Cheap Pizza Calzones A Budget Friendly Favorite
Last Tuesday, I watched my grocery bill climb higher and higher at checkout, and my heart sank a little. Between Mateo and me feeding two teenage girls who eat like professional athletes, stretching our food budget feels like an Olympic sport some weeks. That evening, as I stared at our pantry staples—flour, sauce, a bit of cheese—inspiration struck.
I called the girls into the kitchen and announced we’d make Cheap Pizza Calzones A Budget Friendly Favorite together. Their eyes lit up instantly. Within an hour, we’d transformed less than $10 worth of ingredients into a feast that had everyone asking for seconds.
The best part? My 19-year-old declared these homemade pockets of cheesy goodness better than any restaurant version she’d ever tried.
These calzones have since become our go-to solution whenever money feels tight or we simply need comfort food that doesn’t drain our wallet. Furthermore, they’re endlessly customizable, making them perfect for using up whatever leftovers hide in the back of your fridge. Mateo often jokes that these cheap pizza calzones represent everything we believe about cooking: simple ingredients, big flavor, and lots of love folded right inside.
Why You’ll Love These Budget-Friendly Calzones
These Cheap Pizza Calzones A Budget Friendly Favorite deliver exactly what busy families need. First, they cost a fraction of takeout prices. Additionally, you probably already have most ingredients sitting in your pantry right now. Moreover, kids absolutely adore them, which means no dinner battles at the table.
Making these cheap pizza calzones takes about 30 minutes from start to finish. Consequently, they work perfectly for hectic weeknights when everyone’s starving and patience runs thin. Meanwhile, the recipe easily doubles or triples for meal prep, giving you quick lunches or dinners throughout the week.
The versatility of these budget-friendly calzones truly shines through. Indeed, my 15-year-old daughter makes vegetarian versions while my husband sneaks in extra pepperoni. Each family member creates their perfect pocket of pizza heaven. Furthermore, these cheap pizza calzones freeze beautifully, so you’re essentially creating your own convenience food without the convenience store markup.
Best of all, these Cheap Pizza Calzones A Budget Friendly Favorite make you feel like a kitchen hero. Your family sees hot, golden, crispy pockets oozing with melted cheese, and suddenly you’re the star of dinner time. Nevertheless, only you know how incredibly simple and affordable they actually were to create.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering ingredients for these cheap pizza calzones couldn’t be simpler. In fact, I keep these staples stocked specifically because this recipe saves us so often. Here’s everything you need to create these budget-friendly calzones:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pizza dough | 1 pound | Store-bought or homemade |
| Pizza sauce | 1 cup | Jarred marinara works great |
| Mozzarella cheese | 2 cups shredded | Part-skim saves money |
| Pepperoni | 1/2 cup | Optional but recommended |
| Italian seasoning | 1 teaspoon | Dried herbs work perfectly |
| Garlic powder | 1/2 teaspoon | Adds great flavor depth |
| Olive oil | 2 tablespoons | For brushing tops |
| Parmesan cheese | 2 tablespoons | Optional finishing touch |
The beauty of these Cheap Pizza Calzones A Budget Friendly Favorite lies in their simplicity. Mateo always reminds me that the best food doesn’t require fancy ingredients. Instead, it requires heart and attention to technique.
Substitutions & Variations
These cheap pizza calzones adapt wonderfully to whatever you have available. Therefore, don’t stress if your pantry doesn’t match my ingredient list exactly. Let me share variations we’ve tested successfully in our kitchen.
For the dough, store-bought refrigerated pizza dough works beautifully and costs just a couple dollars. However, homemade dough costs even less if you have time. Alternatively, use thawed frozen bread dough in a pinch. Some nights, I’ve even used biscuit dough when desperate, and while different, those budget-friendly calzones still disappeared quickly.
Regarding cheese, mozzarella shines here, but mix in whatever cheese needs using. Cheddar, provolone, or Monterey Jack all work wonderfully. Similarly, skip the pepperoni entirely for vegetarian cheap pizza calzones.
Instead, add diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach. My daughters often request broccoli and ricotta versions.
The sauce offers flexibility too. Pizza sauce, marinara, or even spaghetti sauce all deliver delicious results. Furthermore, you can serve extra sauce on the side for dipping, which kids especially love. Sometimes Mateo makes quick sauce from tomato paste, water, and Italian seasoning when we’re completely out.
