HAM, EGG, AND CHEESE
CALZONES
PREP TIME
10 minutes
ACTIVE TIME
20 minutes
TOTAL TIME
45 minutes (includes cooling time)
MODERATE
All-purpose flour, for dusting
4 ounces thinly sliced black forest ham (about 8 slices), diced
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (8 ounces)
3 large eggs
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound prepared pizza dough, at room temperature
Olive oil, for brushing
Hot sauce and/or salsa, for serving
1. Set one oven rack in the bottom third of the oven and one rack in the upper third and preheat the oven to 450°F. Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. Set out another piece of parchment paper, lightly floured, on a flat work surface.
2. Combine the ham and cheese in a medium bowl and set aside. In a small bowl, whisk the eggs with a large pinch each of salt and pepper.
3. Place a bowl of room-temperature water on the counter. Place the dough on a lightly floured work surface and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Cover all but one piece of dough with a damp dish towel.
4. Place the uncovered piece of dough on the floured parchment paper. Use a rolling pin to roll the dough into a very thin 8-inch round and carefully transfer the round to one of the prepared baking sheets. Use a pastry brush (or your finger) to dab water on the edge of half the circle. On that same water-brushed side, place a heaping ¼ cup of the ham-cheese mixture on the center of the dough. Form a well in the center of the ham-cheese mound and spoon in 1½ to 2 tablespoons of the seasoned eggs, to come up right below the top of the ham-cheese mixture. Carefully fold the unfilled side of the dough over the filling and use your fingers to press the edges together, then fold them over so that the calzone is tightly crimped. Repeat the process with the remaining pieces of dough and the filling so that you end up with 4 calzones on each baking sheet (if any egg seeps out of the calzones, that’s okay; you can trim it off after baking).
5. Brush the calzones with olive oil and bake until they’re golden brown and crispy, rotating the baking sheets from top to bottom and front to back once halfway through baking, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let the calzones cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a platter and serve with hot sauce and/or salsa.
Another great make-ahead recipe! Keep the baked calzones in the fridge, then pop them into the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes and serve with salsa and/or hot sauce.
