Pizza night is getting an upgrade! Pepperoni and Pepper Calzones are a nice break from your typical pizza dinner. Salty, spicy pepperoni and colorful peppers are smothered in cheese—all wrapped in fluffy pizza dough.

Pepperoni and pepper calzones are great to make with family and friends. Let everyone roll out their own dough, choose their fillings, and bake some calzones! Or, make a bunch of mini calzones for a crowd-pleasing appetizer.

Ben Wyatt would be proud.

A head-on photo of calzones cut in half and stacked on top of each other with cheese melting out

Why KJ Loves

Pepperoni and Pepper Calzones

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Pepperoni and Pepper Calzones

I can remember folding over and baking calzones with my family all throughout growing up. They are such a fun spin on your classic pizza night! Plus, you can just dig right in with a fork and have all the wonderful bites of a pizza all in one go. Easily customize your calzone with your favorite fillings – this is the perfect recipe for a family dinner night, game night or dinner party! Get everyone involved in building their own calzone!

Pepperoni & Pepper Calzone Ingredients

Pizza dough

To choose your route, answer: How fancy are you feeling?

A) Not fancy. Give me the quickest option.

No need to make things complicated—pre-made dough is easy to use and saves a lot of time. I love Trader Joe’s pre-made pizza dough! You can also usually buy pre-made pizza dough from local bakeries or pizzerias.

B) I’ll put in some Like…I could stir something.

Pizza dough mix may be the right option for you. You usually only have to add water.

C) I want to make a masterpiece.

Go the ultimate route and make your own pizza dough from scratch!

Pizza sauce

Traditionally, calzones don’t have tomato sauce. But I love pizza sauce, so we’re adding it! Use whatever you have on hand.

Mozzarella cheese

Obviously. You can’t have calzones without cheese!

Pepperoni

I like to get the larger-sliced pepperoni either from the deli section of the grocery store or the deli counter itself.

Peppers

I recommend green bell peppers, but you can also use red bell peppers.

An overhead photo showing ingredients to a calzone including, dough, green pepper, pepperoni, a bowl of cheese and a bowl of marinara sauce.

A photo of dough rolled out into a circle

A photo of calzone dough rolled out in a circle with marinara sauce spread on half of it.

Calzone FAQs

What is a calzone?

A calzone is essentially a folded-over pizza. All the pizza ingredients and fillings are on one side of the dough, and then you fold the top over and crimp it to seal the edges.

Is calzone the same as pizza dough?

Calzones use a yeasted dough, just like pizza. They’re interchangeable for this pepperoni and pepper recipe.

Should a calzone have sauce inside?

Technically, no. But I like sauce, so just try to stop me.

How do you keep calzones from getting soggy?

If you cut small vents on the top of your calzones, it will let out steam and keep your calzone dough crispy. You can also brush an egg wash over the dough for a golden-brown finish.

What do you serve with calzones?

Serve the pepperoni and pepper calzones with some parmesan cheese and additional marinara sauce for dipping!

A photo of calzone dough rolled out topped with marinara sauce, pepperoni and cheese on half of it.

An overhead photo of dough folded in half to create a half circle for a calzone.

An overhead photo of a dough folded in half to create a half circle with the edges crimped.

Looking for other Pizza Recipes? Check these out!

Prosciutto Breakfast Pizza

Pepperoni Pizza Pockets

Pepperoni Pizza Roll-Ups