If you’re a fan of spicy, satisfying, flavour-packed meals then you’ll love this recipe for quick, delicious meaty bolognese calzone.
This calzone features a quick pizza dough recipe that needs minimal time to prepare, and a bolognese filling that’s as easy as it is delicious. The result is a tasty, generously filled calzone with a perfectly thin crust, spicy beef and rich tomato sauce.
Here’s how to make four calzones. If you want to adapt this recipe for vegetarians, frozen vegetarian mince works perfectly well. Just add 3-4 tbsp of water at the simmering stage to ensure the soya/Quorn is tender.
Ingredients
For the filling:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 red onion, finely chopped
- 1 red pepper, finely diced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp hot chilli powder
- 500g (18 oz) lean beef mince
- 400g (14 oz) chopped tomatoes
- 1 tbsp tomato puree
- 180g (6 oz) mozzarella, diced
- Pinch of salt and pepper
For the crust:
- 7g (1 sachet) dry active yeast
- 350g (12.5 oz) plain flour
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Pinch sea salt
- 30g (1 oz) butter, melted
Instructions
Preparing the filling
Heat the olive oil in a large pan. Add the onion, red pepper, garlic, oregano and chilli powder.
Fry for around 5 minutes until just starting to soften.
Add the mince.
Fry for 7 to 10 minutes until browned.
Add the chopped tomatoes and tomato puree.
Simmer on low for around 5 minutes until any excess liquid has gone (don’t boil, the meat will toughen), then set aside to cool completely.
Preparing the dough
Meanwhile, in a bowl, mix the yeast with 4 tbsp water and leave to dissolve for 5 minutes.
Add 180ml warm water and all of the flour.
Mix until it comes together as a dough.
Turn onto floured surface.
Knead for about 5 minutes until smooth and springy.
Split the dough in four equal balls. Place in a ziplock bag or under cling film to prevent it drying out.
Putting it all together
Preheat the oven to 220C/430F (200C/390F fan). Take a dough ball and roll out to approximately the size of a dinner plate.
Divide the cooled filling into quarters.
Transfer the dough disc to a floured baking tray and spoon a quarter of the filling onto one side of the round.
Sprinkle a quarter of the mozzarella on top.
Dab a wet finger around the outer edge of the dough.
Fold the dough over and press to seal.
Dab a wet finger around the outer edge of the dough.
Crimp the edges by folding over a corner and then repeating along the edge until fully sealed.
Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with the sea salt.
Bake in the oven for approximately 15 minutes until golden brown.
Brush with melted butter.
Enjoy!
If you’d like to print this recipe to try at home, just hit PRINT on the recipe card below.
Meaty bolognese calzone
Ingredients
For the filling:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 red onion finely chopped
- 1 red pepper finely diced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tsp hot chilli powder
- 500 g 18 oz lean beef mince
- 400 g 14 oz chopped tomatoes
- 1 tbsp tomato puree
- 180 g 6 oz mozzarella, diced
Pinch of salt and pepperFor the crust:
- 7 g 1 sachet dry active yeast
- 350 g 12.5 oz plain flour
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Pinch sea salt
- 30 g 1 oz butter, melted
Instructions
Preparing the filling
- Heat the olive oil in a large pan. Add the onion, red pepper, garlic, oregano and chilli powder. Fry for around 5 minutes until starting to soften. Add the mince and fry for 7 to 10 minutes until browned.
- Add the chopped tomatoes and tomato puree. Simmer on low for around 5 minutes until any excess liquid has gone (don’t boil, the meat will toughen), then set aside to cool completely.Preparing the dough
- Meanwhile, in a bowl, mix the yeast with 4 tbsp water and leave to dissolve for 5 minutes. Add 180ml warm water and all of the flour. Mix until it comes together as a dough.
- Turn onto floured surface. Knead for about 5 minutes until smooth and springy. Split the dough in four equal balls. Place in a ziplock bag or under cling film to prevent drying out.Putting it all together
- Preheat the oven to 220C/430F (200C/390F fan). Take a dough ball and roll out to approximately the size of a dinner plate.
- Divide the cooled filling into quarters. Transfer the dough disc to a floured baking tray and spoon a quarter of the filling onto one side of the round. Sprinkle a quarter of the mozzarella on top.
- Dab a wet finger around the outer edge of the dough. Fold the dough over and press to seal.
- Dab a wet finger around the outer edge of the dough. Crimp the edges by folding over a corner and then repeating along the edge until fully sealed. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with the sea salt.
- Bake in the oven for approximately 15 minutes until golden brown. Brush with melted butter.
Video
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Jake Ferrer says
I’ve never tried doing anything like this. But it looks really yummy. I’ll gonna share it to my mom. Maybe she can try it one day.
Emily Leary says
My family love this recipe. I hope your mum does too. Do let me know!
Louise says
This looks absolutely delicious, Emily. I’ve never tried Calzone before. I may have to give making one a go :)
Louise x
Emily Leary says
You really should, the buttery dough really adds something fantastic to the dish!
Tanya says
This looks and sounds great, my sister’s favourite meal is Bolognese so I’ll have to show her this recipe and see if she wants to make it together one week
Emily Leary says
Thanks so much! Oh yes, if she loves bolognese I expect she’ll love it! Let me know how you get on.
