Best 6 Unbelievable Spinach Calzones Recipes

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Indulge in the culinary delight of spinach calzones, a delectable combination of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds. These oven-baked pockets of goodness are crafted with a soft and chewy pizza dough, generously filled with a vibrant mixture of fresh spinach, savory ricotta cheese, and a symphony of aromatic herbs. Each bite offers a delightful contrast between the crispy crust and the tender, flavorful filling, making these calzones the perfect meal or snack for any occasion.

In this comprehensive guide, we present three enticing spinach calzone recipes that cater to a range of dietary preferences. The classic spinach calzone recipe stays true to the traditional Italian flavors, while the vegan spinach calzone offers a plant-based alternative with a creamy cashew ricotta filling. For those seeking a unique twist, the spicy spinach calzone adds a delightful kick of heat with the addition of chili flakes and jalapeños.

Whether you're a seasoned home cook or just starting your culinary journey, these recipes provide step-by-step instructions and helpful tips to ensure your spinach calzones turn out perfectly every time. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and embark on a delightful culinary adventure with our irresistible spinach calzone recipes.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

SPINACH AND THREE CHEESE CALZONE



Spinach and Three Cheese Calzone image

Provided by Tyler Florence

Categories     main-dish

Time 2h15m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

1 package rapid-rising dry yeast
3/4 cup warm water
1 tablespoon sugar
3 cups flour
1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
Egg wash
Cornmeal, for dusting
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 pound baby spinach, washed and dried
Salt and pepper
15 ounces ricotta
1 cup grated Parmesan
1/2 cup shredded fontina
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Steps:

  • For Dough: In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a dough hook, bloom the yeast by combining it with warm water and sugar. Stir gently to dissolve, then let stand 5 minutes until foam appears. Turn mixer on low and slowly add the flour, 1 cup at a time. Pour in 1/4 cup olive oil and add salt. When the dough starts to come together, increase the speed to medium. Stop the machine periodically to scrape the dough off the hook. Mix until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl, about 10 minutes.
  • Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and fold over itself a few times. Form dough into a round and place in an oiled bowl, turn to coat the entire ball with oil so it doesn't form a skin. Cover with plastic wrap or damp towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 45 minutes. Test the dough by pressing 2 fingers into it. If indents remain, the dough is adequately risen. When ready, knead the dough gently and divide in 4 balls. Sprinkle the rounds lightly with flour, cover, and let rest for 15 minutes. This will relax the dough, making it easier to stretch. In the meantime prepare filling.
  • For Calzones: Place a pizza stone in the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. If you don't have a stone, simply grease a baking pan. Roll or spread the dough discs into 10-inch circles, leave the dough slightly thick so that the filling will not ooze out. Spoon a quarter of the filling onto 1 side of the dough round and brush the outer edge with egg wash to help form a seal. Fold dough over to enclose the filling and form a large turnover. Roll up the edges with your fingers to close tightly and prevent leaking. Cut a few slashes in the top to allow steam to escape during baking and brush with egg wash. Repeat with remaining rounds. Sprinkle a pizza peel (or prepared baking pan) with cornmeal and carefully transfer the calzones. Bake directly on pizza stone for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown. Let the calzones rest 10 minutes before cutting to allow the cheese to set. Serve with basic tomato sauce if desired.
  • For Filling: In a saute pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add garlic and cook 2 minutes until lightly browned. Add the spinach, season, and continue to cook until wilted, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a colander and squeeze out the excess liquid. If necessary, drain the ricotta in a sieve to remove excess moisture also. Calzone filling should be fairly dry, because it may leak out or make the dough mushy. Combine spinach, cheeses, egg, and pepper in a large bowl.

UNBELIEVABLE SPINACH CALZONES



Unbelievable Spinach Calzones image

Delicious, satisfying, and very easy to make. My kids will even eat spinach this way! We serve them with warmed spaghetti sauce to dip them in and a salad. Yum!

Provided by Tosha Fields

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 1h30m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
2 eggs
2 tablespoons dried Italian seasoning
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
salt and pepper to taste
1 (32 ounce) package frozen white bread dough, thawed

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  • In a large bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, eggs, Italian seasoning, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese and spinach. Set aside.
  • Divide the bread dough into 8 pieces and roll each piece out to about an 8 inch circle. Spoon about 1/2 cup of the ricotta filling onto each circle, fold over and seal the edges. Place onto a greased cookie sheet.
  • Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until nicely browned on the tops and bottoms.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 584.4 calories, Carbohydrate 61.2 g, Cholesterol 101.1 mg, Fat 20.6 g, Fiber 6.1 g, Protein 35.5 g, SaturatedFat 9.5 g, Sodium 1199.5 mg, Sugar 5.7 g

SPINACH AND CHEESE MINI CALZONES RECIPE BY TASTY



Spinach And Cheese Mini Calzones Recipe by Tasty image

Here's what you need: frozen spinach, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, garlic, butter, parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, egg, water

Provided by Pierce Abernathy

Categories     Appetizers

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

16 tablespoons frozen spinach, thawed
8 tablespoons ricotta cheese
4 slices mozzarella cheese, cut in half
1 teaspoon garlic, chopped
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 tablespoon parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon fresh parsley
1 egg
1 tablespoon water

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400˚F (200˚C).
  • Cut pizza dough into 8 sections on a floured surface.
  • With one section, roll out dough until flat and circular.
  • Layer one slice mozzarella cheese, two tablespoons spinach, and 1 tablespoon ricotta.
  • Fold one side of dough up and over ingredients, and seal calzone by crimping the edges together.
  • In a small bowl, mix together melted butter, parmesan, garlic, and parsley.
  • Place calzone on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Apply egg wash to outside of calzone and brush with garlic butter.
  • Bake calzones for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 151 calories, Carbohydrate 3 grams, Fat 11 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 8 grams, Sugar 0 grams

THREE-CHEESE MUSHROOM AND SPINACH CALZONE



Three-Cheese Mushroom and Spinach Calzone image

An easy Mushroom and Spinach Calzone that includes three different cheeses!

