Chef John's Ham and Cheese Calzones
Golden-brown calzones filled with salty prosciutto, smoky diced ham, and a lush mix of ricotta and mozzarella deliver a melty, pepper-kissed bite. A touch of cayenne and Parmigiano-Reggiano adds warmth and savor, while a crisp crust gives way to a soft, cheesy center. Chef John's Ham and Cheese Calzones are perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or a game-day spread with warm marinara for dipping.
- Prep20 mins
- Cook15 mins
- Serves4
- DifficultyMedium
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Chef John's Ham and Cheese Calzones, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 50 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 14 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityFair
- 58 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Processed Culinary Ingredients
- 2 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 22
- Heart Health
- 45
- Metabolic
- 41
- Digestive
- 26
- Inflammatory
- 43
- Performance
- 38
- General Wellness
- 1
Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F (260 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- 2
Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces; shape each into a ball. On a lightly floured surface, press each ball into a flat round and roll it into an 8- or 9-inch circle.
- 3
Lay 2 prosciutto slices on one half of each dough circle, leaving a 1-inch border. Spoon ricotta cheese over the prosciutto. Season with a pinch of salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. Add chopped ham, mozzarella slices, and a drizzle of olive oil on top.
- 4
Dampen the dough edge with a little water using your fingertip. Fold the empty half of the dough over the filling and press lightly to seal the edges. Crimp the edges to seal the calzone completely.
- 5
Sprinkle the lined baking sheet with cornmeal. Move the calzones onto the baking sheet. Using the tip of a knife, cut several small slits in the top crust to vent.
- 6
Beat the egg with water to make an egg wash. Brush the calzones with the egg wash. Dust with grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Clear away any excess cornmeal and grated cheese around the calzones to prevent smoke in the hot oven.
- 7
Bake in the preheated oven until browned, about 15 minutes. Let cool for 15 minutes before serving. Serve with heated marinara sauce for dipping.
- Calories 836.21 kcal High 42%
- Protein 46.18 g Good Source 92%
- Carbohydrate 101.61 g 37%
- Total Fat 27.15 g High 35%
- Saturated Fat 10.7 g High 54%
- Trans Fat 0.21 g High --
- Cholesterol 166.81 mg High 56%
- Sodium 2288.13 mg High 99%
- Dietary Fiber 5.66 g Good Source 20%
- Total Sugars 12.6 g --
- Added Sugars 3.14 g Moderate 6%
- Calcium 336.34 mg Good Source 26%
- Iron 6.68 mg Good Source 37%
- Potassium 540.64 mg Moderate 12%
- Vitamin A 142.49 mcg Moderate 16%
- Vitamin C 2.42 mg Low Source 3%
- Vitamin D 0.36 mcg Low Source 2%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Eggs 🥚
- Milk 🥛
- Wheat 🌾
- Gluten
- Corn 🌽
- Tomatoes 🍅
About This Recipe
Chef John's Ham and Cheese Calzones is made with 14 ingredients and serves 4. It takes about 35 mins and is rated medium. Key ingredients include Black Pepper, Cayenne Pepper, Cornmeal, and Diced Ham. Each serving provides about 836.21 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Chef John's Ham and Cheese Calzones made of?
- The main ingredients are Black Pepper, Cayenne Pepper, Cornmeal, Diced Ham, Eggs. The full list of 14 is above.
- How long does it take to make Chef John's Ham and Cheese Calzones?
- About 35 mins in total: 20 mins to prepare and 15 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 836.21 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Chef John's Ham and Cheese Calzones easy to make?
- This recipe is rated medium, with 14 ingredients and 7 steps.
- Is Chef John's Ham and Cheese Calzones healthy?
- Chef John's Ham and Cheese Calzones has an easyChef Pro health score of 41/100. Per serving, it provides 836.21 calories and 46.18 g of protein, or 92% of the Daily Value. It is a good source of dietary fiber, calcium and iron. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 2288.13 mg (99% of the Daily Value), saturated fat at 10.7 g (54% of the Daily Value) and added sugars at 3.14 g (6% of the Daily Value). It contains Eggs, Milk, Wheat, Gluten, Corn and Tomatoes, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
How easyChef Pro scores recipes and products
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The calculation evaluates nutrients, calorie density, processing level, and how well the food supports your selected health goal. Protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and other beneficial nutrients can strengthen the score. High amounts of sodium, saturated fat, added sugar and other nutrients may lower it.
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