Golden-baked calzones filled with seasoned ground turkey, rich marinara sauce, and melty cheddar cheese—sealed in soft, fluffy dough and finished with bubbling mozzarella. These savory hand pies are perfect for a comforting dinner or a delicious lunch on the go. Made entirely from scratch, they bring the flavor of an Italian pizzeria straight to your kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- A fun, homemade alternative to pizza or sandwiches
- Cheesy, savory filling wrapped in golden, tender dough
- Perfect for meal prep, lunchboxes, or casual dinners
- Easily customizable with your favorite fillings or cheese blends
- Freezer-friendly for make-ahead meals
- Great way to use ground turkey in a comforting dish
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Dough:
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
For the Filling:
- 1/2 lb ground turkey
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
For Assembly:
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
Directions
- Make the Dough:
In a mixing bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
Add flour, salt, and olive oil. Mix and knead into a smooth, elastic dough. Cover and let rise for 1 hour. - Prepare the Filling:
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground turkey until no longer pink.
Stir in garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and marinara sauce. Simmer for 5–7 minutes.
Remove from heat and let cool slightly before stirring in the shredded cheddar cheese. - Assemble the Calzones:
Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a small circle.
Spoon the filling onto one half of each circle, leaving space at the edges. Fold over and pinch the edges to seal.
Place calzones on a parchment-lined baking sheet. - Bake:
Brush the tops with beaten egg. Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until golden brown.
Remove from oven and sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Return to oven for 2–3 more minutes until melted.
Let cool slightly before serving.
Servings and timing
- Servings: 4 calzones
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cooking Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes (plus rise time)
- Calories: 390 kcal per calzone
Variations
- Spicy Kick: Add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños to the filling.
- Different Cheese: Swap cheddar for provolone, mozzarella, or pepper jack.
- Vegetarian: Replace turkey with sautéed mushrooms, spinach, and ricotta.
- Herbed Dough: Mix Italian herbs directly into the dough for extra flavor.
- Mini Calzones: Divide dough into smaller portions for party-sized bites.
Storage/reheating
- Storage: Refrigerate cooled calzones in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Freeze unbaked or baked calzones individually. For baked, cool completely and wrap tightly before freezing.
- Reheating: Reheat in a 375°F (190°C) oven for 8–10 minutes. Avoid microwaving to preserve crust texture.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought pizza dough?
Yes, store-bought dough works well and reduces prep time.
Can I make these calzones ahead?
Yes, you can prep and refrigerate or freeze them. Bake fresh for best texture.
What’s the best way to seal calzones?
Fold the dough over and press the edges firmly with your fingers or a fork.
Can I use ground beef or sausage instead of turkey?
Absolutely. Just drain excess fat before adding the sauce.
How do I keep calzones from bursting open?
Avoid overfilling and ensure the edges are sealed tightly.
Can I add veggies to the filling?
Yes. Sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers make great additions.
What kind of marinara works best?
Use a thick, well-seasoned sauce—either homemade or store-bought.
Can I cook calzones in an air fryer?
Yes. Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 10–12 minutes until golden.
How do I know when they’re done?
The crust should be golden brown and firm, and cheese should be bubbly.
Is the egg wash necessary?
It gives the crust a beautiful golden color, but you can skip it if desired.
Conclusion
Turkey & Cheddar Marinara Calzones are the ultimate savory comfort food—crispy on the outside, melty and flavorful on the inside. Whether you’re planning a weeknight dinner, lunchbox meal, or party snack, these homemade calzones offer a satisfying twist on classic Italian flavors. Make a batch to enjoy fresh or freeze for future cravings.
Turkey & Cheddar Marinara Calzones
Golden-baked calzones filled with seasoned ground turkey, rich marinara sauce, and melty cheddar cheese—sealed in fluffy dough and topped with a final layer of bubbling mozzarella for the ultimate savory hand pie.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes (plus rise time)
- Yield: 4 calzones 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
- For the Dough:
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- For the Filling:
- 1/2 lb ground turkey
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- For Assembly:
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Make the Dough: In a bowl, combine yeast, sugar, and warm water. Let it sit 5–10 minutes until foamy. Add flour, salt, and olive oil. Knead into a smooth dough, cover, and let rise for 1 hour.
- Prepare the Filling: Brown the ground turkey in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and marinara sauce. Simmer for 5–7 minutes. Let cool slightly, then stir in cheddar cheese.
- Assemble Calzones: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Divide dough into 4 equal balls. Roll each into a small circle. Spoon filling onto one half, fold over, and pinch edges to seal.
- Place calzones on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Brush tops with beaten egg and bake for 15–18 minutes until golden.
- Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top and return to oven for 2–3 more minutes until melted.
- Cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use store-bought pizza dough for a quicker version.
- Substitute ground turkey with chicken or plant-based crumbles.
- Add sautéed onions or bell peppers for extra flavor and texture.
- Calzones can be frozen before baking for easy future meals.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 calzone
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 640mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 85mg