Cheesy Ham and Broccoli Calzone Recipe
When I saw this recipe for Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Calzones I knew I wanted to make a version of them as a recipe for using leftover Easter ham. I love gooey cheddar cheese with ham. Even better stuffed inside a crust.
Growing up eating ham for Easter was a tradition that I always looked forward to. It never occurred to me that other families might not have this same tradition, because as long as I can remember we always had Easter ham in the spring.
Imagine my surprise after Eric and I married when I found out that he didn’t really like ham all that much and this wasn’t a tradition from his childhood. What was I supposed to make for dinner on Easter now?
Incidentally, I thought that Eric’s favorite food was broccoli until a couple years ago. He told me that once while we were dating and I’ve been making broccoli ever since. Turns out that was just a joke. He doesn’t hate it, but it’s certainly not his favorite.
I have only made ham three or four times in the almost 9 years that we have been married. Eric always eats it without complaint, but I know it isn’t his favorite – especially because they are often large and our family is small. That means lots of leftovers.
Usually I dice up any leftover Easter ham and freeze it for use later. It’s nice to have on hand for omelets or other simple dishes. This Cheesy Ham and Broccoli Calzone recipe was perfect for using up leftovers!
I love the gooey cheese that oozes out when you bite into the calzone. Ham and cheese always go hand in hand as do broccoli and cheese. I’ll be honest – even though there is nothing fancy about these calzones, I thought they were so yummy and comforting that I ate two for lunch.
I tested one after it came out of the oven, then photographed another and since I cut it open for the picture I figured that I might as well eat it so the cheese wouldn’t go to waste.
I’m happy to report that even though the recipe contained ham (and his other “favorite” food, broccoli!), Eric enjoyed these calzones. They’ll definitely be added to our rotation, with or without Easter leftovers. Next time I might make them half the size as mini, hand-held sized calzones.
What are your favorite Easter traditions?
Do you have something special you make with leftovers?
Cheesy Ham and Broccoli Calzone
Use your leftover Easter ham to make these family favorite ham and broccoli calzones. The cheese is gooey inside a crisp crust and is irrisistable.
Ingredients
No Rise Calzone or Pizza Crust:
- 1 1/3 cup warm water
- 2 packets Fleischmannโs Pizza Crust Yeast
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 2 - 3 cups all-purpose flour
For the Calzone Filling:
- 1 3/4 cups diced ham
- 1 3/4 cups small broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 6 ounces Mild Cheddar Cheese, shredded
- 2 - 3 green onions, sliced thin
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 10 ounces milk
- 1 cube or 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 1/2 tablespoon sour cream
Instructions
For the Calzone Crust:
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the warm water and yeast. Let stand for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, whisk in the olive oil.
- Meanwhile, combine sugar, salt, whole wheat, and 2 cups of all-purpose flour in a bowl. Reserve the remaining 1 cup all-purpose in a separate bowl. Add the flour mixture to the water 1 cup at a time while mixing with the stand mixer's dough hook until a soft dough is formed.
- If dough is still sticky, add the reserved flour 1/4 cup at a time (while still mixing) until desired consistency is reached. Dough should be soft and moist, but not sticky.
- Dough does not need to rise, but keep it covered while you mix up the filling.
For the Calzone Filling:
- Preheat oven to 500 degrees F.
- Prepare the ham, broccoli, cheese, and green onion. Stir together in a medium-large bowl. Set aside.
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour until it has absorbed the butter. Slowly add the milk, whisking vigorously as you pour, until the sauce is thick and smooth. Add the bouillon and stir until dissolved. Season with pepper and, if desired, salt. Stir in the sour cream. Add the sauce into the ham mixture and stir to combine.
- Divide dough into 8 equal portions and roll them into balls. It helps if you have a kitchen scale.
- Roll each ball into an 8-inch circle on a lightly floured surface. Top each circle with approximately 1/2 cup of the filling mixture. Pull edge of lower crust over top to form a half-circle. Press the layers together to seal.
- Lower the oven temperature to 400 degrees. Transfer calzones to a greased baking sheet or a parchment-lined pizza stone. If desired, brush with olive oil or an egg wash (1 egg + 1 tablespoon water, beaten). Bake at 400 degrees F for 10-20 minutes, until browned and puffy. Transfer to cooling rack to keep bottom crust crisp to sit until cool enough to handle.
