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 bell pepper finely diced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp hot chilli powder
- 500 g (18 oz) lean beef mince (ground beef)
- 400 g (14 oz) canned chopped tomatoes
- 1 tbsp tomato puree
- 180 g (6 oz) fresh mozzarella diced
Pinch of salt and pepperFor the crust:
- 1 sachet fast-action dried yeast 7g / 1 tbsp
- 350 g (2½ cup) plain white flour (all purpose flour)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Pinch sea salt flakes
- 30 g (2 tbsp) salted butter melted
Equipment
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 Recipe
Ingredients
For the filling:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 red onion finely chopped
- 1 red bell pepper finely diced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp hot chilli powder
- 500 g (18 oz) lean beef mince (ground beef)
- 400 g (14 oz) canned chopped tomatoes
- 1 tbsp tomato puree
- 180 g (6 oz) fresh mozzarella diced
Pinch of salt and pepperFor the crust:
- 1 sachet fast-action dried yeast 7g / 1 tbsp
- 350 g (2½ cup) plain white flour (all purpose flour)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Pinch sea salt flakes
- 30 g (2 tbsp) salted 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 (¾ cup) 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
Nutrition
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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