Ultimate Game-Day Stuffed Calzones
Get ready for the ultimate snack to satisfy your cravings during the big game! These Ultimate Game-Day Stuffed Calzones are perfect not only for kids but also for the whole family. Customizable and delicious, you can mix and match your fillings to create the perfect calzone tailored to your audience. Whether you keep them traditional with ground beef and cheese or experiment with pepperoni, veggies, or even BBQ chicken, each calzone is a delightful surprise. Prepare this dish ahead of time, chill or freeze it, and pop them in the oven just before the party starts for a warm, cheesy treat that will keep everyone cheering for more!
N/A
Servings
207
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
ground beef
1/2 lb (browned in a skillet)
chopped onion
1/4 cup (sautéed with ground beef)
pizza sauce
1 (8 ounce) can (mixed with beef and spices)
chopped ripe olives
2 tablespoons (optional ingredient, added for flavor)
dried basil
1 teaspoon (seasoning added to meat mixture)
dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon (seasoning added to meat mixture)
French rolls
3 (hollowed out for stuffing)
shredded mozzarella cheese
1 1/2 cups (divided between layers for melting)
Instructions
1
In a skillet, brown the ground beef and chopped onion over medium heat until fully cooked; drain excess fat.
2
Stir in the pizza sauce, chopped olives (if using), basil, and oregano. Mix thoroughly and let it simmer for a few minutes to meld the flavors.
3
Prepare your French rolls or loaf by cutting a thin slice from the top of each roll or from one end of the loaf.
4
Carefully hollow out the inside of the rolls or loaf, leaving at least a 1/2 inch border around the edges.
5
Sprinkle about 3 tablespoons of shredded mozzarella cheese at the bottom of each hollowed roll or half of the cheese for the loaf.
6
Spoon the meat mixture generously into each roll or into the hollowed loaf on top of the cheese.
7
Top the meat mixture with the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese.
8
Replace the tops of the rolls or seal the loaf, ensuring the fillings stay put.
9
Wrap each calzone individually in aluminum foil.
10
For optimal flavor, refrigerate for 3 to 24 hours, or freeze for longer storage.
11
To serve, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the foil-wrapped calzones on a baking sheet. Bake refrigerated calzones for 40 minutes or frozen calzones for 60-75 minutes, until heated through and the cheese is melty.
Nutrition Information
13g
Fat
13g
Carbs
11g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Ultimate Game-Day Stuffed Calzones?
They are a customizable, kid-friendly snack made by stuffing French rolls with a mixture of ground beef, pizza sauce, and cheese, then baking them until melty.
What type of meat is used in the filling?
The recipe calls for 1/2 lb of ground beef, which is browned in a skillet with chopped onions.
Can I use different types of meat for the filling?
Yes, the recipe is highly customizable; you can experiment with pepperoni, BBQ chicken, or even keep it vegetarian with just veggies.
What kind of cheese is recommended for these calzones?
The recipe uses 1 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese, divided between the layers for optimal melting.
What type of bread is used for the calzone crust?
Instead of traditional pizza dough, this recipe uses three French rolls or a single loaf that is hollowed out.
How do I prepare the French rolls for stuffing?
Cut a thin slice from the top or end and carefully hollow out the inside, leaving at least a 1/2 inch border around the edges.
What seasonings are used in the meat mixture?
The meat is seasoned with 1 teaspoon of dried basil and 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano.
Are there any optional ingredients mentioned?
Yes, you can add 2 tablespoons of chopped ripe olives to the meat mixture for extra flavor.
How much pizza sauce is needed?
The recipe requires one 8-ounce can of pizza sauce.
What is the first step in making the filling?
Brown the ground beef and 1/4 cup of chopped onion over medium heat and drain the excess fat.
How is the filling assembled inside the roll?
Layer mozzarella cheese at the bottom, spoon in the meat mixture, and top with more cheese before replacing the roll top.
Do I need to wrap the calzones before baking?
Yes, each calzone should be wrapped individually in aluminum foil.
Can I make these calzones in advance?
Absolutely, you can refrigerate them for 3 to 24 hours or freeze them for longer storage before baking.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) for baking.
How long do I bake refrigerated calzones?
Refrigerated calzones take about 40 minutes to bake until heated through.
How long do frozen calzones take to bake?
Frozen calzones require 60 to 75 minutes in the oven.
What is the calorie count for one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 207 calories.
How much protein is in each calzone?
Each serving provides about 11g of protein.
What is the fat content of these calzones?
Each calzone has approximately 13g of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 13g of carbohydrates per serving.
How many French rolls does this specific recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to fill 3 French rolls.
Is this recipe suitable for kids?
Yes, it is specifically described as perfect for kids and families due to its simple ingredients and customizable nature.
Can I use a large loaf of bread instead of individual rolls?
Yes, you can use a single French loaf and follow the same hollowing and stuffing process.
How do I ensure the fillings stay inside?
Ensure you leave a thick enough border when hollowing and seal the tops tightly before wrapping in foil.
Are these calzones good for parties?
Yes, they are marketed as an ultimate game-day snack that can be prepared ahead of time.
What is the preparation time for the ingredients?
Preparation involves browning the meat, hollowing the rolls, and assembling, which takes a short amount of time before the chilling period.
Should I drain the meat after browning?
Yes, it is important to drain excess fat from the beef and onions to prevent the calzones from becoming soggy.
How much cheese goes at the bottom of each roll?
Sprinkle about 3 tablespoons of shredded mozzarella at the bottom of each hollowed roll.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include calzones, game day food, snacks, family-friendly, easy recipe, and customizable fillings.
Can I add vegetables to the meat mixture?
Yes, adding vegetables is a recommended way to customize the calzones for your audience.