Calzone Folded Pizza with Ricotta, Spinach, and Pancetta

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A folded Italian pizza stuffed with creamy ricotta, sautéed spinach, and crispy pancetta for a rich and satisfying meal. This Italian-inspired pizza recipe, ready in about 43 minutes, pairs pizza dough, ricotta cheese, fresh spinach leaves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 700 calories and feeds 2, 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.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 18 min Serves 2 Italian cuisine 700 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C). Heat 1 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 minced garlic clove and 75 g diced pancetta, cooking for 4 minutes until pancetta is crisp and garlic fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Add 100 g fresh spinach leaves to the skillet and sauté for 2 minutes until wilted. Remove from heat and season with 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/8 tsp crushed red pepper flakes. Let cool slightly.
  3. Step 3: In a bowl, combine the sautéed spinach and pancetta mixture with 150 g ricotta cheese and 100 g shredded mozzarella.
  4. Step 4: Roll out 300 g pizza dough into a 12-inch circle. Spoon the ricotta-spinach-pancetta filling onto one half of the dough, leaving a 1-inch border.
  5. Step 5: Fold the dough over the filling and crimp the edges to seal. Place the calzone on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  6. Step 6: Brush the top with 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil and bake for 15-18 minutes until golden and puffed.
  7. Step 7: Let cool for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Calzone Folded Pizza with Ricotta, Spinach, and Pancetta take to make?

Total time is about 43 minutes (25 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 Calzone Folded Pizza with Ricotta, Spinach, and Pancetta?

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 Calzone Folded Pizza with Ricotta, Spinach, and Pancetta?

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 Calzone Folded Pizza with Ricotta, Spinach, and Pancetta for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Calzone Folded Pizza with Ricotta, Spinach, and Pancetta?

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.

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