Baked Pepperoni and Mozzarella Calzones with Garlic Herb Butter
Hand-held baked calzones stuffed with pepperoni and mozzarella, brushed with fragrant garlic herb butter for a golden finish. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 38 minutes pairs pizza dough, sliced pepperoni, mozzarella cheese shredded for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb pizza dough
- 30 slices sliced pepperoni
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1/4 cup tomato pizza sauce
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter melted
- 2 cloves minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
- 1/4 tsp salt
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Divide 1 lb pizza dough into 6 equal pieces and roll each into a 6-inch circle.
- Step 2: Spoon 1 tbsp tomato pizza sauce onto one half of each dough circle. Top each with 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella and 5 pepperoni slices.
- Step 3: Fold the dough over the filling and pinch the edges tightly to seal, forming half-moon shaped calzones.
- Step 4: In a small bowl, combine 3 tbsp melted unsalted butter, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp dried Italian herbs, and 1/4 tsp salt.
- Step 5: Brush each calzone generously with the garlic herb butter mixture. Place on the baking sheet and bake for 15-18 minutes until golden brown and puffed.
- Step 6: Remove from oven, let cool 5 minutes, then serve warm with extra pizza sauce for dipping.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Pepperoni and Mozzarella Calzones with Garlic Herb Butter take to make?
Total time is about 38 minutes (20 min prep + 18 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Baked Pepperoni and Mozzarella Calzones with Garlic Herb Butter?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pizza dough from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Pepperoni and Mozzarella Calzones with Garlic Herb Butter?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked Pepperoni and Mozzarella Calzones with Garlic Herb Butter for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Baked Pepperoni and Mozzarella Calzones with Garlic Herb Butter?
Italian pizza like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
