Calzone vs Pizza
This guide offers a side-by-side comparison of making a classic calzone and a traditional pizza. Perfect for Italian cuisine lovers, it covers both dishes' unique flavors and preparation techniques.
Ingredients
- For the Dough:
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
- 1 ¼ cups warm water
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- For the Calzone Filling:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella
- 1 cup cooked Italian sausage or other meat of choice
- ½ cup sautéed mushrooms
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For the Pizza Toppings:
- 1 ½ cups tomato sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Sliced pepperoni mushrooms, or your favorite toppings
- Fresh basil leaves
- Olive oil for brushing
Instructions
- Dough Preparation:
- In a bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- Mix in flour, salt, and olive oil. Knead the dough until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.
- Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- For Calzone:
- Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C).
- Divide the dough in half. Roll out one half into a circle about ¼ inch thick.
- Spread ricotta, mozzarella, sausage, and mushrooms over half of the dough, leaving a border.
- Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Press the edges to seal.
- Transfer the calzone to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, until golden brown and puffed.
- For Pizza:
- Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) and place a pizza stone or baking sheet inside to heat.
- Roll out the remaining dough half into a circle about ¼ inch thick.
- Spread tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border for the crust.
- Sprinkle mozzarella cheese and your favorite toppings.
- Transfer the pizza to the hot stone or baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
Notes
For a crispier crust, bake the pizza on a preheated pizza stone.
You can customize both the calzone and pizza with your favorite fillings and toppings.
The dough can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
You can customize both the calzone and pizza with your favorite fillings and toppings.
The dough can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours.