Photo: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox
What is the easiest way to win over your family on a weeknight? Cheesey calzones. Most supermarket brands of ricotta contain stabilizers, which can give the cheese a gummy texture when baked. Check the label and choose ricotta made with as few ingredients as possible—ideally milk, whey, vinegar, and salt. Or seek out homemade ricotta at a farmers’ market or an Italian food store. If using a jarred sauce, we like Rao’s Homemade Marinara Sauce.
How to Make It
Step 1
Preheat oven to 450°F. Divide pizza dough into 4 equal pieces; form into small balls. Wrap each dough ball with plastic wrap; let rest 20 minutes.
Step 2
Unwrap and roll on a lightly floured surface into flat disks, about 7 inches wide. Place disks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Step 3
While dough balls rest, stir together mozzarella cheese, ricotta cheese, egg yolk, lemon zest, grated garlic cloves, kosher salt, and black pepper in a medium bowl with a fork until well incorporated. Divide mixture among dough disks, adding mixture to 1 side of the disk and leaving a 1⁄2-inch border.
Step 4
Lightly beat egg in a small bowl. Brush outside edge of the dough with half of egg; fold into half-moons, and crimp edges with fork. Brush tops of calzones with remaining egg; sprinkle with grated Parmesan and dried Italian seasoning.
Step 5
Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, 16 to 18 minutes. Serve with warm marinara sauce.
