Calzones

Ingredients:

• 1 full homemade recipe of pizza crust* or 1 loaf (1 lb.) frozen white bread dough
• 1/2 lb. Italian sausage, crumbled
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
• 1/2 tsp. basil
• 1/2 tsp. oregano
• 1/2 cup cottage cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
• 2 tbsp. grates Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg, slightly beaten

Directions:

1. If using frozen dough, loosely wrap frozen loaf of bread with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight to thaw. Let stand at room temperature 1 to 2 hours to soften.
2. In medium skillet, saute sausage until browned; add onion and garlic. Saute until onion is tender. Stir in tomato sauce, basil, and oregano. Simmer uncovered for 5 minutes. Cool.
3. Stir in cheeses and whole egg; mix well.
4. Punch down dough if it has started to rise. Divide dough into 8 equal pieces. Form each in a flattened ball. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each into 6-inch circle. Place 1/3 cup of filling on half of each round. Fold other half over filling, flattening down a bit as you go and pinch edges together. Press edges with floured fork tines to seal.
5. Place on greased baking sheets and brush with olive oil.
6. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown at 450°F.

Submitted by Sue and Bill Stoecker

*NOTE: Sue used Ree Drummond's Pizza Crust recipe, which can be found at The Pioneer Woman or in the book The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl.

Drummond, Ree. "Pizza Crust." The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl. New York: William Morrow, 2009. Print.