Real Italian Calzones for 8

Ingredients and Weight:

• 2 pounds refrigerated pizza dough
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 small onions, thinly sliced (about 2 cups)
• 1 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced (about 1 cup)
• 1 medium green bell pepper, thinly sliced (about 1 cup)
• 1 pound spicy Italian sausage, removed from casing
• 8 ounces sliced mushrooms
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup shredded provolone cheese
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Preparation Time:

30 minutes

Cooking Time:

20-25 minutes

Difficulty Level:

2 (Moderate)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
2. Divide pizza dough into 8 equal pieces. Roll out each piece into a 12-inch circle.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions, red and green peppers, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
4. Add sausage and mushrooms to the skillet and cook until browned.
5. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, or until sauce has thickened.
6. Place 1/4 cup of the sauce mixture on one half of each dough circle. Top with mozzarella and provolone cheeses. Fold the other half of the dough over the filling and seal the edges with a fork.
7. Brush calzones with olive oil and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
8. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.

Nutritional Information:

• Calories: 450 per serving
• Fat: 18 grams per serving
• Protein: 25 grams per serving
• Carbohydrates: 45 grams per serving

Dish Characteristics:

• Savory and aromatic
• Crispy crust and tender filling
• Well-balanced flavors with a hint of spice
• Convenient and shareable appetizer or main course

User Comments:

• "These calzones are amazing! The crust is perfect and the filling is so flavorful." - John
• "I love that the sauce is not too spicy. It's perfect for my whole family." - Mary
• "The combination of cheeses is delicious and the Parmesan crust adds a nice touch." - Sarah

Special Precautions and Tips:

• Use the freshest ingredients possible for the best flavor.
• Do not overfill the calzones, or they will be difficult to seal.
• If you do not have a pizza stone, bake the calzones on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Let the calzones cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.