Easy Calzones

By Joelene

Cook's Note: If you want a larger calzone, use frozen bread loaves and use one-quarter to one-third of the loaf for each calzone.

Ingredients

• 16 whole frozen, un-risen dinner rolls (I use Rhodes, can also use frozen bread loaves)
• 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
• 15 ounces whole milk ricotta
• 1 1/2 cups grated mozzarella
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Black pepper
• 2 whole eggs plus 1 whole egg, beaten
• All-purpose flour, for dusting
• Marinara Sauce, warmed, for serving, recipe follows

Preparation

Step 1

Place the frozen rolls (or frozen bread loaves) on a baking sheet to thaw. Cover with a tea towel and let thaw and rise for 2 to 3 hours.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and allow to cook for a couple of minutes. Add the sausage and cook until brown, crumbling the sausage as you stir. Add the Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Remove from the skillet and allow to cool on a plate.

In a separate bowl, combine the ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, salt, some pepper, parsley and 2 eggs.

When the sausage is cool, stir it into the cheese mixture and set aside.

When the rolls are thawed and risen, roll them out on a lightly floured surface until paper thin. Spoon 3 to 4 tablespoons of the filling onto half of the dough circle. Fold half of the dough over itself, and then press the edges to seal.

Brush the surface of each calzone with the beaten egg, and then bake until nice and golden brown, 10 to 13 minutes. Serve with warm Marinara Sauce.