For protein variations in these Cheap Pizza Calzones A Budget Friendly Favorite, consider cooked ground beef, Italian sausage, diced ham, or shredded rotisserie chicken. Consequently, these become perfect vehicles for using leftover proteins from previous meals.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making these cheap pizza calzones follows a straightforward process. Nevertheless, I’ll walk you through each step exactly how I teach my girls. First, preheat your oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Next, divide your pizza dough into four equal portions. Then, roll each portion into a circle about 6-7 inches across. Don’t worry about perfect circles—rustic shapes add homemade charm to these budget-friendly calzones.
Now comes the fun part. Spread about 2 tablespoons of pizza sauce on half of each dough circle, leaving a border around the edge. Subsequently, sprinkle cheese generously over the sauce.
Add your pepperoni or other fillings on top. Remember, don’t overfill these cheap pizza calzones, or they’ll burst during baking.
Afterward, fold the empty half over the filled half, creating a half-moon shape. Press the edges together firmly, then crimp with a fork to seal completely. This sealing step is crucial for keeping all that cheesy goodness inside your Cheap Pizza Calzones A Budget Friendly Favorite.
Transfer each calzone to your prepared baking sheet. Next, cut two small slits in the top of each one to allow steam to escape. Brush the tops with olive oil and sprinkle with Italian seasoning and Parmesan cheese if using.
Finally, bake for 15-18 minutes until golden brown and crispy. The cheese should be bubbling through those steam vents. Let them cool for 5 minutes before serving—trust me, molten cheese burns are no joke! Mateo learned this lesson the hard way.
Making these cheap pizza calzones follows a straightforward process. For a delightful twist, consider trying a cranberry goat cheese flatbread recipe that pairs wonderfully with these calzones. Check it out here.
Pro Tips for Success
After making hundreds of these cheap pizza calzones, I’ve gathered wisdom worth sharing. These tips ensure your budget-friendly calzones turn out perfect every single time.
First, don’t skip rolling the dough thin enough. Thick dough creates doughy, undercooked centers. Instead, aim for about 1/4-inch thickness. Moreover, let refrigerated dough sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before rolling—it cooperates much better.
Second, seal those edges meticulously. Consequently, use water on your fingertip to moisten the dough edges before folding. This creates better adhesion.
Then, press firmly and crimp with fork tines. Unsealed cheap pizza calzones leak cheese everywhere, creating both a mess and disappointment.
Third, resist overfilling these Cheap Pizza Calzones A Budget Friendly Favorite. Less truly is more here. Overstuffed calzones burst open or cook unevenly. Therefore, use about 1/4 cup total filling per calzone maximum.
Additionally, brush oil on top generously. This step creates that beautiful golden-brown crust everyone loves. Furthermore, the oil helps seasonings stick and adds incredible flavor to your budget-friendly calzones.
Finally, watch your oven temperature carefully. Every oven differs slightly. Check your cheap pizza calzones at 15 minutes.
They should look deeply golden, not pale. However, if they’re browning too quickly, reduce temperature to 400°F.
Storage & Reheating Tips
These Cheap Pizza Calzones A Budget Friendly Favorite store remarkably well, making them perfect for meal prep. Indeed, I often double batches specifically for future quick meals.
For short-term storage, let your cheap pizza calzones cool completely first. Then, wrap each one individually in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Subsequently, reheat in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes until warmed through.
For longer storage, these budget-friendly calzones freeze beautifully. Wrap cooled calzones tightly in plastic wrap, then again in foil. Alternatively, use freezer bags.
They’ll keep frozen for up to 3 months. Label them with the date—trust me, frozen food mystery packages are frustrating.
To reheat frozen cheap pizza calzones, you have two options. First, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat as directed above. Second, bake directly from frozen at 375°F for 25-30 minutes. Cover with foil initially to prevent over-browning.
Avoid microwaving if possible. While convenient, microwaves make these Cheap Pizza Calzones A Budget Friendly Favorite soggy rather than crispy. However, if you must microwave, heat for 1-2 minutes, then crisp in a hot skillet for a minute per side.
These Cheap Pizza Calzones A Budget Friendly Favorite store remarkably well, making them perfect for meal prep. If you’re looking for a sweet treat to complement your meal prep, try making some cotton candy bites for dessert here.
What to Serve With This Recipe
These cheap pizza calzones make a complete meal themselves, but sides elevate dinner wonderfully. Moreover, sides help stretch the meal further when feeding hungry teenagers like mine.
First, a simple side salad perfectly complements these budget-friendly calzones. Toss mixed greens with Italian dressing, and suddenly you’ve got a balanced meal. Furthermore, the fresh, crisp salad contrasts beautifully with the rich, warm calzones.
