30-Minute Two-Cheese Calzones with Marinara Sauce
Golden-brown hand pies filled with creamy ricotta and stretchy mozzarella, wrapped in flaky pizza dough. These portable Italian-inspired pockets deliver comfort food satisfaction in every bite, perfect for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining. The combination of two cheeses creates rich, melty filling while the crispy exterior provides delightful textural contrast. Quick assembly using refrigerated dough makes this an accessible recipe for busy cooks seeking homemade flavor without extensive prep work.
Ingredients
- 1 can refrigerated Pillsbury Thin Crust Pizza Crust, 11 oz
- ¼ cup ricotta cheese
- 4 mozzarella cheese sticks, dicedshredded mozzarella2 tablespoons per calzonevegetarian
easier to work with
- 1 ½ cups marinara sauce
Instructions
- 1
Heat oven and spray cookie sheet with cooking spray
- 2
Unroll dough onto cookie sheet and press into rectangle
- 3
Cut dough into squares
- 4
Spread ricotta cheese onto half of each square leaving border at edges
- 5
Top each with diced mozzarella and marinara sauce
- 6
Fold dough over filling and seal edges firmly with fork
- 7
Bake until golden brown
- 8
Cool before serving
- 9
Heat remaining marinara sauce in saucepan over medium heat until warm
- 10
Serve calzones with warm marinara sauce
Tips
Press edges firmly with fork to prevent filling from leaking during baking
Let calzones cool for full 10 minutes to avoid burning your mouth on hot cheese filling
Save time by using pre-shredded mozzarella instead of dicing cheese sticks
Good to Know
Refrigerate up to 3 days in airtight container
Assemble calzones up to 4 hours ahead, cover and refrigerate until ready to bake
Serve warm with heated marinara sauce for dipping
Common Mistakes
Seal edges completely to avoid filling leakage
Do not overfill calzones or they will burst during baking
Let cool fully before eating to prevent burns from hot cheese
Substitutions
easier to work with
more work but fresher taste
FAQ
Can I freeze these calzones?
Yes, freeze baked and cooled calzones up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen in 350F oven for 15-20 minutes until heated through.
What if I don't have cheese sticks?
Use 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella instead, dividing evenly among the six calzones for the same cheesy result.
How long do leftovers keep?
Store refrigerated calzones up to 3 days. Reheat in oven at 350F for 8-10 minutes to restore crispiness.