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Easy Baked Pepperoni and Cheese Calzone: A Homemade Pizza Delight
If you love pizza but want a fun, portable twist, calzones are a perfect choice. This Easy Baked Pepperoni and Cheese Calzone recipe combines all your favorite pizza flavors into a warm, cheesy, handheld pocket that’s perfect for lunch, dinner, or even snacks. Best of all, it’s simple to make and requires just a few ingredients.
Why Try This Calzone Recipe?
Calzones are essentially folded pizzas that trap gooey cheese, savory pepperoni, and tangy sauce inside a golden crust. They’re easy to customize, less messy than a slice, and great for portion control. Making them at home means you get fresh ingredients, control over toppings, and the satisfaction of baking from scratch—even if you use store-bought dough!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 package pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 20-25 slices pepperoni
- ½ cup pizza sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Optional: dried oregano, garlic powder, or Parmesan cheese for extra flavor
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat Your Oven
Set the oven to 425°F (220°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
2. Roll Out the Dough
On a floured surface, roll the pizza dough into a circle about 12 inches in diameter.
3. Assemble the Filling
Spread the pizza sauce over half of the dough, leaving a border around the edges. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce, then layer with pepperoni slices.
4. Fold and Seal
Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Pinch the edges together tightly to seal the calzone. For extra security, crimp the edges with a fork.
5. Prepare for Baking
Brush the top of the calzone with olive oil. You can sprinkle some dried oregano or Parmesan cheese on top if you like.
6. Bake
Place the calzone on the baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and crispy.