This classic calzone recipe is made with homemade pizza dough filled with Italian cheeses, veggies, and pepperoni, resulting in a tasty pizza pocket with a crispy, golden-brown crust and warm, cheesy center.

How to Make a Classic Calzone: Italian Calzone Recipe

A calzone is a baked [Italian dish](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-italian-ingredients-and-recipes) made with a [pizza crust](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/the-best-homemade-pizza-dough-recipe-plus-12-homemade-pizza-recipe-ideas) folded into a semicircle and stuffed with fillings. The calzone originated in Naples, Italy, and comes from the Italian word ‘calze,’ meaning trousers or stockings. The name reflects the portability of the calzone, which is intended to be eaten on the go. 

Similar to a stromboli, which is made out of dough rolled into a spiral to create a cylindrical shape, a calzone is a versatile vehicle for a wide range of ingredients. Classic calzone fillings include [ricotta](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ricotta-salata-guide) and mozzarella cheese, meats, and vegetables. Tomato sauce or [marinara sauce](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-marinara-sauce) is traditionally served on the side of the baked pocket.
There is no shortage of filling options for this versatile baked dish. These are just some of the ingredients that can be included in a tasty homemade calzone. 

1. __Mix up the meats__. While traditional pizza toppings like pepperoni and Italian sausage make delicious fillings for any calzone, you can experiment with adding other meats like prosciutto, grilled chicken, bacon, and meatballs. 
2. __Load up on vegetables__. Vegetables like peppers, onions, mushrooms, and black olives are a great way to add flavor to a calzone. Other toothsome produce options include caramelized onion, potato, and arugula. 
3. __Play around with cheeses__. There is no shortage of delightful cheeses that can be featured in a calzone, from the standard mozzarella, ricotta, [Parmigiano Reggiano](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-using-parmesan-cheese#what-is-parmigiano-reggiano), and [Pecorino Romano](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-pecorino-cheese), to less conventional options like Gruyère, [feta](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-serve-and-store-feta-cheese), or creamy [goat cheese](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/goat-cheese-vs-sheep-cheese). 
4. __Switch up the sauce__. For a twist on the traditional calzone, try filling your dough with different Italian sauces like [pesto](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/kale-pesto-recipe), garlic sauce, or [alfredo sauce](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-alfredo-sauce).
5. __Add a hint of sweetness__. Subtly sweet additions like [fig jam](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/fig-jam-recipe), pineapple, and pear will bring a satisfying contrast of sweetness to any calzone.
6. __Incorporate seafood__. Naples is known for its seafood, so it’s no surprise that ingredients like prawns, clams, and anchovies work well in this traditional Italian dish. 
7. __New school calzones__. For those ready to branch out of the Italian realm, your calzone is the perfect vehicle for non-traditional flavor variations. You can easily make your calzone Hawaiian style (with Canadian bacon and pineapple), cheeseburger style (with hamburger, onion, bacon, and cheddar cheese), taco-style (with ground beef, refried beans, black olives, and <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-mexican-cheese' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-mexican-cheese","linkCopy":"Mexican cheese","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>Mexican cheese</a>), BBQ chicken style (with chicken, barbecue sauce, and red onion), or buffalo chicken style (with chicken, buffalo sauce, blue cheese, and ranch dressing).
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This classic calzone recipe is made with homemade pizza dough filled with Italian cheeses, veggies, and pepperoni, resulting in a tasty pizza pocket with a crispy, golden-brown crust and warm, cheesy center.

