Roasted Tomato and Pesto Calzones

These delectable calzones combine the rich flavors of roasted tomato sauce and pesto, filled with a mouth-watering mix of pepperoni, mozzarella, and parmesan. Perfectly baked to a golden brown, these calzones offer a satisfyingly crispy crust with a hearty and flavorful filling.

Why You’ll Love This: The homemade dough creates a perfect foundation that’s both crispy and chewy. The combination of roasted tomato sauce and pesto provides a unique and robust flavor, complemented by the mix of cheeses and pepperoni. Each bite delivers a burst of flavor, making these calzones a fantastic choice for a family meal or a gathering with friends.

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

  • Warm water: 1 3/4 cup
  • Instant yeast: 2 1/4 tsp
  • Sugar: 1 tsp
  • Salt: 1 1/2 tsp
  • Olive oil: 1/4 cup
  • Bread flour: 4 cups

For the Roasted Tomato Sauce:

  • Olive oil: 4 tbsp
  • Garlic: 4-5 medium cloves
  • Shallots: 3
  • Cherry tomatoes: 1 lb
  • Fresh basil leaves
  • Salt and black pepper

For the Filling:

  • Pesto sauce: 3/4 cup
  • Pepperoni or sucuk: 1 cup
  • Shredded mozzarella: 2 cups
  • Fresh mozzarella cheese: 1 cup
  • Parmesan cheese: 1/2 cup
  • Fresh basil leaves

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Dough:
    • Mix 1/2 cup warm water, yeast, and a pinch of sugar. Let it foam (5-7 min).
    • Combine flour, remaining water, yeast mixture, oil, remaining sugar, and salt. Knead 4-5 min.
    • Let it rest covered for 15-20 min. Punch down and knead briefly. Repeat 2-3 times.
    • Divide into 4-6 balls. Rest for 1-2 hours on a floured surface.
  2. Roast Tomato Sauce:
    • Preheat oven to 450F.
    • Mix garlic, shallots, tomatoes, basil, olive oil, salt, and pepper on a tray.
    • Roast until tomatoes soften. Mash the mix.
  3. Assemble Calzones:
    • Roll out dough balls into 1/4 inch thick circles.
    • Spread tomato and pesto sauce on one half, leaving a border.
    • Add mozzarella, pepperoni, parmesan, and basil.
    • Fold over, seal edges.
    • Bake on a baking sheet at 450F for 12-15 minutes.
    • Serve warm with olive oil drizzled on top.

Enjoy these homemade calzones, where each component – from the dough to the filling – adds its unique touch, creating a memorable meal.

content team

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