Mini Pesto and Cheese Calzones Recipe
These Mini Pesto and Cheese Calzones are a delicious and easy-to-make snack or appetizer featuring a golden, crispy pizza dough filled with creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and flavorful pesto. Perfect for sharing or a quick meal, these calzones combine classic Italian flavors in a convenient handheld form.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 mini calzones
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 1 pound pizza dough (storebought or homemade Basic Pizza Dough)
For the Filling
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup fresh ricotta cheese (storebought or homemade)
- Filippo Berio Pesto (enough to generously fill each calzone; choose your favorite flavor)
For Assembly
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- Flour (for rolling dough)
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the pizza dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use a round cutter or a cup to cut out small circles, approximately 4-5 inches in diameter, for the calzones.
- Prepare the filling: In a small bowl, combine the shredded mozzarella and fresh ricotta cheese. Have your pesto ready for spreading.
- Fill the calzones: Place a spoonful of the cheese mixture onto the center of each dough circle. Add a dollop of pesto on top of the cheese. Be careful not to overfill to avoid leakage during baking.
- Seal the calzones: Fold each dough circle in half over the filling to form a half-moon shape. Press the edges firmly together to seal, then crimp the edges with a fork for extra security.
- Apply egg wash: Beat the egg and brush it over the top of each calzone. This will give a beautiful golden color and shine once baked.
- Bake the calzones: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the calzones on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving space between them. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool and serve: Let the calzones cool for a few minutes before serving to allow the cheese to set slightly and avoid burns from hot filling.
Notes
- You can customize the pesto flavor by using classic basil, sun-dried tomato, or pine nut pesto varieties.
- Ensure the dough is rolled evenly to prevent uneven baking.
- Don’t overfill the calzones to avoid leakage and sogginess.
- Serving these warm allows the cheese to remain gooey and delicious.
- Leftovers can be reheated in an oven or air fryer to maintain crispiness.
