Large Calzone 14″ with Ham and Cheese

14″ Calzone with Ham and Cheese with fresh grated Parmesan and chopped Parsley.

The Best Calzone

Make no mistake about it, I have cracked the code to making the most amazing Calzones and it all starts with this Pizza Dough Recipe. Anyone that has used this dough has raved about it so, you should definitely start with that. This Calzone recipe, however, is a basic guide to teach you how to make the best Calzone through and through. Feel free to add or substitute anything you want for the filling but, I highly recommend that you stick with the Ricotta, the Mozzarella and EVERYTHING else about this recipe, so your Calzone will be amazing, too.

Be sure to check out my Stromboli Supreme and, if you’re interested all of Pizza recipes including: Nacho Pizza, Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza and my famous Margherita Pizza. I’ve even got recipes for Ramen Pizza , Pizza Tacos and Italian Cheese Bread.

If you like Chicken Wings with your Pizza, check out my classic Buffalo Chicken Wings, Honey Chipotle Chicken Wings, Wasabi Chicken Wings and/or my Ranch Chicken Wings. These recipes are easy and they’re the best!

YouTube video for a Large 14″ Calzone with Ham and Cheese by PoorMansGourmet.

Ham and Cheese Calzone Ingredients:

1 Pizza Dough, 14″ pizza
4 pc Ham, thinly sliced
8 oz Mozzarella Cheese, grated
2 tbsp Ricotta Cheese
Kosher Salt and Pepper to taste the Ricotta and Mozzarella Cheese.

Egg Wash
1 egg, beaten
Kosher Salt and Pepper the outside of the Calzone before baking.

Topping
2 tbsp Olive Oil
1 tsp Italian Seasoning
1 Garlic Clove, chopped
1 pinch Kosher Salt & Pepper

1 tbsp Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated
1 tbsp Fresh Parsley, chopped

Be sure to follow the instructions in the Calzone video tutorial and bake at 475° Fahrenheit for 7 to 10 minutes or until golden brown, then slice and serve.

Italian Cheese Bread

The Best Italian Cheese Bread

Weather you’re used to Little Caesars Italian Cheese Bread or Papa John’s Cheese Sticks, maybe even some other version from another local Pizza Pie cafe you love, they’re all pretty much one in the same; a baked pizza crust with some variation of ingredients mixed into the melted cheese. So, it doesn’t matter what you call it just as long as it’s good and I’ve got a great recipe for you. Not only is it good, it’s great and it’s really easy to make, too.

Fresh out of the oven, sliced Italian Cheese Bread.

How I make Italian Cheese Bread

When I make Italian Cheese Bread I use my Pizza Dough Recipe, only I bake it at lower temperature. I also use my Pizza Sauce Recipe for dipping, as well. One of the secret ingredients, however, to making great cheese bread is seasoning the dough after it’s been rolled out. I keep it very simple by spreading 1/4 cup of Italian dressing because it’s got everything you need. Then I lay down the cheese, Mozzarella and Romano. It’s a perfect combination mixed with dried Mexican Oregano and some crushed Chili Flakes.

Italian Cheese Bread Ingredients:

1 lbs Pizza dough
1/4 cup Italian dressing
1 cup Mozzarella cheese, grated
2 tbsp Romano cheese, grated
1 tsp Mexican Oregano, dried
1 tsp Crushed Chili flakes, dried

Make the dough the day before and refrigerate for best results. Remove the dough 1 hour before baking and allow it to rise and reach room temperature before rolling it out. Bake Italian Cheese Bread at 475 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 minutes on the bottom rack.

Garlic Bread Pizza with Texas Toast

Garlic Bread Pizza made with Texas Toast and Spaghetti Sauce.

The Best Garlic Bread Pizza

If you’re like me and you love pizza, you can’t go wrong with this simple Garlic Bread Pizza recipe. It’s practically fool proof. Best of all. You can purchase all of the ingredients pre-made and it’s cheap to do so. I use frozen garlic Texas Toast, which already has the seasoned butter spread on every individual slice and bottled spaghetti sauce. Now all you need is grated Mozzarella cheese and pepperoni or what ever your favorite toppings may be.

Box of Generic Frozen Garlic Texas Toast.

Frozen Garlic Bread Pizza

I always preach about using fresh ingredients when making my recipes but this Garlic Bread Pizza is an exception. Purchasing pre-made Texas Toast isn’t just smart it’s more efficient, for several reasons. It’s cheap and pre-made with a spread of butter that already includes fresh garlic and herbs. Plus, bread freezes so well, after it’s baked you can’t even tell that it wasn’t made fresh. So, you can purchase a french loaf for cheap and fork out money for all of the other ingredients or just pay for one product that costs less in the long run.

You can also re-freeze these Texas Toast Pizzas if you want save the baking for later. That way these are ready go, like a frozen burrito, on demand. I purchase half size zip lock bags and package each one and freeze in batches for my kids, when they want a quick snack. They can be cooked in a toaster oven or baked in a traditional, even nuked in a microwave if you don’t mind the bread a little soggy.

Pepperoni, Spaghetti Sauce and Mozzarella cheese.

Garlic Bread Pizza Toppings

Once you decide what bread you want to use, to make your Garlic Bread Pizza, you’re off and running. I often use bottled Spaghetti sauce in place of pizza sauce but you can use barbecue sauce or even cheese whiz or nacho cheese. If you think I’m kidding, give it a try or look up my Nacho Cheese Pizza recipe and see for yourself. I use mayonnaise for my Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza and it’s phenomenal.

Now you just need to choose and your toppings. I usually keep it simple for my kids and just add pepperoni. But, believe me when I tell you, just the cheese is enough if you don’t want to add anything else. Otherwise the skies the limit.

This recipe was one of the first video recipes I ever filmed and posted. I got the idea from some Pizza Hut adds that were running back in 2012. If you’d like to see the original post, video and recipe, CLICK HERE!

Garlic Bread Pizza Ingredients:

1 box Texas Toast, 8 piece
1/2 cup Spaghetti Sauce, 1 tbsp per bread slice
1 cup Mozzarella cheese, grated
4 oz Pepperoni, sliced

Bake Texas Toast only at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 4 to 5 minutes, then remove from oven and flip each piece. Add sauce, cheese and pepperoni, then bake again for an additional 7 minutes or until cheese is melted.