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Easy Ham and Cheese Calzones Recipe

4.7 from 132 reviews

These Easy Ham and Cheese Calzones are a delicious and satisfying handheld meal perfect for lunch or dinner. Made with tender pizza dough filled with a savory blend of diced ham, mozzarella, ricotta, Parmesan cheese, and aromatic herbs, these calzones are baked to golden perfection and brushed with olive oil for a crispy crust. Simple to prepare and incredibly flavorful, they make a great comfort food option that the whole family will enjoy.

Ingredients

Scale

Calzone Dough

  • 1 pound pizza dough

Filling

  • 1 cup cooked ham, diced
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

For Assembly

  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) to ensure it reaches the ideal baking temperature while you prepare the calzones.
  2. Prepare Dough: On a floured surface, divide the pizza dough into four equal portions. Roll each portion into an approximately 8-inch diameter circle to form the base of your calzones.
  3. Make Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the diced cooked ham, shredded mozzarella, ricotta, grated Parmesan, dried oregano, and garlic powder. Mix well to evenly distribute the ingredients.
  4. Assemble Calzones: Spoon a quarter of the filling onto one half of each dough circle, leaving a small border around the edges for sealing.
  5. Seal Calzones: Brush the dough edges with the beaten egg to act as a glue, then fold the dough over the filling to form a half-moon shape. Press the edges firmly with a fork to seal completely and prevent filling from leaking.
  6. Prepare for Baking: Place the calzones on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush the tops with olive oil to promote browning and glossiness, and make a small slit on the top of each calzone to allow steam to escape during baking.
  7. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the calzones are golden brown and cooked through.
  8. Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and allow the calzones to cool slightly before serving to avoid burns and let flavors settle.

Notes

  • You can substitute ham with cooked chicken or turkey if preferred.
  • For extra flavor, add fresh basil or red pepper flakes to the filling.
  • Make sure to seal the edges well to prevent cheese and filling from leaking during baking.
  • Leftover calzones can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
  • Serve with a side of marinara sauce for dipping.

Keywords: calzones, ham and cheese, pizza dough, easy recipe, baked calzones, Italian-American, comfort food