Oven-Baked Calzone with Italian Sausage and Spinach

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

A savory calzone filled with Italian sausage, fresh spinach, and a blend of mozzarella and ricotta cheeses baked to golden perfection. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 40 minutes pairs pizza dough, casing removed Italian sausage, roughly chopped fresh spinach for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, 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: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a skillet over medium heat, warm 1 tbsp olive oil and add 8 oz Italian sausage, breaking it into small pieces with a spatula; cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Add 2 cloves minced garlic and 2 cups chopped fresh spinach, sauté for 2 minutes until spinach wilts; season with 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes if using, then remove from heat.
  2. Step 2: On a floured surface, roll out 1 lb pizza dough into a 12-inch circle. Spoon the sausage-spinach mixture evenly onto one half of the dough, then top with 1 cup shredded mozzarella and 1/2 cup ricotta cheese. Fold the other half over and crimp the edges to seal tightly.
  3. Step 3: Transfer the calzone to the prepared baking sheet and brush the top lightly with olive oil. Bake for 18-22 minutes until the crust is golden brown and crisp. Let cool for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve warm with 1/2 cup marinara sauce for dipping.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Oven-Baked Calzone with Italian Sausage and Spinach take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Oven-Baked Calzone with Italian Sausage and Spinach?

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 Oven-Baked Calzone with Italian Sausage and Spinach?

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 Oven-Baked Calzone with Italian Sausage and Spinach for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Oven-Baked Calzone with Italian Sausage and Spinach?

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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