SAUSAGE CALZONES

Sausage Calzones image

My husband, Tom, and I both enjoy cooking Italian food. We took the filling we usually use for ravioli and wrapped it in a dough to make these excellent calzones. The Italian sausage blends so beautifully with the cheeses and spinach. -Janine Colasurdo, Chesapeake, Virginia

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 1h10m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
3/4 cup warm milk (110° to 115°)
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons olive oil, divided
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon sugar
3 to 3-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 pound bulk Italian sausage
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 carton (15 ounces) ricotta cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons cornmeal
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1-1/2 cups pizza sauce, warmed

Steps:

In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add the milk, 2 tablespoons oil, salt, sugar and 2 cups flour; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. , Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl; turn once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. , Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Add the spinach, cheeses, parsley and pepper; mix well. , Punch dough down; divide into six pieces. On a floured surface, roll each piece into an 8-in. circle. Top each with 2/3 cup filling. Fold dough over filling; pinch to seal. , Place on greased baking sheets sprinkled with cornmeal. Brush tops lightly with remaining oil; sprinkle with garlic salt. Bake at 400° for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with pizza sauce. Freeze option: Freeze cooled baked calzones in resealable plastic freezer bags. To use, reheat calzones on a greased baking sheet in a preheted 350° oven until heated through.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 616 calories, Fat 28g fat (11g saturated fat), Cholesterol 68mg cholesterol, Sodium 1619mg sodium, Carbohydrate 63g carbohydrate (10g sugars, Fiber 5g fiber), Protein 29g protein.