Spicy Sausage, Spinach and Ricotta Calzones
Date nights for us look a little different in 2020. Gone are the days of going out for fancy dinners and movie theaters. 2020 date nights have been all about car picnics, regular picnics, game nights and make-your-own-sushi nights, and I’m here for it!
Even though date nights look a little different, one thing has remained constant: date nights are always centered on good food. Whether it’s fancy surf and turf or casual homemade pizza nights, date nights always include good food to enjoy with each other. Because isn’t that what love is all about?!
My new favorite date night meal is these spicy sausage, spinach and ricotta calzones. If you’re a fan of pizzas and/or handheld food objects, then this recipe is for you! I’m obsessed with not only how easy these were to throw together but how insanely delicious they were. Spicy Italian sausage pairs with earthy spinach, creamy ricotta and four cheese blend and is all nestled in a perfect, pizza dough pocket.
Arguably the best part is getting interactive by dipping these calzones in as much marinara sauce as your heart desires! Pro tip: get yourself some Raos’ marinara because it is quite literally better (and easier) than homemade. Just do it!
Whether it’s date night with your SO or yourself, these calzones are sure to please. All you need is a good bottle of red wine, a good movie and you’re good to go!
Spicy Sausage, Spinach and Ricotta Calzones
Ingredients
3 Hot Italian sausage links
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 large handful fresh spinach leaves (about 2 cups)
1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
1/4 cup shredded four cheese blend or mozzarella cheese
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 egg
1 store-bought pizza dough, room temperature
2 tablespoons extra virgin-olive oil
1 teaspoon course sea salt or Kosher salt
2 cups marinara, like Rao’s
Grated Parmesan, for serving
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Meanwhile, cook sausage and garlic in a skillet over medium-high heat until sausage is cooked through. Add spinach and sauté for 1-2 minutes until spinach is wilted. Remove from heat and set aside.
Combine ricotta, mozzarella or four cheese blend, egg and Italian seasoning together in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
To make calzones divide dough into four portions. Roll 1 portion into an 8-inch circle on a floured surface. Spread approximately 1/3 cup ricotta mixture in center bottom half of dough. Top with heaping 1/3 cup sausage spinach mixture leaving outer 1/2-inch free of filling. Fold top half of dough over filling. Pull edge of lower crust over top; folding and pressing layers together to form a seal.
Carefully transfer to greased baking sheet. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Cut 3 to 4 vents in top. Repeat with remaining dough.
Bake for 25-30 minutes until lightly browned. Transfer to cooling rack to keep bottom crust crisp while cooling slightly. Grate Parmesan over the top and serve with warmed marinara sauce.
