Italian Recipes - Hero Calzones

Ingredients     

• 2 tablespoons cornmeal

• 1/3 cup snipped oil-packed dried tomatoes

• 1 cup chopped cooked meat (such as smoked turkey, smoked sausage, cooked chicken, ham, and/or pepperoni)

• 1/3 cup chopped pitted ripe olives

• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (6 ounces)

• 1 13.8-ounce package refrigerated pizza dough

• Finely shredded or grated Parmesan cheese

• Cayenne pepper (optional)

• Purchased pizza or pasta sauce, warmed

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Method:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Lightly grease a large baking sheet and sprinkle with cornmeal; set aside. Drain dried tomatoes well, reserving oil; set aside.

2. In a medium bowl combine cooked meat, olives, and tomatoes. Stir in mozzarella cheese. Unroll pizza dough.

3. On a lightly floured surface, roll or stretch pizza dough to a 14-inch square. Cut dough into four 7-inch squares.

4. Divide meat mixture among squares, positioning it on one half of each square. Brush dough edges with water. Fold dough over filling to form rectangles or triangles, stretching dough as needed. Seal edges by pressing with the tines of a fork.

5. Place calzones on prepared baking sheet. Brush tops with reserved oil; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and, if desired, cayenne pepper.

6. Bake about 15 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm with warmed pizza sauce.