Sausage, Spinach, and Ricotta Calzone Recipe

Calzones are a delicious and versatile Italian dish that can be filled with a variety of savory ingredients. One classic variation is the Sausage, Spinach, and Ricotta Calzone, which combines the rich flavors of Italian sausage, tender spinach, and creamy ricotta cheese in a baked, folded pizza dough. This recipe is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner or a fun, interactive meal to share with family and friends.

The key to a great calzone is a perfectly cooked, flavorful filling,...

The key to a great calzone is a perfectly cooked, flavorful filling, and this recipe delivers just that. The combination of spicy Italian sausage, earthy spinach, and creamy ricotta creates a mouthwatering filling that is sure to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. Plus, the calzone's crispy, golden-brown crust provides the perfect contrast to the rich, gooey interior.

One of the best things about making calzones is that they are incredibly customizable. While this recipe features sausage, spinach, and ricotta, you can easily substitute or add other ingredients to suit your tastes. For example, you could add a variety of vegetables, such as bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms, to the filling, or incorporate different types of cheese for added richness and depth of flavor.

When it comes to making calzones, the most important step is properly preparing the pizza dough. While you can certainly make your own dough from scratch, store-bought pizza dough works just as well and saves a significant amount of time. Additionally, using pre-made dough allows you to focus on creating a delicious filling and assembling the calzones, rather than spending extra time kneading and proofing dough.

Once the calzones are assembled and baked, they can be served with a side of marinara sauce for dipping, or enjoyed on their own. Regardless of how you choose to enjoy them, Sausage, Spinach, and Ricotta Calzones are sure to be a hit with everyone at the table. So, roll up your sleeves and get ready to indulge in a delicious, homemade calzone that is sure to become a family favorite.

Ingredients

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, or more if needed
1 envelope Fleischmann's® Pizza Crust Yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
¾ teaspoon salt
⅔ cup very warm water (120 degrees F to 130 degrees F)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
8 ounces Italian sausage
2 cups fresh spinach leaves
¼ cup water
¾ cup ricotta cheese
¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 large egg
1 teaspoon Spice Islands® Italian Herb Seasoning
½ teaspoon Spice Islands® Crushed Red Pepper
½ teaspoon Spice Islands® Garlic Salt
2 cups pizza sauce, for dipping

Information

Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Servings: 4
Yield: 4 calzones

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Make dough: Combine 1 cup flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Add very warm water and oil; mix until well blended, about 1 minute. Gradually add enough remaining flour to make a soft, slightly sticky dough ball. Knead on a floured surface, adding more flour if needed, until smooth and elastic, about 4 minutes. Cover and let rest on the floured surface.

While dough rests, make filling: Cook and stir sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat until crumbly and browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove sausage to a paper towel-lined plate to drain; discard grease from the skillet. Add spinach and water to the skillet; sauté over medium heat until spinach is wilted, 1 to 2 minutes; drain liquid. Return sausage to the skillet with spinach. Set aside.

Combine ricotta, mozzarella, and egg in a mixing bowl. Stir in Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper, and garlic salt; set aside.

Divide dough into 4 equal pieces. Roll 1 dough piece into an 8-inch circle on a floured surface. Spread about 1/3 cup ricotta mixture over the bottom half of dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Top with heaping 1/3 cup sausage-spinach mixture. Fold the top half of dough over filling. Pull the edge of the lower crust over the top; fold and press layers together to seal. Transfer to a greased baking sheet; cut 3 to 4 vents on top. Repeat with remaining dough.

Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer calzones to a wire rack to keep the bottom crust crisp while cooling slightly. Serve with pizza sauce for dipping.

Nutrition

601 cal.

Total Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 116mg
Sodium: 1799mg
Total Carbohydrate: 53g
Dietary Fiber: 4g
Protein: 28g
Vitamin C: 20mg
Calcium: 377mg
Iron: 5mg
Potassium: 426mg

How to Make Sausage, Spinach, and Ricotta Calzone - A Step-by-Step Guide

Ingredients

Information

Nutrition

601 cal.

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