Pepperoni Calzones

Learn how to make easy Pepperoni Calzones at home with this simple recipe that starts with pizza dough, filled with a mozzarella and ricotta cheese, pepperoni slices, and then baked to golden brown cheesy perfection in the oven. Calzones are the best family dinner that everyone will love!

For more pizza-inspired recipes be sure and try my French Bread Pizza, this One Pot Pizza Pasta, or my Pepperoni Pizza Biscuit Casserole. 

Pepperoni Calzones Recipe

These pepperoni calzones are an easy dinner recipe that everyone will love! So simple to make with store-bought (or homemade) pizza dough, a cheesy filling of mozzarella cheese and ricotta cheese, pepperoni slices, and Italian seasoning over top. These calzones bake to golden brown, cheesy perfection and they're best served with a side of marina sauce, or pizza sauce, for dipping. 

I also love this recipe because it's easy to make more for a larger crowd, or just make 2 calzones for a smaller serving size. There are also lots of different fillings you can use so make sure to read below for all my tips and ideas!

Ingredients Needed

• Pizza Dough - You can use a roll of pizza dough (like the refrigerated Pillsbury brand or store brand) or you can use your favorite homemade pizza dough as well. Make sure that it is a large size, about 11"-12" in diameter. Some stores also sell homemade, fresh pizza dough in the deli area of the store. 
• Ricotta Cheese - This provides that creamy and cheesy filling in the middle. 
• Mozzarella Cheese - For best results, shred your own cheese from a block of mozzarella. If you need to use the bag of already shredded stuff, I highly recommend using a 'creamy melt' version or a whole milk version. 
• Parmesan Cheese - Use grated from a can or shred parmesan cheese from a wedge. Any type of parmesan cheese will work fine. 
• Pepperoni
• Kosher Salt - To sprinkle on top of the calzones before baking. This is optional and you don't need to use it. 
• Italian Seasoning - This is divided in the recipe, meaning that you will use some in the ricotta filling and then the rest on top before you bake the calzones. 
• Egg + Water - This is the egg wash that gets brushed on top of the calzone pieces before baking. It makes it golden brown and almost flakey-like. 

How To Make Pepperoni Calzones with Pizza Dough

Learn how to make calzones at home with these easy to follow steps. Be sure and read to the bottom of the page where there is a printable recipe card and a pin it button so you can save it for later. 

• Prep : Heat the oven to 375 degrees F . Prepare a baking sheet by lining with parchment paper, foil, or spray it lightly with cooking spray. 
• Ricotta Cheese Mix : In a mixing bowl, stir together the ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, and ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning. Set aside for later. 
• Pizza Dough : Cut the pizza dough in half. Use a rolling pin to roll each half into a circle. 
• Calzones : Place half of the ricotta mixture in the bottom half of the calzone. Top with 4 slices of pepperoni and half the shredded mozzarella cheese. Fold over the top half and use your fingers to crimp or press them together. 
• Egg Wash : Whisk an egg + water and then use a pastry brush to brush it all over the top of each calzone. 
• Bake : Loosely tent the baking sheet with tin foil and cook for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and cook for another 10-15 minutes or until the crust is a deep golden brown color. 

Pepperoni Calzones FAQ's

• How To Store Leftover Calzones

  • Store any leftovers in an airtight container, in the fridge, for 3-4 days. Leftovers will be soggy and softer so you will probably want to heat up leftovers in the air fryer for a few minutes to crisp them up again. 
  • You can also eat it cold (cold pizza is always yummy for some reason) or warm it up in the microwave. I don't mind the softer pizza dough crust when it's warmed up in the microwave but some might. 

• Variation & Substitution Ideas

  • Calzone Filling : Canadian bacon slices, crumbled cooked Italian sausage, chopped cooked bacon pieces, or just cheese are all great variation ideas for the filling. You can also add some sliced black olives, pineapple (make sure it's not wet at all, pat dry it with a paper towel), chopped tomatoes, jalapeños, etc. Just make sure that you don't overload the pizza crust with filling or else it won't be able to be folded in half and crimped for baking. 
  • Cheese : Mozzarella and parmesan are the classic pizza cheese but feel free to use anything! Pepper Jack cheese for some spice, Muenster cheese (my fave!), or even a pizza mix with cheddar cheese in it. 
  • Seasonings : I love the simple addition of the Italian seasoning but feel free to add whatever you want. Garlic powder, basil, or red pepper flakes are all good additions. 

• Serving Suggestions

  • Serve calzones with a side of marinara sauce or pizza sauce for dipping. 
  • My kids love to dip theirs in this Homemade Ranch Dressing. 
  • A side salad is always a good idea with Italian type meals like this one. I buy a bag of butter lettuce mix, add some sliced mini cucumbers, and halved cherry tomatoes. It's an easy way to dress up a bagged salad mix and add more veggies to it. Add whatever veggies your kids love!

Recipe Tips

Here are a few of my helpful tips so that you can have success recreating this recipe in your own kitchen ♥

• Calzone Filling : It's important to not overfill the calzones. If you have too much filling then it will be harder to pinch the two doughs together. You want to make sure you have plenty of dough to pinch or crimp together so the filling does not leak out during the bake time. If you follow the recipe as-is then you'll be fine. This is mainly if you are using another filling like sausage or bacon, etc. 
• Egg Wash Tip : Don't skip this! The egg wash is what helps the calzone bake up flakey and gives it that beautiful golden brown color. It also holds the seasoning too. If you are making more than 2 calzones there is no need to double or triple the egg wash. One egg + water called for in the recipe is plenty for however many calzones you choose to make. 
• Pizza Dough : I usually keep it easy and just buy the tube of pizza dough (Pillsbury brand or store brand) but you can also make your own pizza dough, or buy pizza dough in the deli section at your grocery store. Make sure it's for a large sized pizza (11" - 12") if using your own dough. 

More Easy Family-Friendly Dinner Recipes

• Quick Dinner Recipes - All my quick dinner recipes in one spot!
• Easy Pretzel Dogs - This recipe uses ready-to-use bread dough that gets wrapped around a hot dog.
• Perfect Instant Pot Baked Ziti - A family favorite ready in minutes!
• Cheeseburger Biscuit Cups - Biscuit dough filled with ground beef and smooth velveeta cheese. 
• One Pan Chicken and Noodles - Creamy noodles and peas. It's a great recipe to use up leftover chicken or a rotisserie chicken. 
• Classic Sloppy Joes Recipe - Nothing fancy, just the classic flavors.