Cheese Calzone

Who doesn't love calzones?!  That cheese just oozing out of that perfectly crispy crust...amazing.  And now you can make them at home!

Cheese Calzone

Makes 4 small or 2 large calzones
Time: About 30 minutes

Ingredients:

7 oz whole milk ricotta
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
2 tablespoons basil pesto
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
All-purpose flour, as needed
1/2 pizza dough, or 8 oz of store-bought dough
4 ounces fresh mozzarella

Directions:

1. Heat the oven to 500ºF.  Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and lightly oil.  Allow baking sheet or pizza stone to preheat with the oven.

2.  In a bowl, stir together the ricotta, Parmesan, pesto, and pepper.

3.  On a lightly floured work surface, stretch or roll the dough into 2 large or 4 small rounds.  Spread the ricotta mixture on half of the dough, leaving a half-inch border all around.  Break up the mozzarella over the top of the ricotta mixture for each calzone.  Brush the edges with water and fold the dough in half over the filling.  Pinch the edges of the dough to seal.

4.  Transfer the calzones to the heated stone or baking sheet.  Bake until the crust is firm, about 15-20 minutes.  Let cool 5 minutes before serving.



Recipe adapted from NYT Cooking, "Pizza Calzone" by Melissa Clark