Second, consider roasted vegetables. Whatever’s on sale works great—broccoli, zucchini, bell peppers. Toss with olive oil and roast while your Cheap Pizza Calzones A Budget Friendly Favorite bake. Consequently, everything finishes simultaneously.
Third, garlic bread seems redundant but is absolutely delicious alongside these cheap pizza calzones. Mateo makes simple garlic toast from leftover bread, butter, and garlic powder. The kids devour it every time.
Additionally, soup makes a comforting pairing during colder months. Tomato soup especially complements these budget-friendly calzones wonderfully. Moreover, soup stretches your meal budget even further.
Finally, don’t forget extra marinara for dipping. Even though sauce is inside the calzones, dunking them in warm marinara takes these Cheap Pizza Calzones A Budget Friendly Favorite to another level. My 15-year-old insists on this.
FAQs
Can I make pizza calzones ahead of time?
Absolutely! These cheap pizza calzones work beautifully for advance preparation. Assemble them completely, then refrigerate unbaked for up to 24 hours.
When ready, bake as directed, adding 2-3 extra minutes to the cooking time. Alternatively, freeze unbaked calzones and bake directly from frozen at 400°F for 20-25 minutes.
Why do my calzones get soggy?
Soggy budget-friendly calzones usually result from too much sauce or undercooked dough. Use sauce sparingly—just 2 tablespoons per calzone. Additionally, ensure your oven reaches full temperature before baking. Finally, those steam vents on top are essential for releasing moisture during cooking.
Can I use store-bought dough for calzones?
Definitely! Store-bought dough makes these Cheap Pizza Calzones A Budget Friendly Favorite even more budget-friendly and convenient. Refrigerated pizza dough from the grocery store works perfectly.
Similarly, frozen bread dough or even biscuit dough can substitute successfully. Let refrigerated dough warm slightly before rolling for easier handling.
How do I prevent calzones from opening while baking?
Proper sealing prevents your cheap pizza calzones from bursting open. First, avoid overfilling them—less is truly more. Second, moisten the dough edges with water before sealing.
Third, press edges firmly together, then crimp thoroughly with a fork. Finally, cut steam vents on top to release pressure safely.
What’s the best cheese for calzones?
Mozzarella reigns supreme for these budget-friendly calzones because it melts beautifully and stretches wonderfully. Part-skim mozzarella costs less than whole milk varieties. However, mixing in other cheeses like provolone, cheddar, or Parmesan adds flavor depth to your Cheap Pizza Calzones A Budget Friendly Favorite without significantly increasing cost.
Nutrition Information (per serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 385 |
| Total Fat | 14g |
| Saturated Fat | 6g |
| Cholesterol | 32mg |
| Sodium | 890mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 44g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2g |
| Sugars | 3g |
| Protein | 18g |
These Cheap Pizza Calzones A Budget Friendly Favorite deliver solid nutrition along with great taste. Each serving provides substantial protein from cheese and pepperoni. Meanwhile, the carbohydrates offer energy for active families. Consider adding vegetables to boost fiber and vitamin content while keeping these budget-friendly calzones affordable.
Ultimately, these cheap pizza calzones represent everything Mateo and I believe about feeding our family well. They prove that limited budgets don’t mean limited flavor or satisfaction. Rather, they challenge us to be creative, resourceful, and intentional with our ingredients.
Every time I pull these golden pockets from the oven, I’m reminded that love truly is the most important ingredient. These Cheap Pizza Calzones A Budget Friendly Favorite bring our family together around the table, creating memories that matter far more than any price tag.
Cheap Pizza Calzones A Budget Friendly Favorite
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Divide your pizza dough into four equal portions and roll each into a circle about 6-7 inches across.
- Spread about 2 tablespoons of pizza sauce on half of each dough circle, leaving a border around the edge.
- Sprinkle cheese generously over the sauce and add pepperoni or other fillings on top.
- Fold the empty half over the filled half, press the edges together firmly, and crimp with a fork to seal.
- Transfer each calzone to the prepared baking sheet, cut two small slits in the top, brush with olive oil, and sprinkle with Italian seasoning and Parmesan cheese if using.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
These Cheap Pizza Calzones A Budget Friendly Favorite deliver exactly what busy families need. For another hearty meal option that your family will love, check out this biscuits gravy casserole recipe here.
Calzones are a type of Italian oven-baked folded pizza that can be filled with a variety of ingredients, making them a versatile and budget-friendly meal option. They are often enjoyed as a quick snack or a hearty meal, perfect for families looking to save money while enjoying delicious food. Learn more about calzones here.
