The Ultimate Easy Salami and Mozzarella Calzone Recipe

Are you ready to bring the fun and flavor of an authentic pizzeria right into your own kitchen? Imagine cutting into a perfectly golden-brown, crispy crust to reveal a hot, gooey, and delicious filling of savory salami, melted cheese, and tangy pickled vegetables. This is your ultimate guide to making a perfect, easy, and impressive Calzone Recipe.

This Salami-Mozzarella Calzone is a true showstopper that is secretly simple to make, thanks to a few clever shortcuts like using store-bought pizza dough. We’ll show you how to build, seal, and bake a perfect pizza pocket that is bursting with flavor. It’s the perfect fun dinner for a family pizza night or a casual weekend meal.

What makes this recipe so special is its incredible combination of flavors and textures, and the professional-looking result you can achieve with ease. Forget delivery—this homemade Calzone Recipe is a delicious culinary adventure waiting to happen.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

What is a Calzone (And How is it Different from a Stromboli)?

Before we dive in, let’s talk about what makes a calzone a calzone! A calzone is essentially a “folded pizza” that originated in Naples, Italy. It’s made by taking a round of pizza dough, piling the fillings on one half, and then folding the other half over to create a sealed, half-moon shape. It’s then baked until golden and served with marinara sauce on the side for dipping.

Many people confuse it with a stromboli, but they are different! A stromboli is typically made from a rectangular piece of dough that is topped with ingredients, rolled into a log shape, and then baked and sliced. Our half-moon shaped Calzone Recipe is the classic Italian-American favorite.

The Secrets to a Perfect Homemade Calzone

• The Hot Baking Sheet Technique: The key to a crispy, non-soggy bottom crust is to preheat an inverted baking sheet or a pizza stone in your oven. When you slide the calzone onto this screaming-hot surface, the bottom crust begins to cook and crisp up immediately.
• The Two-Stage Bake: This recipe uses a brilliant two-stage bake. The initial 15-minute bake cooks the dough through. Then, we brush it with an egg wash and return it to the oven. This second bake is what gives the finished calzone a beautiful, shiny, deep golden-brown, and professional-looking crust.
• Venting is Crucial: Cutting a few small slits in the top of the dough before baking is a non-negotiable step. This allows steam from the hot fillings to escape, preventing the inside of your calzone from becoming a soggy, steamy mess and ensuring the crust stays crisp.

The Key Ingredients for Your Salami-Mozzarella Calzone Recipe

This easy Calzone Recipe uses a handful of powerful, flavor-packed ingredients.

• Refrigerated Pizza Dough: This is the ultimate shortcut! A 13.8-ounce tube of store-bought pizza dough is the perfect amount for a large, shareable calzone or two smaller ones.
• The Cheeses: We use a delicious, classic combination.
  • Mozzarella: Low-moisture mozzarella provides that essential, gooey “cheese pull.”
  • Provolone: Sliced provolone adds a sharper, saltier, and more savory cheese flavor.
• The Fillings:
  • Salami: Thinly sliced Genoa salami provides a savory, spiced, and slightly tangy flavor.
  • Giardiniera: This is the secret ingredient! A jar of Italian pickled mixed vegetables adds a fantastic tangy, acidic, and crunchy element that perfectly cuts through the richness of the cheese and salami. Be sure to drain it well.
• The Egg Binder & Wash: An egg, mixed with fresh parsley and lemon zest, is used both inside the mozzarella to help bind the filling and on the outside as an egg wash for a beautiful, golden crust.

Step-by-Step Guide to Your Homemade Calzone

This fun project comes together quickly for an amazing pizza night at home.

Part 1: Preparation

1. Preheat Your Oven & Pan: Place a large, rimmed baking sheet upside down in the lower third of your oven. Preheat the oven to 400°F. The baking sheet will get hot along with the oven.
2. Prepare the Egg Mixture: In a small bowl, beat the 2 large eggs with the chopped fresh parsley and the grated lemon zest.
3. Prepare the Cheese Filling: Pour half of the egg mixture into a separate medium bowl. Stir in the shredded mozzarella cheese. Reserve the other half of the egg mixture for the egg wash later.
4. Prepare the Dough: Turn another baking sheet upside down and line it with parchment paper. Brush the parchment lightly with olive oil. Unroll your refrigerated pizza dough onto the parchment paper and gently pat and stretch it into a 9-by-12-inch rectangle.

Part 2: Assemble and Bake

1. Layer the Fillings: Spread the mozzarella-egg mixture over one half of the dough rectangle, making sure to leave a 1-inch border along the edge. Top the cheese with the strips of salami, followed by the drained, chopped giardiniera, and finally the slices of provolone cheese.
2. Fold and Seal: Gently fold the other half of the dough over to completely cover the filling, creating the classic half-moon shape of your Calzone Recipe. Crimp and roll the edges of the dough together very tightly to create a secure seal.
3. Vent and Bake (First Stage): Use a knife to cut a few small slits in the top of the dough to allow steam to escape. Carefully slide the parchment paper with the calzone onto the hot, preheated baking sheet in the oven. Bake for 15 minutes.
4. Egg Wash and Final Bake: Remove the calzone from the oven and brush the top and sides with the remaining egg mixture. Return it to the oven and continue to bake for another 5 to 10 more minutes, until the crust is a deep, shiny golden brown.
5. Rest and Serve: Let the calzone rest for 5 minutes before cutting it into wedges and serving. This is fantastic served with a side of warm marinara sauce for dipping.

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Conclusion: Pizzeria Night, Perfected at Home

This easy Salami-Mozzarella Calzone Recipe is a fun, delicious, and incredibly satisfying way to shake up your pizza night. The combination of the crispy, golden crust and the hot, gooey, savory filling is pure comfort food perfection. This is a recipe that proves you can create a truly impressive, pizzeria-quality meal right in your own kitchen.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)