Freezer Calzones

in Recipes

By user:Enslin (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Pizza Calzone
What’s the difference between a calzone and a pizza pocket? I have no clue, but I am not a fan of processed foods unless I have no other choice so I say a calzone is usually hand-made while a pizza pocket is a store-purchased product. 🙂
We love calzones in our house!  They’re easy to eat, and you can fill them with whatever pizza-friendly ingredients you like. You can serve them with marinara as a dipping sauce, you can pour marinara sauce over the calzones after they’re baked, or like me as you race out the door with one in your hand headed to another event-filled evening you can save a few dollars and avoid the drive through:):).

And you can make them with your favorite homemade pizza crust, which I’m happy to do…OR you can do what I did last week and take this easy and “cheater” but very scrumptious route.   These are freezer friendly so I will make up a batch and bake them, let them cool, then individually wrap in saran wrap and then baggies, and throw in the freezer…..then for a last minute race it takes 2 minutes (depending on Microwave) and you have a fresh snack or quick dinner.

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Calzones

Prep Time:

Cook Time:

Calzones

Ingredients

  • 16 whole Frozen, Unrisen Dinner Rolls (I Use Rhodes) (smaller calzones)
  • OR 5 Frozen Bread Loaves.(bigger calzones)
  • 1 Tablespoon Butter
  • 1 whole Medium Onion, Diced
  • 1 pound Breakfast Or Italian Sausage
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
  • 1 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
  • 2 cups Grated Mozzarella Cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
  • Black Pepper To Taste
  • 2 Tablespoons Chopped Fresh Parsley
  • 2 jars Marinara Sauce plus additional for dipping:)
  • Additional toppings as to your taste (ideas: Pepperoni, Salami, Canadian bacon, veggies, or any other favorite pizza topping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Place frozen rolls (or frozen bread loaves) on a baking sheet to thaw.
  3. Cover with a tea towel and let thaw and rise for 2 to 3 hours.
  4. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  5. Add onion and allow to cook for a couple of minutes. Add sausage and cook until brown, crumbling the sausage as you stir.
  6. Add Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes.
  7. Remove from pan and allow to cool on a plate. When sausage is cool, Set aside.
  8. When rolls are thawed and risen, roll them out on a lightly floured surface until paper thin.
  9. Spoon 3-4 tablespoons (approximately) of marinara onto half of the dough circle.
  10. Sprinkle cheeses and sausage mixture on sauce, then add any additional toppings you prefer. Fold half of the dough over itself, then press edges to seal.
  11. *Note: If you want a larger calzone, use frozen bread loaves cut in 1/2 or for adults can eat a whole large loaf if wanted.
  12. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until nice and golden brown.
  13. Serve with warm marinara sauce if wanted.
  14. If you are freezing for later this is when you want to cooler them completely then wrap individually in saran wrap, then place in baggies and freeze for future use (within 6 months is best).

 

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