A calzone is a delicious Italian dish made of dough that is rolled out and then filled with various meats, cheeses, and vegetables. Once it is filled, the dough is then sealed and baked.
Calzones are similar to pizzas, but the dough is not as thin, and the toppings are usually enclosed in the dough.
What is calzone, and what does calzone taste like?
Calzone is a type of Italian turnover made from the pizza dough that is filled with cheese, meat, vegetables, or other ingredients. It has a crisp outer crust and a gooey interior.
Calzones typically have a flavor similar to pizza but are slightly sweeter due to the use of sugar in the dough.
The inside can vary greatly depending on what filling you choose; however, most commonly, they contain ricotta and mozzarella cheese with some type of meat, such as ham or pepperoni.
Other popular fillings include spinach, mushrooms, onions, olives and bell peppers. Calzones can be served either hot or cold and make for an easy meal that everyone can enjoy!
One of the best things about calzones is that they are very versatile. While calzones are often served as a main course, they can also be enjoyed as an appetizer or side dish. If you’re looking for some tasty sides to serve with your next calzone, look no further!
Here are some of the delicious ideas to serve with Calzones.
20 Amazing Sides to serve with Calzones
1. Salad
A green salad is an excellent side dish for a calzone. The acidity of the dressing will help to cut through the richness of the calzone filling. Plus, it adds a nice crunch.
Try pairing your calzone with a simple Caesar salad or a more adventurous Kale and Quinoa salad.
2. Soup
Soup is another great option for a side dish. It can be warm on a cold day or cooling on a hot day. A light soup such as minestrone or chicken noodles would be perfect alongside a calzone.
Know More: What to Serve with Pizza
3. Garlic Bread
Garlic bread is always a good idea! It pairs well with just about anything, including calzones. Plus, it’s easy to make and can be served fresh out of the oven.
4. Potato wedges
Potato wedges are a great alternative to traditional french fries. They are crisp on the exterior and fluffy on the interior. Plus, they go well with dipping sauces such as ketchup, ranch dressing, or even BBQ sauce.
Know More: What to Serve With Potato Wedges
5. Fruit salad
A fruit salad might seem like an odd choice for a side dish, but trust us, it works! The sweetness of the fruit will complete the savory flavors of the calzone perfectly.
Plus, it’s a healthy option too! Eat fruit salad with your calzone with a watermelon and feta salad or a mixed berry salad, or slices of orange or lemon, grapes, or berries. Whatever you choose, your guests are sure to enjoy!
You can also try a simple green salad with some vinaigrette dressing or a Caprese salad with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil.
6. Garlic Knots
Garlic knots are the perfect complement to any Italian dish. They are simple to make and can be served fresh out of the oven.
Just take some pizza dough, tie it into knots, brush it with olive oil and garlic, and bake!
7. Breadsticks
Breadsticks are another excellent option for dipping into your favorite sauce. Make them from scratch or buy them pre-made; either way, they will be delicious!
8. Mozzarella and Tomato Salad
This classic Italian dish pairs perfectly with calzone as it adds a light, fresh flavor to the heavier meal. The addition of tomatoes, mozzarella and basil brings in extra nutrition and an unmistakable taste that simply can’t be beaten.
9. Broccoli Rabe
This slightly bitter vegetable is a great way to add variety to your calzone meal. Roasting broccoli rabe with garlic and olive oil gives it even more deliciousness while also bringing health benefits to the dish.
10. Spinach Artichoke Dip
Creamy and cheesy, this dip is a fantastic side for any calzone craving.
Made up of spinach, artichokes, spices and cheese, this snack is sure to be a crowd-pleaser when served alongside your favorite Italian-style bread pocket.
11. Stuffed Mushrooms
Another delicious appetizer for your calzone dinner is stuffed mushrooms! They are easy to prepare ahead of time with breadcrumbs, cheese, garlic and herbs, so you can serve them hot from the oven whenever you’re ready to eat.
12. Bruschetta
If you’re looking for something lighter than dipping sauces or heavy side dishes, then bruschetta is an ideal choice (Recipe)! It requires minimal preparation time (just a few minutes!) yet packs plenty of flavors thanks to its mix of diced tomatoes, garlic and herbs atop crunchy toast slices.
13. Olive Tapenade
A perfect combination between salty olives, sharp capers and creamy almonds—this tapenade will have your mouth watering just thinking about it! Serve it as an accompaniment to your calzone, along with some crusty bread or crackers for a unique flavor experience every time you eat it.
14. Caprese Skewers
For an easy yet delicious side dish, try these caprese skewers! All you need are cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, and basil leaves threaded onto wooden skewers—easy peasy! Not only are they super tasty, but they look pretty, too, when served that way!
15. Balsamic Glazed Asparagus Spears
To add even more green goodness into the mix, why not try out balsamic glazed asparagus spears? Dressed with balsamic vinegar reduction before being roasted in the oven, these veggie spears bring out amazing flavors that make them irresistible when enjoyed alongside calzone.
16. Fried Zucchini Flowers
These delectable treats are sure to impress whoever tries them out! Filled with ricotta cheese before being fried until golden brown, they have an irresistible texture that complements nicely any type of pizza or calzone that comes afterward!
17. Prosciutto Wrapped Melon Balls
This sophisticated appetizer combines sweet melon balls wrapped in salty prosciutto, which makes for an exquisite starter before indulging in your main course—calzones included! Plus, they look amazing when presented on a plate, so don’t forget about this one!