Notes
calzone filling adapted from Sargento
calzone crust adapted from Spinach, Ricotta and Tomato Calzones
Note: To freeze - cool completely, then store in a freezer-safe ziploc bag in the freezer for up to a month. Defrost in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven or toaster oven at 300 degrees F.
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Nutrition Information
Yield 8 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 970 Total Fat 24g Saturated Fat 8g Trans Fat 0g Unsaturated Fat 14g Cholesterol 48mg Sodium 1527mg Carbohydrates 153g Net Carbohydrates 0g Fiber 8g Sugar 4g Sugar Alcohols 0g Protein 35g
Did you steam the broccoli before or just do raw! Thanks!
This is the best recipe. My kid loves it. Thanks for sharing . This will go in the rotation for sure.
Well, that just looks wonderful. I can’t wait to try it. The photo is lovely.
Is a stand mixer really needed? I would like to try this, but I don’t want to put all the work in if the dough isn’t going to turn out.
No, that is the method I use, but you can just as easily knead the dough by hand.
I just finished making…and eating….a batch of these! I measured everything out, but only ended up with enough filling for 7. There was a small amount of leakage, with a couple…but they were delicious! I’m going to make another batch…while everything is still out…to throw in the freezer.
oh my gosh, i love calzones!
i’ve never found a recipe for one though. these look so awesome, katie!
We made a version of these tonight; they were great! Thanks for helping us use up our leftover turkey.
well, i was a bit intimidated by the prospect of making the dough for the calzones, but i purchased the ingredients anyway. i put the yeast and the water together and took note of the time. then i lost track of time and remembered i had this recipe started 1 hr and 20 min. later! i’m happy to report that the dough turned out great–it took 3.25 C. flour for mine–and the stuffing is yummy! i used pepper jack and cheddar and frozen chopped broccoli. i also chopped the ham in my food processor so that everything would be similar in size.
the 8″ circle recommendation was too large and resulted in leaky calzones, only netting 7 also. i would also recommend brushing with olive oil. it improves the look of them. can’t wait to have them for dinner tomorrow night! thanks for a great recipe!
I’ve always thought that pizza calzones were WAY too heavy, but these look nice and light and absolutely delicious! Thanks for sharing, Katie. ๐
Calzone’s are so versatile.. they are a favorite around here too!
I’m not even cooking for Easter this year…so next week I will have to buy a ham, just to try these! Look like something we would really like.
Wow! Love your blog. This calzone looks so yummy. Thanks for sharing this recipe. I’ll have to give it a try.
I adore broccoli, and you’re right is does go hand in hand with cheese beautifully.
Mmmm. Your calzone looks perfect–the crust more breadlike than pizza dough. Love that.
Katie, these look incredibly delicious! And what a perfect use for leftover ham!
These look oh-so-delicious. I really need to put some of these together and then stash a few in the freezer for a quick future meal!
Is there such thing as a calzone made with whole wheat? ๐ Would love any pointers.
I’m not sure what you mean. I’ve included whole wheat in this recipe.
These look fantastic!
I absolutely love calzone and these look so fresh and springy ๐
Ham was always an Easter tradition in our family too. A few years ago my friend Liz was coming to our Easter dinner, and was absolutely *shocked* that our Easter dinner wasn’t brisket, beans, and rice. That’s what her family always had, and I’m guessing she was just as shocked as you were at Eric. Luckily we all enjoy ham, and these calzones will be great after Easter. We have the same problem – love ham, but have a small family!
One word: yum! I love ham and brocolli and with cheese and bread thrown in it can’t be wrong!
Calzones are one of our favorite things – they look so good!
Love calzones- looks wonderful, Katie!
I never comment on recipes, but I now have an intense craving for these…yum!
Oh, these will be on my must make schedule for next week. I am interested in the no-rise crust, anxious to try it. Thanks.
It is weird at first finding out that your husband’s traditions are not like yours. I’m used to Ham + Turkey and then variety of pasta dishes, hot and cold, and lots of fresh salad. Now it’s a lot of rice and just turkey. So I tend to bring some things that remind me of my tradition. I love these Calzones! (who doesn’t love stuffed bread?) That’s great your hubby liked them!