Custom Calzone

Wednesday, 03 February 2010 21:58

Trying to find recipes for your Super Bowl party?  This calzone starts with refrigerated pizza crust and is filled with a spicy beef and cheese filling. It’s easy to make and serve. It can also be made in advance and frozen! 

1 pound 95 percent lean ground beef
¾ c. pepper, onion mixture (I used frozen.)
1 c. canned petite diced tomatoes (drained)
1 c. pizza sauce
½ t. oregano leaves
½ t. basil leaves
½ t. crushed red pepper flakes
¾ c. 2 percent mozzarella cheese
¼ c. shredded Parmesan cheese
1 refrigerated tube pizza crust

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees. 

2. Heat large skillet over medium heat until hot. Add ground beef and pepper, onion mixture; cook until browned (8 – 10 minutes). Break beef into crumbles while cooking. Pour browned ground beef into colander and rinse gently with warm water (to remove fat).

3. Pour beef back in skillet. Add tomatoes, spices, and pizza sauce. Continue cooking until liquid evaporates (5-7 minutes). Remove from heat and set aside.

4. Sprinkle cornmeal on rimmed baking sheet. Unroll pizza dough on baking sheet. Sprinkle ¼ c. cheese mixture over long half of dough, leaving 1-inch border on all 3 sides.  Spoon beef mixture on top of cheese (remember to leave 1-inch border on all 3 sides). Gently lift and pull top half of dough over filling; pinch dough edges to seal.

5. Bake 15-20 minutes or until crust is golden brown. 

6. Cut into slices and serve. 

Serving tip:  Serve with warm pizza sauce for dipping. Provide Parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper for those that like extra flavor.