If you love caprese salad and adore pizza, then these Easy Caprese Calzones are your dream come true. They’re like little handheld pockets of Italian flavor—oozing with fresh mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, and fragrant basil, all wrapped in golden pizza dough.
Caprese calzones take everything you love about the traditional caprese combo and give it a cozy twist. Instead of serving it cold, you get warm, melted mozzarella with burst cherry tomatoes and a hint of balsamic glaze. The result? Pure comfort food bliss.
These calzones are incredibly easy to make, especially when you use store-bought pizza dough. It’s all about assembly—no advanced skills or fancy equipment needed.
They’re perfect for busy weeknights, weekend dinners, or even as a fun appetizer for parties. You can prep them in advance, pop them in the oven, and have dinner ready in under 30 minutes.
What’s great about these calzones is how versatile they are. You can add extras like roasted garlic, a smear of pesto, or even a handful of arugula for a peppery bite.
They’re also very freezer-friendly. Make a batch, freeze before baking, and pull them out whenever you need a warm, cheesy treat.
And they’re naturally vegetarian, so they’re great for meatless Mondays or feeding a crowd with diverse dietary preferences.
The key to making them perfect is not overfilling—just enough cheese and tomato to get that gooey pull without bursting open in the oven.
Pair these calzones with a simple green salad or a side of marinara for dipping, and you’ve got a satisfying meal that looks and tastes gourmet.
The crisp crust, melted cheese, and sweet tomatoes make each bite better than the last. It’s a recipe that feels indulgent but is surprisingly light.
Even kids love these calzones because they’re like little pizza pockets with a fun, fresh twist.
They also reheat well, so leftovers (if you have any) are just as good the next day.
With just a few ingredients and a little folding, you’ve got a dish that feels like it came straight from an Italian bakery.
Trust us—you’ll want to make these again and again.
Servings: 4 calzones
Time:
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15–18 minutes
- Total Time: 30–35 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 pound pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup shredded or sliced fresh mozzarella
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped or whole
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: balsamic glaze for drizzling
- Optional: marinara sauce for dipping
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Divide pizza dough into 4 equal portions. Roll each into a 6- to 7-inch circle.
- In a bowl, toss cherry tomatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- On one half of each dough circle, layer mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and basil.
- Fold dough over filling to form a half-moon shape. Press edges to seal, crimp with a fork.
- Cut a small slit on top for steam to escape. Place calzones on prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp.
- Let cool slightly, then drizzle with balsamic glaze if using. Serve with marinara.
Tips:
- Don’t overfill the calzones—too much filling can cause leaks.
- Add a bit of garlic powder or Italian seasoning to the dough for extra flavor.
- Use parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- To freeze, assemble calzones and freeze unbaked. Bake directly from frozen, adding 5–7 extra minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Combines the freshness of caprese with the coziness of baked dough
- Vegetarian, easy, and freezer-friendly
- Ideal for quick dinners, appetizers, or meal prep
- Customizable with fun add-ins
- Gooey, cheesy, tomato-basil goodness in every bite
Summary: These Easy Caprese Calzones are packed with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil, all wrapped in golden pizza dough. A cozy twist on a classic Italian combo, ready in just 30 minutes.
