This was the first time I’ve made calzones, and they were a hit. Basically if you know how to make a pizza, you can make a calzone. I bought pre-made whole wheat pizza dough and used it to make 4 calzones, so it’s about two pieces of pizza each. It’s a great way to get a lot of vegetables in and I had leftover cooked lentils so I decided to throw them in the mix too for some extra protein, but usually I use tempeh. I tried not to use very much vegan cheese, but you can use the amount you’d like. They made the perfect Friday night meal and I made a big side salad as well. Also, you have to serve a calzone with a side of warm marinara sauce, my favorite is Rao’s. I’ll definitely be making them again soon!

Vegetable and Lentil Calzones

serves 4

1 ball of pre-made whole wheat pizza dough

1 jar of marinara sauce

1 bag of spinach

8 oz button mushrooms, sliced

8 oz cooked lentils

1 large yellow onion, diced,

1/2 red bell pepper, diced

1 tbsp minced garlic

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

1/2 cup So Delicious “mozzarella” shreds

vegan parmesan

1 tsp olive oil

1 tsp fennel seed

1 tbsp Italian seasoning

salt and pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven to 450* and heat oil in a large skillet.
2. Add onions, peppers, mushrooms, and garlic to the oil and cook until tender.
3. Add lentils, spinach, fennel seed, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning and cook until spinach is wilted and then add salt and pepper to taste.
4. On a floured surface, cut the dough into 4 equal balls and roll each one out until about 1/4 inch thin. Add them to a large baking sheet.
5. Use about a tbsp of marinara and add to half of each dough round.
6. Top with a few tbsp of the veggie/lentil mixture to half of each one.
7. Sprinkle with a little bit of vegan mozzarella shreds and vegan parmesan.
8. Pull the empty half over the filled half and press the edges together until sealed, and then fold the seal over and press closed again.
9. Brush with olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt and Italian seasoning.
10. Bake about 15-20 minutes until golden brown and serve with warm marinara sauce.