A calzone is a baked <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-italian-ingredients-and-recipes' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-italian-ingredients-and-recipes","linkCopy":"Italian dish","category":null}'>Italian dish</a> made with a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/the-best-homemade-pizza-dough-recipe-plus-12-homemade-pizza-recipe-ideas' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/the-best-homemade-pizza-dough-recipe-plus-12-homemade-pizza-recipe-ideas","linkCopy":"pizza crust","category":null}'>pizza crust</a> folded into a semicircle and stuffed with fillings. The calzone originated in Naples, Italy, and comes from the Italian word ‘calze,’ meaning trousers or stockings. The name reflects the portability of the calzone, which is intended to be eaten on the go. Similar to a stromboli, which is made out of dough rolled into a spiral to create a cylindrical shape, a calzone is a versatile vehicle for a wide range of ingredients. Classic calzone fillings include <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ricotta-salata-guide' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ricotta-salata-guide","linkCopy":"ricotta","category":null}'>ricotta</a> and mozzarella cheese, meats, and vegetables. Tomato sauce or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-marinara-sauce' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-marinara-sauce","linkCopy":"marinara sauce","category":null}'>marinara sauce</a> is traditionally served on the side of the baked pocket.

What Is a Calzone?

There is no shortage of filling options for this versatile baked dish. These are just some of the ingredients that can be included in a tasty homemade calzone. <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Mix up the meats. While traditional pizza toppings like pepperoni and Italian sausage make delicious fillings for any calzone, you can experiment with adding other meats like prosciutto, grilled chicken, bacon, and meatballs. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Load up on vegetables. Vegetables like peppers, onions, mushrooms, and black olives are a great way to add flavor to a calzone. Other toothsome produce options include caramelized onion, potato, and arugula. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Play around with cheeses. There is no shortage of delightful cheeses that can be featured in a calzone, from the standard mozzarella, ricotta, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-using-parmesan-cheese#what-is-parmigiano-reggiano' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-using-parmesan-cheese#what-is-parmigiano-reggiano","linkCopy":"Parmigiano Reggiano","category":null}'>Parmigiano Reggiano</a>, and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-pecorino-cheese' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-pecorino-cheese","linkCopy":"Pecorino Romano","category":null}'>Pecorino Romano</a>, to less conventional options like Gruyère, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-serve-and-store-feta-cheese' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-serve-and-store-feta-cheese","linkCopy":"feta","category":null}'>feta</a>, or creamy <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/goat-cheese-vs-sheep-cheese' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/goat-cheese-vs-sheep-cheese","linkCopy":"goat cheese","category":null}'>goat cheese</a>. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Switch up the sauce. For a twist on the traditional calzone, try filling your dough with different Italian sauces like <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/kale-pesto-recipe' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/kale-pesto-recipe","linkCopy":"pesto","category":null}'>pesto</a>, garlic sauce, or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-alfredo-sauce' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-alfredo-sauce","linkCopy":"alfredo sauce","category":null}'>alfredo sauce</a>. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Add a hint of sweetness. Subtly sweet additions like <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/fig-jam-recipe' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/fig-jam-recipe","linkCopy":"fig jam","category":null}'>fig jam</a>, pineapple, and pear will bring a satisfying contrast of sweetness to any calzone. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 6. Incorporate seafood. Naples is known for its seafood, so it’s no surprise that ingredients like prawns, clams, and anchovies work well in this traditional Italian dish. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 7. New school calzones. For those ready to branch out of the Italian realm, your calzone is the perfect vehicle for non-traditional flavor variations. You can easily make your calzone Hawaiian style (with Canadian bacon and pineapple), cheeseburger style (with hamburger, onion, bacon, and cheddar cheese), taco-style (with ground beef, refried beans, black olives, and <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-mexican-cheese' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-mexican-cheese","linkCopy":"Mexican cheese","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>Mexican cheese</a>), BBQ chicken style (with chicken, barbecue sauce, and red onion), or buffalo chicken style (with chicken, buffalo sauce, blue cheese, and ranch dressing). </li></ol>

7 Ideas for Calzone Fillings

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Calzone Recipe

This classic calzone recipe is made with homemade pizza dough filled with Italian cheeses, veggies, and pepperoni, resulting in a tasty pizza pocket with a crispy, golden-brown crust and warm, cheesy center.

This classic calzone recipe is made with homemade pizza dough filled with Italian cheeses, veggies, and pepperoni, resulting in a tasty pizza pocket with a crispy, golden-brown crust and warm, cheesy center.