Provided by Bon Appétit Test Kitchen

Categories     Cheese     Mushroom     Bake     Super Bowl     Vegetarian     Kid-Friendly     Quick & Easy     High Fiber     Dinner     Parmesan     Ricotta     Spinach     Bon Appétit     Sugar Conscious     Pescatarian     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     Kosher     Small Plates

Yield Makes 4-main course servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 tablespoon olive oil plus additional for brushing
1 8-ounce package sliced crimini (baby bella) mushrooms
3/4 teaspoon fennel seeds
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
4 cups (packed) baby spinach
All purpose flour (for sprinkling)
1 pound fresh pizza dough (or one 13.8-ounce tube refrigerated)
5 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1 1/2 cups grated Fontina cheese, divided
1/4 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 425°F. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and fennel seeds; sauté until mushrooms are brown, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and oregano; stir 1 minute. Add spinach; stir just until wilted, about 1 minute. Transfer to medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Line rimless baking sheet with parchment. Sprinkle paper with flour. Roll out dough on lined baking sheet to 15 x 10-inch rectangle. Sprinkle 3 tablespoons Parmesan crosswise over half of crust, leaving 1-inch plain border. Top with 3/4 cup Fontina, then mushroom mixture, distributing evenly. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons Parmesan and 3/4 cup Fontina over mushrooms. Spoon dollops of ricotta cheese over; sprinkle with crushed red pepper. Fold plain half of dough up over filling. Crimp edges tightly to seal. Brush with oil.
  • Bake calzone until puffed and brown, about 18 minutes. Brush with oil and serve.

SPINACH CALZONES



Spinach Calzones image

A tube of refrigerated pizza dough and frozen chopped spinach make these impressive appetizers a cinch. "I found the recipe in a cookbook but lightened it up," explains Prospect, Kentucky's Juliet Lodge. "They're wonderful with white wine."

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Appetizers

Time 35m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach
1-1/2 cups shredded reduced-fat Swiss cheese
1/2 cup fat-free ricotta cheese
1 green onion, sliced
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 tube (13.8 ounces) refrigerated pizza crust
1 large egg white
1 teaspoon water
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Pizza sauce, warmed, optional

Steps:

  • Cook spinach according to package directions; drain well. In a bowl, combine the spinach, Swiss cheese, ricotta cheese, onion, basil, salt, garlic powder and pepper. , Roll pizza dough into a 15x10-in. rectangle; cut into six 5-in. squares. Spoon 1/3 cup spinach mixture onto the center of each square; brush edges of dough with water. Fold one corner over filling to the opposite corner, forming a triangle. Using a fork, crimp edges to seal., Place in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan coated with cooking spray. Prick tops with a fork. Lightly beat egg white and water; brush over dough. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake at 425° for 10 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand for 5 minutes. Serve with pizza sauce if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 268 calories, Fat 11g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 27mg cholesterol, Sodium 579mg sodium, Carbohydrate 25g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 18g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

THREE-CHEESE SPINACH CALZONES



Three-Cheese Spinach Calzones image

Categories     Cheese     Bake     Super Bowl     Vegetarian     Quick & Easy     Spinach     Bon Appétit

Yield Makes 2 Servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 10-ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed, squeezed dry
3 green onions, chopped
1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1/2 cup crumbled Gorgonzola or blue cheese (about 2 ounces)
1 cup (packed) grated Fontina cheese (about 4 ounces)
All purpose flour
1 10-ounce tube refrigerated pizza dough

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 425°F. Mix spinach, onions, ricotta, Gorgonzola and then Fontina in medium bowl to blend. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Sprinkle heavy large baking sheet with flour. Unfold dough on prepared sheet. Gently stretch and/or roll dough to 11-inch square; cut in half diagonally, forming 2 triangles. Place half of filling in center of each triangle. Fold 1 side of each triangle over filling, forming 2 triangular calzones. Press edges of dough to seal. Cut 3 slits in top of each to allow steam to escape.
  • Bake calzones until golden brown, about 15 minutes; serve hot.

Tips:

  • Mise en Place: Before you start cooking, make sure you have all your ingredients and equipment ready. This will help you stay organized and avoid scrambling.
  • Use Fresh Spinach: Fresh spinach is best for this recipe, but frozen spinach can be used in a pinch. If using frozen spinach, thaw it completely and squeeze out any excess water before using.
  • Sauté the Spinach: Sautéing the spinach helps to remove excess moisture and enhance its flavor. Make sure to cook the spinach until it is just wilted, but not overcooked.
  • Use a Variety of Cheeses: The combination of mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmesan cheeses gives these calzones a delicious and complex flavor. You can also add other cheeses, such as feta or Asiago, to your liking.
  • Fold the Calzones Properly: To prevent the calzones from opening up while baking, make sure to fold them properly. Fold the dough in half over the filling, then fold the edges in to seal the calzone.
  • Bake the Calzones Until Golden Brown: Bake the calzones until they are golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. This usually takes about 15-20 minutes.

Conclusion:

These Unbelievable Spinach Calzones are a delicious and easy-to-make meal that is perfect for busy weeknights. They are also a great way to use up leftover spinach. With their flaky crust, cheesy filling, and fresh spinach flavor, these calzones are sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give these Unbelievable Spinach Calzones a try!

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