Italian Beef and Cheese Calzone

A calzone, "stocking" or "trouser" is an Italian filled oven pizza, originating in Naples. Think of it as an inside-out pizza. It may be served with a sauce, such a pizza sauce, drizzled over the top.

Italian Beef and Cheese Calzone

This recipe is an excellent source of protein, niacin, vitaminB6, vitaminB12, iron, selenium and zinc.

Test Kitchen Tips:

Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed ground beef. Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F. Color is not a reliable indicator of ground beef doneness.

For easy cleanup, line baking sheet with parchment paper. Sprinkle with cornmeal and proceed as directed.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
  • 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes with onions, drained
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
  • 1 cup shredded Italian cheese blend
  • 1 tablespoon cornmeal
  • 1 (13.8 ounce) package refrigerated pizza crust dough

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot.
  3. Add ground beef and bell pepper; cook for 8 to 10 minutes, breaking into 3/4-inch crumbles and stirring occasionally.
  4. Pour off drippings. Stir in tomatoes and oregano; continue cooking for 5 to 7 minutes or until liquid has evaporated.
  5. Remove from heat; stir in cheese. Set aside.
  6. Sprinkle cornmeal evenly over rimmed baking sheet.
  7. Unroll pizza dough lengthwise on baking sheet, straightening edges of dough if necessary.
  8. Spoon beef filling over long half of dough, leaving 1-inch border on 3 sides.
  9. Gently lift and pull top half of dough over filling to enclose; pinch dough edges to seal.
  10. Bake at 400 degrees F for 15 to 20 minutes or until crust is golden brown.
  11. Cool for 5 minutes.
  12. Cut crosswise into 8 slices.

Total: 50 to 60 min | Yield: 4 servings

Nutrition per serving, using 80% lean ground beef: 563 calories; 26 g fat(10 g saturated fat; 7 g monounsaturated fat); 96 mg cholesterol; 764 mg sodium; 50 g carbohydrate; 2.2 g fiber; 37 g protein; 5.2 mg niacin; 0.4 mg vitamin B6; 2.4 mcg vitamin B12; 5.3 mg iron; 18.5 mcg selenium; 5.5 mg zinc

Nutrition per serving, using 95% lean ground beef: 496 calories; 17 g fat(7 g saturated fat; 3 g monounsaturated fat); 96 mg cholesterol; 758 mg sodium; 50 g carbohydrate; 2.2 g fiber; 39 g protein; 6.4 mg niacin; 0.4 mg vitamin B6; 2.3 mcg vitamin B12; 5.7 mg iron; 18.0 mcg selenium; 6.0 mg zinc

Recipe and photo used with permission from: Beef Checkoff