Savory Mini Sausage Calzones
Enjoy these Savory Mini Sausage Calzones as a delightful twist on traditional lunch options. Perfect for busy days, these calzones are filled with a flavorful combination of sweet Italian sausage, sautéed onions, and melty mozzarella cheese, all encased in a soft, golden crust. They are an excellent choice for packing in lunchboxes or serving as an after-school snack. Make a batch ahead of time and freeze them individually—simply thaw and reheat for a satisfying meal in minutes! A family-friendly recipe from Easy Everyday Cooking, these calzones are sure to be a hit with both kids and adults alike.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Frozen bread dough
2 lbs (thawed)
Sweet Italian sausage
8 ounces (removed from casing)
Onion
1 cup (chopped)
Garlic cloves
4 (minced)
Dried basil
1/2 teaspoon ( )
Dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon ( )
Pizza sauce
1 cup ( )
Low-fat mozzarella cheese
1 cup (grated)
Parmesan cheese
4 teaspoons ( )
Eggs
2 (beaten)
Milk
4 tablespoons ( )
Instructions
1
Begin by dividing the thawed bread dough into 16 equal portions and set them aside.
2
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) while you prepare the filling.
3
Prepare a baking sheet by greasing it lightly with cooking spray or oil.
4
In a large skillet, heat over medium heat and add the sweet Italian sausage. Cook until it's browned and crumbly, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat from the skillet.
5
Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, dried basil, and oregano to the skillet, stirring well. Pour in the pizza sauce and let it simmer for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
6
On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion of dough into a 5-inch circle.
7
Spoon a generous amount of the sausage mixture onto one half of each dough circle, then sprinkle with the grated mozzarella and a little parmesan cheese.
8
Dampen the edges of the dough with water to help seal the calzones, then fold the dough over the filling to create a pocket. Press the edges together firmly to ensure they are sealed tight.
9
Carefully transfer the calzones to the prepared baking sheet, spacing them out evenly.
10
In a small bowl, beat the eggs with the milk to create an egg wash. Brush the mixture over the tops of each calzone for a lovely golden finish.
11
Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, or until the calzones are puffed and golden brown. Let them cool slightly before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Savory Mini Sausage Calzones?
They are a delightful twist on traditional lunch options featuring sweet Italian sausage, sauteed onions, and melty mozzarella cheese encased in a soft, golden crust.
How many calzones does this recipe yield?
The recipe yields 16 mini calzones by dividing the dough into 16 equal portions.
What kind of dough is used for this recipe?
This recipe uses 2 pounds of frozen bread dough that has been thawed.
What is the required oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 425°F (220°C).
How should I prepare the baking sheet?
Prepare the baking sheet by greasing it lightly with cooking spray or oil.
How do I prepare the sweet Italian sausage?
Remove the sausage from its casing and cook it in a large skillet over medium heat until it is browned and crumbly, then drain the excess fat.
What vegetables are included in the filling?
The filling includes 1 cup of chopped onion and 4 minced garlic cloves.
Which dried herbs are used for seasoning?
The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of dried basil and 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano.
How much pizza sauce is needed for the filling?
You will need 1 cup of pizza sauce.
How long should the filling mixture simmer?
The filling should simmer for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
What size should the dough circles be?
Each portion of dough should be rolled into a 5-inch circle on a lightly floured surface.
What types of cheese are used in the calzones?
The recipe uses 1 cup of grated low-fat mozzarella cheese and 4 teaspoons of parmesan cheese.
How do I seal the calzones?
Dampen the edges of the dough with water, fold the dough over the filling, and press the edges together firmly.
How do I make the egg wash?
Beat 2 eggs with 4 tablespoons of milk in a small bowl.
Why is an egg wash applied to the calzones?
The egg wash is brushed over the tops to give the calzones a lovely golden finish when baked.
How long do the calzones need to bake?
Bake them in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes.
How do I know when the calzones are done?
The calzones are done when they are puffed and golden brown.
Can these calzones be frozen for later?
Yes, you can make a batch ahead of time and freeze them individually.
How do I reheat frozen calzones?
Simply thaw the frozen calzones and reheat them for a satisfying meal in minutes.
Are these calzones suitable for school lunches?
Yes, they are an excellent choice for packing in lunchboxes or serving as an after-school snack.
Is the mozzarella cheese low-fat?
Yes, the recipe specifically calls for 1 cup of grated low-fat mozzarella cheese.
How much parmesan cheese goes into each calzone?
With 4 teaspoons total for 16 calzones, each calzone contains approximately 1/4 teaspoon of parmesan.
What should I do after removing them from the oven?
Let the calzones cool slightly before serving.
What is the total weight of the dough used?
The recipe uses 2 pounds of frozen bread dough.
What is the amount of onion required?
The recipe requires 1 cup of chopped onion.
Does the recipe use fresh or dried herbs?
The recipe uses dried basil and dried oregano.
How much sausage is used?
The recipe uses 8 ounces of sweet Italian sausage.
Who is the creator of this recipe?
This is a family-friendly recipe from Easy Everyday Cooking.
What equipment is needed for browning the meat?
You will need a large skillet.
What surface should be used for rolling the dough?
A lightly floured surface should be used to prevent the dough from sticking.