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Recipe for Calzones Freezer Meal

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Calzones are a great make-ahead freezer meal for those busy nights when you don't have much time for cooking.

Recipe for Calzones Freezer Meal

We love to make recipes that are freezer friendly so we can stock up our freezer and just thaw & cook and there you go – a ready made meal! This calzone recipe with either a cheesy white filling or red sauce filling is delicious & hearty, making it the perfect combo for a good freezer friendly meal for those busy back to school nights when you need a quick grab & go type of meal. Kids love these calzones, especially as you can use your favorite fillings for your family, too.
If you’d like more tips on how to make freezer friendly meals, check out our Freezer Cooking Tips & Tricks and Make Ahead Freezer Meal Ideas.

Calzones Freezer Friendly Meal

Freezer Friendly Calzones are a kid friendly recipe that's perfect for meals on the go

Calzone Crust: 

Ingredients:

Ingredients for Freezer Friendly Calzones

2-1/2 – 3 cups all-purpose flour
1 package active dry yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup warm water (115*-120*)
2 tablespoons cooking oil
1 teaspoon dried oregano (optional)

Directions for Calzones:

Mixing Ingredients for Calzone Dough

Dough and Seasonings for Freezer Friendly calzones

In a large mixer bowl combine the salt, yeast and warm water together. Then add the 1-1/4 cups of the flour and the oregano (if you are using that).

Beat at low speed of electric mixer (I just have a hand mixer and it works fine) for 30 seconds, scraping bowl.  Beat 3 minutes at high speed.

Stir in as much remaining flour as you can mix in with a spoon.

Kneading dough for calzones

 

Knead in enough remaining flour to make a moderately stiff dough that is smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes.  I do this in the mixing bowl but you can turn it out and knead it on a lightly floured counter or board.

Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.

Flattening dough for freezer friendly calzones

Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, divide it into 4, 6, or 8 portions (depending on whether you want big, medium, or small ones) and roll them out into circles or oval shapes ~1/2 inch thick.

Freezer Friendly Calzones with dough & sauce

Add the sauce to one side of the calzone.

Calzone dough & sauce with fillings

Add your favorite filling on one half of the dough.

Preparing calzones with dough, sauce, fillings and cheese

Top it with cheese.

With wet fingers, dampen the edge of the dough around the filling where the top and bottom will meet to make a good seal.

Making freezer friendly calzones

Fold the top over and press down, then use a fork to make the final seam.

Freezer Friendly Calzones ready for baking

Brush the top with either olive oil or an egg white, sprinkle with coarse salt and cut 3 slits in the top with scissors or shears.

Sauce Filling for Calzone:

*Amounts are based on personal preference

Ingredients:

  • store bought marinara or pizza sauce (or your favorite homemade sauce)
  • pepperoni, cut into little chunks
  • white onion, finely chopped
  • mozzarella cheese, shredded

Directions:

  • Spread sauce on 1/2 of the dough, leaving an edge to seal.
  • Then layer toppings like you would on a regular pizza.

Bake in a preheated 350* oven for 20-25 minutes.  They should be golden on the top and bottom.

Cheesy Filling for Calzone:

Here is another filling idea if you’d like to try cheesy calzones.

Ingredients:
1 15-oz. container ricotta cheese
8 oz. mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated or shredded
1/2 cup finely chopped white onion
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon dried oregano (more to taste)
1/4 teaspoon table salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Mix everything and divide by how many dough circles you have.

Tips for success

Calzones are a hearty, filling, freezer friendly meal for busy mealtimes

  • The dough will be a little sticky when you start to roll it so don’t be afraid to add flour to manage it, it’s a very forgiving recipe .  You should have a dry enough piece of dough that it won’t stick to the roller or the board.
  • They turn out best if baked on a silicone liner or a pizza stone
  • Check them while cooking to make sure the vent holes aren’t plugged with melted cheese.  If they are, just scrape it off and poke the knife back down in the vent to clear it for the steam.  If they get plugged, it can pull the seams apart or make a big air pocket and they don’t freeze as well.
  • For freezing – cool in the fridge then wrap each calzone in plastic and store all of them in a large freezer bag
  • Freeze any leftover marinara or pizza sauce from the Red recipe in the mini muffin tins to use for dipping these in later
  • I make two of the dough recipes, then divide them into 6 pieces each for 10 calzones and a few bread sticks
  • The freshness of your dried oregano will make a difference in your recipe.  I get mine in bulk and it’s a lot more fragrant and only cost 12 cents for 3 tablespoons.

To reheat

  • Thaw overnight in the fridge (optional)
  • Remove plastic and microwave 1 minute on high if frozen or 35 seconds if thawed
  • Toast in the oven or toaster to dry out the crust at 350* for 5-8 minutes

Printable Recipe for Freezer Friendly Calzones:

Here’s a printable version of the Freezer Friendly Calzone recipe for you to print off to put in your recipe binder or notebook.

Print
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Recipe for Calzones Freezer Meal


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Ingredients

Scale
  • For Dough:
  • 21/2 – 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 package active dry yeast
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup warm water (115*-120*)
  • 2 tablespoons cooking oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano (optional)
  • For Cheesy Filling:
  • 1 15-oz. container ricotta cheese
  • 8 oz. mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated or shredded
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped white onion
  • 12 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano (more to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon table salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • For Sauce:
  • store bought marinara or pizza sauce (or your favorite homemade sauce)
  • pepperoni, cut into little chunks
  • white onion, finely chopped
  • mozzarella cheese, shredded


Instructions

  1. In a large mixer bowl combine 1-1/4 cups of the flour, the yeast, and salt.  Add warm water and oil.
  2. Beat at low speed of electric mixer (I just have a hand mixer and it works fine) for 30 seconds, scraping bowl.  Beat 3 minutes at high speed.
  3. Stir in as much remaining flour as you can mix in with a spoon.
  4. Knead in enough remaining flour (and oregano, if using) to make a moderately stiff dough that is smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes.  I do this in the mixing bowl but you can turn it out and knead it on a lightly floured counter or board.
  5. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.
  6. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, divide it into 4, 6, or 8 portions (depending on whether you want big, medium, or small ones) and roll them out into circles or oval shapes ~1/2 inch thick.
  7. Place filling on one half of the dough and with wet fingers, dampen the edge of the dough around the filling where the top and bottom will meet to make a good seal.
  8. Fold the top over and press down, then use a fork to make the final seam.
  9. Brush the top with either olive oil or an egg white, sprinkle with coarse salt and cut 3 slits in the top with scissors or shears.
  10. Bake in a preheated 350* oven for 20-25 minutes.  They should be golden on the top and bottom.
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3 Comments

  1. What a great idea! I am always looking for fun, easy to make meals that are great now and much later. Never thought to freeze calzones, I can’t wait to try it!!

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