Louise says
Love this and this is my favourite recipe for calazone. Whenever I go out to a restaurant they always offer a ham and mushroom filling but rarerly a filling like this. My favourite Italian in Sheffield Mama and Leonies do a fabulous Bolognaise one! Will try this recipe x
Emily Leary says
Thank you! Yes I thought I’d try something different from a standard pizza topping type filling and it turned out well.
Linda Hobbis says
On first sight I thought this was a Cornish pasty but a calzone is equally delicious. I find them a really hearty meal – ideal for this weather.
Emily Leary says
Hehe it’s kind of the best of the three worlds ;) Yes it’s really satisfying and delicious.
kirsty says
I’ve never tried calzone before but I love the sound of combining bolognese with pastry! This would make for a great lunch idea and I could easily give it to my daughter as well.
Emily Leary says
It’s honestly so good! The bread dough is lovely and thin around the yummy bolognese.
Bethany says
Oh wow that sounds amazing, just the right amount of spice and seasoning, I definitly have to give this a go.
Emily Leary says
Thanks so much. I’m so glad you’re going to give it a go – let me know how you get on!
Lynne Harper says
I would never have thought of putting this together but yum. Its also something my boys could help me make as well, so a fun recipe for us all to get involved with x
Emily Leary says
Yes, absolutely! My kids love helping in the kitchen and kneading dough is particular favourite.
Rhian Westbury says
These look as much like pasties as they do calzone’s but they look so tasty, I’ll definitely have to give something like this a go x
Emily Leary says
Thank you, yes they really are very tasty. Let me know how you get on!
Melanie williams says
I love the presentation of this with the salad – looks so yummy x
Emily Leary says
Thank you! Together they make a really amazing meal :)
Laura Dove says
Ohhhhh calzone used to be my absolute favourite! I haven’t had it since I went gluten free but this looks delicious and I know my kids would love it! You can’t beat bolognese, especially when it’s wrapped in pizza dough – yum!
Emily Leary says
Thank so much. I hope you enjoy it – I will see if I can develop a workable gluten free version.
Bryanna Skye says
I love calzones and can’t wait to make this for my partner and a veggie version for myself! Thanks for sharing :)
Emily Leary says
Fabulous! I hope you enjoy it. Do send me a pic if you get a chance x
La French Connection says
OMG, bolognaise and pizza in one dish. That looks awesome. I sometimes replace the mince with Quorn and I find it just as awesome.
Mika
Emily Leary says
Oh yeah – it’s extra special. And I agree, Quorn is great!
Leah Lander-Shafik says
Oh this looks so yummy! I am putting on the list of my ‘to try soon’ as we love trying new things and this would go down so well x
Emily Leary says
Thank you! I’m so glad you’re going to try it. Do send me a pic, when you do!
HB says
Hi!
What kind of yeast did you use please?
Emily Leary says
Hi, good question. I should have said. I used fast acting yeast. The kind you get in sachets for bread making.
Notmyyearoff says
They look so yummy, those pics made my mouth water!
Claire says
Yum, that looks so good! I made calzone once, years ago, and you’ve certainly tempted me to make it again :)
Aly says
I wonder if it would work well with veggie mince? My lot aren’t keen pastry eaters but i think I could persuade them to give it a try.Not leaving any severed hand comments :)
Maria @ Feisty Tapas says
I’ve never tried calzone, the name gives me the giggles every time as it is very close to the Spanish word for knickers (pants). Yours looks so good though and I do make bolognese all the time as it is so convenient. Off to have a look at everyone else’s recipes, I am menu planning tonight
MrsJC says
That looks and sounds yummy. I’m going to have to give it a try some day! x
The Foodie Blog says
Thanks for hosting again missus – the sooner I get an oven the better!
Lilinha Espindula says
Yummy! I should try your recipe as my husband is a big fan of calzone! :) x
nyssapod says
I’ve linked up a blogpost about ‘Peppers with chick peas and gorgonzola’, which is based on a Nigel Slater recipe. Hope this is ok
jenny paulin says
mmmmm i love calzone haven’t had it for absolutely ages so i need to PIN this now to remind me x
olivia kirby says
That looks very tasty!!! I think my Tom would like to give that a go.
Cat (Yellow Days) says
Oooo Hubs would love this!
Emma says
That looks and sounds really nice! :)
Charlotte says
Lovely to finally link up! I’ve been meaning to for ages! x
Galina V says
Emily, Emily, how could you? lol I haven’t had a calzone in ages, and don’t think I ever cooked a proper calzone myself. Maybe I should give it a go.
otilia says
i love calzone! it is my favourite pizza but i never dared trying to make it at home. You now inspired me to try it x
Midlife Singlemum says
I make this with the vegetarian Tivol (what’s it called in the UK? Tivall? Tivalli?) ‘mince meat’ . I swear that if you put in a bit of onion soup powder and a shlug of soy sauce it tastes exactly like the real thing. Try it and see if your husband notices the difference.
Coombemill - Fiona says
Your Calzone look fab, I think I will give these a whirl.