Pepperoni and Cheese Calzones

These toasty pizza pockets are crammed with zesty sauce, gooey cheese, and plenty of smoky pepperoni. And thanks to store-bought pizza dough, they’re ready in a flash.

Course Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine American, Italian

Keyword calzone, easy calzone recipe, pepperoni and cheese

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 15

Total Time 35

Servings

Calories 242kcal

Author Robin Miller

Ingredients

2 pounds fresh store-bought pizza dough, or frozen pizza dough, thawed according to the package directions
1 cup pizza sauce plus more for dipping (warm the dipping sauce)
2 cups shredded mozzarella
1 cup sliced pepperoni
2 tablespoons butter melted
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or spray it with cooking spray.
Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces and shape each piece into a ball. Roll each ball into a 1/4-inch-thick circle.
Spoon the pizza sauce on the center of each circle (about 2 tablespoons of sauce per calzone). Top the sauce with the mozzarella and pepperoni (about 1/4 cup of cheese and 5 slices of pepperoni per calzone).
Pull up one side of the dough and stretch it over the filling to reach the other side, making a half moon. Pinch around the edges to seal. Transfer the calzones to the prepared baking sheet.
In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, parsley, and garlic powder. Brush the calzones with the butter mixture. Using a sharp knife, cut a slit in the top of each calzone to allow steam to escape during baking.
Sprinkle the tops of the calzones with the parmesan cheese.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until golden brown.
Cool for 5 minutes before serving with warm pizza sauce on the side.

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