18 . Baked Buffalo Wings
A true classic, buffalo wings never fail! The spicy kick combined with tender chicken pieces will give your entire meal another level of flavor —just don’t forget the sides like celery sticks, carrots or blue cheese dip if you want to enjoy these babies at their fullest!
19 . Grilled Vegetables
If you’re looking for something healthier, then grilled vegetables should do the trick! You can choose whatever vegetables you prefer, but zucchini, squash, and bell peppers work particularly well together due to their sweetness which contrasts beautifully against the savoriness of the calzone filling.
20 . Focaccia
Last but not least, let’s talk about focaccia —a traditional flatbread from Italy that has been gaining popularity worldwide due to its deliciousness.
Enjoying Focaccia with calzone might sound odd at first, but trust us, once topped with rosemary olive oil spread, it will quickly become one of your favorites!
All these dishes are perfect accompaniments for calzones, so pick one (or more!) and dive into this Italian classic. Buon appetito!
What are the best flavors to go with calzone?
When it comes to calzone flavors, you really can’t go wrong with classic combinations like pepperoni and cheese, sausage and peppers, or a combination of meats like salami and ham.
However, there are lots of other delicious options that make for unique calzones. Some other great flavor combinations include bacon and onion; ricotta, spinach, and garlic; roasted veggies such as mushrooms, bell peppers, and onions; pesto and tomato; Buffalo chicken; barbecue beef or pork; Margherita-style (with fresh mozzarella); sweet potato with feta and thyme; or chorizo with queso fresco.
Whatever your favorite flavors are, calzones can be an easy and tasty meal. With so many options, you’ll never get bored with the classic combo of dough, cheese, and sauce. Enjoy!
How do you jazz up calzone?
One of the best ways to jazz up a calzone is to try different fillings. Instead of just using cheese and meat, try adding some vegetables such as mushrooms, spinach, onions, peppers or tomatoes.
You can also add herbs and spices like oregano, basil or cumin for an extra layer of flavor.
Additionally, if you’re looking for something more indulgent, why not stuff your calzone with garlic butter and mozzarella? For a healthier take on the classic Italian dish, try using whole wheat dough instead of white flour.
This will add more fiber and nutrients to your meal. Finally, don’t forget to sprinkle some Parmesan cheese over the top before baking so that it gets nice and crispy!
What is the best way to serve calzone on any occasion?
The best way to serve calzone on any occasion is to pre-slice it so that guests can easily help themselves.
Additionally, you can invest in a pizza cutting wheel or knife, which will make slicing even easier. It is a great idea to have some additional side dishes and toppings like sauces, salads, and other antipasto items available.
This will allow people to customize their favorite flavors as they enjoy the delicious calzone! Finally, don’t forget to provide plates and napkins so your guests can eat their treat mess-free. Enjoy!
10 best calzone recipes you should try
1. Classic Italian Calzone
This traditional calzone is made with classic Italian fillings such as ham, salami, olives and mozzarella cheese. The dough is made from a mix of all-purpose flour, olive oil, yeast, sugar and salt. It’s generously served fresh out of the oven with a flank of marinara sauce for dipping.
2. Spinach and Ricotta Calzone
This vegetarian-friendly calzone is packed with flavor thanks to the combination of spinach, ricotta cheese and mozzarella cheese inside the folded pizza dough. Add some diced tomatoes for an extra burst of flavor that pairs nicely with the cheesy goodness inside.
3. BBQ Chicken Calzone
For an American twist on this classic Italian dish, try using shredded BBQ chicken instead of traditional meats like pepperoni or sausage. You can also add some red onion or bell peppers for a bit more color and crunch. Serve it with extra BBQ sauce on the side for added zing!
4. Greek Calzone
Use feta cheese combined with Kalamata olives, spinach leaves and sun-dried tomatoes to make this Mediterranean-inspired calzone recipe. You can also add grilled chicken pieces if you want to turn them into a full meal instead of just an appetizer or snack food!
5. Cheeseburger Calzone
Why have a regular cheeseburger when you can have one in a calzone? All you need are pre-cooked hamburger patties (or homemade ones!), your favorite cheddar cheese slices and shredded lettuce inside the folded pizza dough shell before baking until golden brown!
6. Margherita Calzone
Who says Margherita pizza has to stay flat? This version uses classic ingredients such as mozzarella cheese slices, fresh basil leaves and cherry tomatoes cut into quarters before being placed inside the folded pizza dough shell and bakes in preheated oven until golden brown!
7. Philly Cheese Steak Calzone
Skip the sandwich and opt for this tasty calzone recipe filled with steak strips cooked with onions, bell peppers and mushrooms, along with melted provolone cheese slices from within the pizza crust before baking until golden brown! Serve it hot alongside some creamy ranch dressing for dipping!
8. Pepperoni Pizza Calzones
Take all the great flavors from your favorite pepperoni pizza but pack them into these delicious little pockets instead! Layer on mozzarella cheese and pepperoni slices to get that classic combo we all know and love!
9. Buffalo Chicken Calzones
If you’re looking for something spicy, try these delicious buffalo chicken calzones featuring cooked chicken cubes tossed in Frank’s Red-Hot Sauce combined with crumbled blue cheese stuffed in each pocket before baking until golden brown! Serve hot with ranch dressing on the side if desired!
10. Spinach Artichoke Dip Calzones
Get everyone’s favorite party dip in calzones form! Simply mix together cooked spinach leaves, artichokes hearts, along cream cheese, then stuff it all inside each pocket before baking until golden brown perfection!
Wrap Up
There are many delicious options for side dishes to serve with your calzone. Choose something to complement the flavors in your calzone, or try something new! Whatever you choose, we’re sure that it will be delicious!
