By Krista Teigen
Updated Dec 1, 2025
These easy homemade calzones are a family favorite around here. I mean, we love pizza, but calzones are such a fun way to mix it up. They’re golden and crispy on the outside, warm and cheesy on the inside, and packed with all the good stuff. We love sausage, pepperoni, and melty mozzarella. They’re great for using up leftover toppings, easy to freeze, and simple enough to make with store-bought dough. If you’ve never tried making them at home, don’t worry, it’s way easier than it looks, and a great way to feed a crowd.
What I love most about calzones is how easy they are to make on your own. Everyone in the family can fill theirs with whatever they like, and my kids love making their own. Sometimes I use store-bought dough to keep it quick, but when I have the time, I’ll whip up a batch of my homemade pizza dough , which makes them even better. They bake up in about 20 minutes and freeze beautifully, so I often make extra to stash away for those nights when I need something easy and comforting.
Tips for Beginners
- Prevent sticking. Lightly flour a clean work surface before rolling out the dough to prevent sticking. I also like to flour my rolling pin.
- Seal the calzones. To seal the edges of the calzones, lightly moisten them along the edges with water and press them firmly.
- Don’t overfill. I know it’s tempting to throw as many toppings as possible into the calzone, but overfilling can lead to a big mess. If you overfill them, it gets tough to seal the edges properly, and things can start oozing out while they bake.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 8 oz. Italian sausage cooked into crumbles
- ▢ 2 lbs. pizza dough store-bought or homemade
- ▢ 1 cup pizza sauce
- ▢ ½ cup pepperoni
- ▢ ½ cup chopped onion
- ▢ 1 green bell pepper chopped
- ▢ 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- ▢ 1½ cups shredded mozzarella
- ▢ 1 egg + 2 tsp water for the egg wash
Video
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Divide the dough into 4 pieces and shape into balls.
- Roll out each piece of dough on a floured surface.
- Spoon the pizza sauce onto half of the surface of each piece of dough. Top with your preferred pizza fixings.
- Dip your pointer finger into a small dish of water. Then, run your finger along the edges of the dough.
- Take the top portion of the dough and fold it over the fillings to create a half moon shape. Pinch the edges of the dough together to seal.
- Use a sharp knife to cut 2 small slits on the top of the calzones to vent.
- In a small dish, whisk together the egg and water. Brush the egg wash over the calzones.
- Bake in the oven for 15 minutes until the tops of the calzones are golden brown.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Calzones Step by Step
Gather the ingredients: Gather all the ingredients together and preheat the oven to 400°F.
Divide and roll: Divide 2 pounds of pizza dough into 4 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each piece of dough into an oval.
Add the toppings: Spoon ¼ of a cup (totalling 1 cup) of pizza sauce onto each piece of rolled out dough. Top each piece with ½ cup pepperoni (divided), ½ cup chopped onion (divided), 1 chopped green pepper (divided), 1 cup sliced mushrooms (divided), and 1½ cups shredded mozzarella (divided).
Seal the edges: Lightly dip your finger in water and run it along the edges of the dough to help seal the calzone. Fold the dough over the fillings to form a half-moon shape. Press the edges together firmly to seal, making sure none of the filling escapes.
Add steam vents: Use a sharp knife to cut two small slits on top of each calzone. This lets steam escape while baking and helps prevent the dough from bursting.
Brush with egg wash: Whisk 1 egg and 2 tsp water together in a small bowl. Place the calzones on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, then brush them with the egg wash for a golden, glossy finish.
Bake the calzones: Place the calzones in the oven and bake them for 15 minutes until they’re golden brown.
How to Store and Reheat
Let any leftover calzones cool completely before storing. You can keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
For longer storage, wrap each one tightly in foil or plastic wrap and place in a zip-top bag—freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10–15 minutes if refrigerated, or 20–25 minutes straight from the freezer.
Variations
You can customize these calzones to your liking. Consider adding these ingredients:
- Cooked spinach or kale
- Ricotta or goat cheese for extra creaminess
- Black olives or sun-dried tomatoes
- Cooked bacon or ham
- Fresh basil or oregano
- Roasted red peppers
- Crushed red pepper flakes for heat
- Leftover grilled veggies
- Artichoke hearts or caramelized onions
- A sprinkle of Parmesan before baking for extra flavor
Serving Suggestions
We usually serve these with extra marinara , ranch, or our favorite— garlic aioli —for dipping. My kids love that part. A simple caesar salad or some roasted veggies make it feel like a full meal, and I like to finish mine with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or fresh basil. They also pack up great for lunch the next day.
More Easy Pizza recipes
Pizza Sticks
Pizza Bagels
Cast Iron Skillet Pizza
New York Style Pizza
Calzones
Ingredients
- 8 oz. Italian sausage cooked into crumbles
- 2 lbs. pizza dough store-bought or homemade
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- ½ cup pepperoni
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 1 green bell pepper chopped
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella
- 1 egg + 2 tsp water for the egg wash
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Divide the dough into 4 pieces and shape into balls.
- Roll out each piece of dough on a floured surface.
- Spoon the pizza sauce onto half of the surface of each piece of dough. Top with your preferred pizza fixings.
- Dip your pointer finger into a small dish of water. Then, run your finger along the edges of the dough.
- Take the top portion of the dough and fold it over the fillings to create a half moon shape. Pinch the edges of the dough together to seal.
- Use a sharp knife to cut 2 small slits on the top of the calzones to vent.
- In a small dish, whisk together the egg and water. Brush the egg wash over the calzones.
- Bake in the oven for 15 minutes until the tops of the calzones are golden brown.
Video
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
