, mozzarella, ricotta, marinara sauce, and Italian seasoning. Add optional cooked veggies if using.
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Shape dough: Divide dough into 4 equal pieces. Roll each into a circle about ¼-inch thick.
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Fill: Spoon filling onto one half of each circle, leaving a 1-inch border around the edge.
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Fold & seal: Fold dough over to form a half-moon. Press edges firmly and crimp with a fork to seal.
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Vent & brush: Cut 2 small slits on top of each calzone. Brush tops with beaten egg.
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Bake 18–22 minutes, until golden brown and crisp.
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Cool 5 minutes before serving. Serve with warm marinara for dipping.
Notes
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Let dough rest at room temperature 30 minutes — it’s easier to roll.
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Don’t overfill or the calzones may burst open.
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Always cook vegetables first to remove extra moisture.
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For extra crisp crust, bake on the lower oven rack.
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These freeze well after baking — reheat in the oven for best texture.