Pioneer Woman's Cowboy Calzones

Chef SuzyQ's Note:

One day, I stumbled across one of the best food blogs I've ever found. Pioneer Woman is FUNNY, a great photographer, and one amazing cook! Try this one--you won't be disappointed!

• Total Time: 1 hrs
• Prep Time: 45 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 8

Yield: 8.0 Calzones

Pizza Dough

• 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

Calzone Filling

• 1/2 lb breakfast sausage
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 diced onion
• 8 ounces rotel
• 8 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated monterey jack cheese
• 1 egg, beaten
• salt and pepper

Directions:

1. For Pizza Dough:.
2. Pour 1 1/2 cups warm water in a bowl and sprinkle in yeast.
3. Combine the flour and salt in a mixing bowl.
4. With an electric mixer on low speed, drizzle in olive oil until combined.
5. Add water and yeast mixture slowly until ball forms.
6. Let it rise for 1 to 2 hours or can be refrigerated for 2 days.
7. To Make Calzones:.
8. Preheat oven to 450.
9. In a large skillet brown ground beef, sausage and onion over medium heat. Drain excess grease.
10. Add Rotel and cook for 2 minutes remove from heat and let cool slightly.
11. Combine ricotta, mozzarella, monterey jack, and egg in a bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste.
12. Combine cheese mixture with meat mixture.
13. Divide dough into 8 equal balls. Roll into 6 inch circles.
14. Place one-eighth of the mixture in the middle of each circle.
15. Fold one half of the circle over and pinch the edges to seal. Brush with olive oil.
16. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes.