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Easy Spinach Calzones Recipe

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3.9 from 88 reviews

These easy spinach calzones are a delicious and nutritious twist on traditional calzones, filled with a savory mixture of sautéed spinach, mushrooms, onions, and a blend of cheeses including ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan. They are brushed with a garlic butter topping after baking, making them perfect for a comforting meal or snack in under an hour.

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

Cheese Mixture

  • 8 oz low-fat ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tbsp dried Italian seasoning
  • 8 oz mozzarella cheese or fontina, shredded fresh from the block
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese, finely shredded from the block
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp pepper

Vegetable Filling

  • 1 ½ tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 5 oz fresh baby spinach
  • ½ cup chopped fresh mushrooms
  • ⅓ sweet onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced

Dough & Topping

  • 14.1 oz package refrigerated pizza dough
  • 2 tbsp butter, melted
  • ½ tsp garlic salt
  • Grated Parmesan cheese, for sprinkling

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the calzones.
  2. Sauté Vegetables: In a large sauté pan, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onions and mushrooms, cooking them until they become soft and fragrant. Then, add the fresh baby spinach and minced garlic, cooking until the spinach is completely wilted. Drain any excess liquid from the vegetable mixture, allow it to cool, and set aside.
  3. Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the low-fat ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella (or fontina), egg, dried Italian seasoning, finely shredded Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Once mixed, gently fold in the cooled sautéed vegetable mixture until everything is evenly blended.
  4. Shape Calzones: Flour a large cutting board and unroll the refrigerated pizza dough to form a large rectangle. Use a rolling pin if necessary to smooth out the dough evenly. Cut the dough into 6 even squares using a pizza cutter. Distribute the filling evenly across each square. Fold each square over the filling to form a half-moon shape, stretching the dough slightly to close the edges. Roll the edges and press down firmly with a fork to seal the calzones securely.
  5. Prepare for Baking: Place the calzones onto a greased cookie sheet or a pizza pan sprayed with cooking spray. Using a knife, cut a few small slits in the top of each calzone to allow steam to escape while baking. Lightly brush the tops with a small amount of olive oil.
  6. Bake Calzones: Bake the calzones in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until they are nicely browned on the tops and bottoms, indicating they are fully cooked.
  7. Add Garlic Butter Topping: While the calzones are baking, stir together the melted butter and garlic salt in a small bowl. Once the calzones are out of the oven, brush this garlic butter mixture over the tops of each calzone. Sprinkle a little additional grated Parmesan cheese on top for extra flavor.
  8. Serve: Serve the warm spinach calzones with your favorite marinara sauce for dipping to complement the rich and cheesy filling.

Notes

  • Ensure you drain the sautéed vegetables well before mixing to prevent soggy calzones.
  • If you prefer, substitute mozzarella with another melting cheese like fontina for a different flavor.
  • You can prepare the filling ahead of time and refrigerate it before assembling the calzones.
  • Use refrigerated pizza dough for convenience, or make your own dough if desired.
  • Calzones can be served fresh or reheated in the oven for a crispy finish.
  • Adjust seasoning to taste, especially salt and garlic salt in the butter topping.
  • Author: Madelynn
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Low Fat

Find it online: https://allyumcooks.com/easy-spinach-calzones-recipe/