Italian Calzones
Description
These homemade Italian calzones are the ultimate comfort food, featuring a tender bread dough exterior that wraps around a hearty, flavorful filling. The combination of lean ground beef, earthy mushrooms, and crisp green peppers is seasoned with aromatic fennel, garlic, and a touch of crushed red pepper for a perfect balance of spice and savory depth. Each bite delivers a satisfying crunch followed by the warm, juicy interior. Ideal for a cozy family dinner or a fun weekend cooking project, these calzones bring restaurant-quality Italian flavor to your table.Ingredients
Directions
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Thaw the bread dough according to package directions until pliable.
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Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly coat a large baking sheet with vegetable cooking spray.
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In a large skillet over medium heat, combine the ground beef, mushrooms, onion, green bell pepper, evaporated skim milk, bread crumbs, oregano, crushed red pepper, fennel seed, and garlic.
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Cook the mixture, stirring frequently and crumbling the meat, until the beef is browned and cooked through, about 10 minutes.
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Stir in the tomato sauce, sugar, and salt. Continue to cook for 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
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Remove the skillet from heat and let the filling cool slightly to prevent the dough from becoming soggy.
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Divide the dough into 8 equal portions. Keep the unused portions covered with a damp towel to prevent drying.
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On a lightly floured surface, roll one portion of dough into a 1/8-inch thick circle, approximately 6 inches in diameter.
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Place the dough circle on the prepared baking sheet. Spoon about 1/3 cup of the meat mixture onto one half of the circle.
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Moisten the edge of the dough with water using your finger. Fold the empty half of the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape.
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Press the edges firmly with a fork to seal the calzone completely. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.
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Lightly coat the tops of the calzones with vegetable cooking spray.
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Bake for 20 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and crisp.
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Remove from the oven and immediately coat with a little more cooking spray for a shiny finish. Serve warm.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 10 servings
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 765.9kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 16.9g26%
- Saturated Fat 5.5g28%
- Cholesterol 86.3mg29%
- Sodium 2172.3mg91%
- Total Carbohydrate 100.5g34%
- Dietary Fiber 8.2g33%
- Sugars 13.4g
- Protein 51.6g104%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
