Mini Calzones are the perfect easy lunch or dinner for the kiddos. Made with four simple ingredients, or made totally from scratch, these are perfect for busy families!
This recipe (which barely counts as a recipe) was something I made a million years ago when my kiddos were very little littles. Made with four simple ingredients that are easy to grab at the grocery store, these are fantastic to make on busy weekdays or for lunches.
These days, I don’t cook with pre-made ingredients. It is just one of the many benefits of not having toddlers and babies anymore. But these are fantastic the original way or with my homemade swaps. As long as everyone leaves the table with full tummies and full hearts, it’s a win.
Mini Calzone Ingredients
This is a brief overview of what you will need for this simple dinner. For all of the measurements, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Biscuit Dough: This pre-made dough is perfect for making this a quick go-to dinner. The biscuits are already a great shape and just get rolled out. Read below on how to swap this with my Homemade Pizza Dough.
- Pizza Sauce: Calzones don’t usually have sauce in them, but we love these with a little sauce. Buy some or use my Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe.
- Pepperoni: This is our kid’s favorite pizza topping, but you could use any pizza toppings you love in these.
- Mozzarella: While it will save you five minutes if you buy pre-shredded cheese, we are already using a lot of time savers here. I suggest that you shred your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheese is coated in preservatives that keep it from melting well.
- Extras: In addition to these four basic ingredients, I like to top these with Italian seasoning, a little melted butter, and some Parmesan.
How to Make Mini Calzones
Again, this is a brief overview of how to make these. For the full recipe with all of the measurements, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Roll out the dough. While the biscuits are already the right shape, they are a bit small to fit our toppings well. Roll them out a bit, or even just stretch them with your hands.
- Add your toppings. I love letting my kids do this. If your kids are really little, make sure to supervise so they don’t add too much. Add a little sauce, a little cheese, and some additional toppings like pepperoni or olives.
- Fold over the calzones. Pinch them closed.
- Top them. Brush them lightly with melted butter, a little Italian Seasoning, and some Parmesan.
Italian Seasoning
Using Pizza Dough
If you want to make this recipe from scratch, you are going to need to use Pizza Dough instead and then replace the jarred sauce with homemade Pizza Sauce.
My pizza dough recipe makes enough for two 12 or 14 inch pizzas. To use it in this recipe, pull off half the dough and roll it out. Use a small glass tumbler turned over to cut out small circles. You will likely then need to roll those circles out further. Then proceed with the recipe as written.
Pizza Dough
Storing and Reheating
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. Please keep in mind that the leftovers won’t be as good as the original, as that is the way it is with refrigerator dough.
Reheat the mini calzones in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 20 minutes or until warmed through.
What to Serve with Mini Calzones
Here are a few sides that would pair perfectly with these and also are recipes that my own kids really love.
If you make these Mini Calzones for your family, I’d be honored if you took the time to come back and leave a comment letting me know how it goes!
Mini Calzones
Ingredients
- 16 ounces refrigerator biscuits (or pizza dough)
- 1/4 cup pizza sauce
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- pepperoni
- other pizza toppings
- 2 tablespoons butter melted (optional)
- 1/2 tablespoon Italian Seasoning (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Open the biscuits and roll them with a rolling pin so they are a bit bigger in diameter and thinner. (See photos.)
- Top each biscuit with sauce, cheese, pepperoni, and any other pizza toppings you might enjoy.
- Fold the biscuit dough over on itself and pinch it closed with your fingers or a fork.
- Brush the folded calzones with melted butter and Italian seasoning (optional).
- Place the mini calzones on a prepared baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
MV12YFV71MV says
You could put a Mexican spin to this too! Salsa, seasoned taco meat and colby jack. Oh the many renditions that come to mind.
Rachel Willis says
Being sick sucks. Plain and simple. I have enough trouble keeping on track when I’m well! I say ‘hats off’ to you, Ms. Lisa W & G! You have 2 small ones to keep up with! A job is a total break! It used to be my escape. No I just go to the grocery store to get away. Anyway, these are awesome! I am all for quick and easy meals.
Lisa Longley says
Oh, bless your heart for saying that, Rachel. Seriously. I have had a couple moms tell me they tried being stay at home moms and decided they were better off working. I wanted to hug them. Neither life is easy, and they both have their pros and cons. :)
Rebekah says
You can also use leftovers. :D Leftover chicken pot pie filling (a favorite here), sloppy joe meat, taco meat, shredded chicken, etc. :D
Lisa Longley says
Genius Rebekah! Love it!
Corinna Ashley says
This is amazing! I wonder if they could be frozen for later? I would like that and instead make my own dough.
And what really amazes me is blogging moms with out of the home jobs who actually have readers. I have no readers- not amazing. But those with readers- amaze-balls!
Hahahha Corinna! I think you could make these and freeze them for later, you would just have to play with the baking time a little.
Corinna Ashley says
Ill try it out and follow up just in case anyone else is curious :)
Please do!
Kandace says
Thank you for this recipe, it was great and easy. We had them for supper tonight.
You are very welcome Kandance! It makes me so happy when people try my recipes and they go well!