Spinach and Vegetable Calzones

Feeling some hearty Italian food with a healthy twist? Try this Spinach and Vegetable Calzone for your next round of cooking.  Get in the kitchen and get those hands to work with this fun recipe.

Stuff your calzone with as many vegetables as you would like.  Try to use the veggies you have on hand or the best in season.  You can use spinach, onion, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, mushrooms, or anything else you want! It is recommended that half of your plate should be filled with vegetables and recipes like this are an excellent way to get that fix.  Plus, veggies offer vitamins, minerals, and fiber that we need to keep our cells functioning properly.  Ricotta cheese also does not get quite enough credit.  Ricotta can be a great, high protein cheese option.  Try to get a part-skim version for all that protein with less fat.

Begin by preheating the oven to 400F degrees.  Saute those veggies in olive oil.  Add in your chopped garlic and basil toward the end to make sure you get the most flavor.  Season the veggies with Italian herbs like basil, oregano, and garlic powder.  Use a rolling pin to roll the dough into multiple squares or circles about 8 inches in diameter.  Spread one tablespoon of tomato paste over each piece of dough and then fill each calzone with one cup of veggies and cheese. Fold the top of the calzone crust over the bottom into a half-moon shape. Poke small holes in the top of the calzone with a fork to ventilate.  Brush the top of each calzone with olive oil.  Place a layer of foil over a baking sheet and grease with olive oil.  Place the calzones on the baking sheet and cook for 15-20 minutes or until the crust is brown.

Have you ever made your own calzones? Tell us what veggies you chose in the comments below!