Introduction
Calzones are a perfect hand-held meal packed with cheesy goodness, savory meats, and fresh vegetables, all wrapped in a golden, crispy crust. With the Arteflame grill, you can create calzones with an irresistible smoky flavor, while achieving a perfectly crispy exterior and a gooey, melty interior. Below, I’ll show you how to make five mouth-watering variations of calzones, all grilled to perfection. Get ready to fire up your grill and enjoy!
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 2 lbs pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- Flour for dusting
General Ingredients (for each calzone):
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ½ cup ricotta cheese
- 1 tbsp butter for brushing the dough
- Marinara sauce for dipping (optional)
Calzone Variation 1: Classic Cheese and Pepperoni
- ¼ cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup sliced pepperoni
- 1 tsp dried oregano
Calzone Variation 2: Sausage and Mushroom
- ½ cup cooked Italian sausage
- ½ cup sautéed mushrooms
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tsp dried basil
Calzone Variation 3: Spinach and Ricotta
- 1 cup fresh spinach (sautéed)
- ½ cup ricotta cheese
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
Calzone Variation 4: Chicken Pesto
- ½ cup grilled chicken breast, diced
- ¼ cup basil pesto
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
Calzone Variation 5: Artichoke and Sun-Dried Tomato
- ½ cup artichoke hearts, chopped
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Arteflame Grill
Start by firing up the Arteflame grill. To light it, pour some vegetable oil on three paper napkins and place them in the center of the grill. Stack your firewood over the napkins and light them. In about 20 minutes, your grill will be ready for cooking.
Step 2: Prepare the Dough and Fillings
- On a floured surface, divide the pizza dough into five equal portions. Roll each piece into a circle about 10 inches in diameter.
- Spread 1 tbsp of ricotta cheese on half of each dough circle, leaving about a 1-inch border for sealing.
Step 3: Add the Fillings
Choose your filling variation and layer the ingredients on top of the ricotta:
- For Pepperoni, spread marinara sauce, pepperoni slices, mozzarella, and oregano.
- For Sausage and Mushroom, add cooked sausage, sautéed mushrooms, mozzarella, and garlic.
- For Spinach and Ricotta, layer sautéed spinach, ricotta, and mozzarella.
- For Chicken Pesto, add diced chicken, pesto, mozzarella, and cherry tomatoes.
- For Artichoke and Sun-Dried Tomato, add artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes, mozzarella, and red pepper flakes.
Step 4: Seal the Calzones
- Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape.
- Press the edges with your fingers and then crimp them with a fork to seal.
- Brush the top of each calzone with melted butter to help achieve a crispy golden crust on the grill.
Step 5: Grill the Calzones
- Place each calzone on the flat cooktop of the Arteflame grill, closer to the edge where the heat is moderate.
- Grill the calzones for 4-5 minutes on each side, rotating them as needed, until the dough is golden and crisp, and the cheese is melted.
- Remove from the grill when the dough is fully cooked and the internal temperature reaches about 165°F. Let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
Step 6: Serve
Serve the calzones hot with marinara sauce on the side for dipping. The crispy exterior and molten cheese inside are guaranteed to impress!
Tips
- Always roll the dough thin to ensure it cooks evenly on the grill.
- Keep the calzones near the outer edge of the cooktop for a gentler heat to avoid burning the dough.
- Don’t overfill the calzones, as this can make them difficult to seal and cook through.
Conclusion
Making calzones on the Arteflame grill elevates the dish to another level, with a perfect sear and smoky flavor you can’t get anywhere else. With these five variations, there’s a calzone for everyone at the table. From the classic cheese and pepperoni to the refreshing chicken pesto, these calzones will leave your guests asking for more.
5 Variations of the Recipe
- BBQ Chicken Calzone: Swap marinara for BBQ sauce, and use grilled chicken, red onion, and cheddar cheese.
- Meat Lovers Calzone: Fill with pepperoni, sausage, ham, and bacon with extra mozzarella.
- Veggie Supreme Calzone: Use grilled zucchini, bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and mozzarella for a hearty veggie version.
- Buffalo Chicken Calzone: Use shredded buffalo chicken, blue cheese, and mozzarella, and serve with ranch on the side.
- Hawaiian Calzone: Fill with ham, pineapple, and mozzarella, and sprinkle with red pepper flakes for a sweet and spicy twist.
Best Pairings
- A crisp Caesar salad
- Grilled asparagus or zucchini
- A cold glass of lemonade or iced tea
