Meatless Friday: Quick and Easy Calzone

Monica Portogallo shares a simple calzone recipe that you can easily personalize to fit your family's tastes.

When it comes to my cooking style, one could say my motto is “necessity is the mother of invention.” I come across some of the best recipes while I search for ways to use up a particular ingredient.

When I was looking for a way to use up plain Greek yogurt, I found a two-ingredient pizza dough recipe. I modified it based on my preferences and what I had on hand, and -- just like that -- this Quick and Easy Calzone recipe came to be. Have fun filling it according to your family’s tastes!

Quick and Easy Calzone

(serves about 4)

1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
¾ teaspoon salt
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons sauce of choice, if desired (marinara, pesto, BBQ sauce, etc.)
1-2 cups shredded cheese of choice (mozzarella, cheddar, Swiss, etc.)
1-2 cups chopped vegetables of choice (onion, spinach, peppers, olives, mushrooms, etc.)
1 tablespoon olive oil

Preheat the oven to 450℉. Lightly grease a pizza pan or baking sheet.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, stir together the two flours, baking powder, and salt. Add the yogurt, and using the mixer’s dough hook attachment, mix until a cohesive dough forms. (Alternately, the dough can be kneaded by hand on a floured surface for 6 to 8 minutes if you don’t have a stand mixer.)

Roll or press dough into a 12-inch circle, or divide dough into 4 even parts and press or roll into 4 6-inch circles. Spoon sauce onto the dough, if using sauce. Add cheese and toppings to one half of the dough round(s), and fold the other half over. Press the edges together with a fork or your fingers to seal them.

Place on the prepared baking sheet and brush lightly with olive oil. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden.

Copyright 2020 Monica Portogallo
Images copyright 2020 Monica Portogallo, all rights reserved