What To Serve With Calzone Pizza: 10 Best Sides!
In my household, we take pizza night very seriously! Every Saturday evening, we get together as a family and tuck into a pizza based feast with a selection of delicious side dishes.
One of our favourite ways to keep things fresh and exciting is to occasionally make calzone.
It’s quite simply a folded pizza, stuffed with ingredients such as mozzarella, ham, and peppers, baked in the oven and then drizzled with a tomato sauce.
It’s perfectly possible to fill up on this alone, but I like to get everyone round the table enjoying multiple different dishes.
Here, I’m going to talk you through what to serve with calzone.
You’ll find quick and easy options, healthy and light accompaniments, indulgent treats that are fit for special guests, and everything in between…
1. Italian potato salad
Potato salad is so easy to make and so versatile.
I serve it alongside all kinds of different meals, including steak, roast chicken, sausages, and of course calzone.
What I really love the most about potato salad is that you can make it your own by changing up the ingredients you use.
Create an Italian inspired potato salad by ditching the mayonnaise and creating an oil based dressing for baby potatoes.
Whisk together olive oil, grated parmesan, and a little seasoning.
Finish off your salad by adding fresh basil leaves and chopped sun-dried tomatoes.
2. Tangy cabbage slaw
A good coleslaw is fresh, crunchy, and brings plenty of flavour and texture to the table.
It’s a great option for what to serve with calzone if you’re feeding a crowd and want to make sure that you’re offering up some vibrant veggies.
Finely slice carrots, cabbage, red onion, and celery.
Whisk together mayonnaise, lemon zest and juice, mustard, and celery salt.
Toss everything together, and you’re good to go!
This slaw can be made the day before and kept in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.
3. Caesar salad
We can’t talk about Italian inspired side dishes without mentioning the ever wonderful Caesar salad!
It typically involves lettuce, croutons, parmesan cheese, anchovies, egg, and sometimes even chicken, and it’s the kind of salad that works so well with a calzone.
4. Sweet potato fries
Sweet potato fries always seem to be a real crowd pleaser!
They’re also super easy to prepare.
Just chop up your potatoes, drizzle with olive or vegetable oil, sprinkle with oregano (or another herb of your choice) and bake in oven for around 25 minutes.
I have an air fryer, and I find this creates the best fries that are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, without the need for parboiling.
A traditional oven works just fine though if you don’t have an air fryer!
5. Roasted vegetables
A tray of roasted vegetables can be colourful, vibrant, and full of your favourite flavours.
I knock up a tray of roasted veggies a few times a week, and I live by the mantra that there are no rules for this dish.
Just chuck in any vegetables that you have that need using up, such as carrots, potatoes, beetroot, and parsnips, and add lemon, garlic, and plenty of seasoning before baking.
(Got a birthday coming up? Get some more ideas for what to serve with pizza for a birthday party!)
6. Garlic butter steak bites
Imagine a side dish that involves tender, deliciously charred chunks of steak, smothered in a tasty buttery garlic sauce… If that sounds like it’s right up your street, you need to try these garlic butter steak bites!
To serve, spear with toothpicks and let everyone tuck in. They’re a great option for what to serve with calzone when you want to put together a fuss free but impressive buffet dinner.
7. Tempura prawns
Seafood lovers will agree that tempura prawns can make for a great side dish for calzone pizzas.
You’ll need to deep fry for the very best results, though a little mess is well worth the end result!
8. Chicken wings
Chicken wings are one of my favourite finger foods, and though they may not be traditionally Italian, they’re very well deserving of a place at the table alongside calzone.
Keep things simple by coating with Italian seasoning, olive oil, garlic, and black pepper, and baking in the oven until cooked through and crisped.
9. Raw broccoli salad
The reason why so many people don’t love green veggies is because they’ve experienced greens that have been over-boiled and turned out mushy and tasteless.
Raw broccoli makes a fabulous base for a green salad, and it’s likely to tempt even the fussy eaters in your family.
Chop up a head of broccoli, and chuck in diced peppers, onions, pine nuts, and dried cranberries. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, and you’ve got a super quick side dish that packs a nutritional punch.
10. Stuffed olives
Stuffed olives are super elegant, and I always think they add a touch of class when served alongside a Mediterranean inspired meal.
Best of all, they require absolutely no time at all when it comes to preparation!
These days you can find high quality olives in most supermarkets, though if you have the time to pop to a local Italian deli, you’ll likely discover some of the very best olives available in your part of the world.
I like mine stuffed with garlic or jalapeños, and I like to serve them as a nibble with a chilled glass of wine before the main course.
FAQs about serving and enjoying calzone pizza
How do you stop calzones from going soggy?
If a calzone is a centre point of your meal, you’ll want to ensure that you don’t end up with lacklustre results in the form of soggy, wet dough!
You can prevent calzone going soggy by preheating the pizza pan or stone, prior to cooking. Once removed from the oven, rest on a wire rack instead of a plate.
You should also be mindful of the ingredients you use to create your filling. Options such as onion and peppers tend to be high on moisture, so you may need to play with your ratios and add more of drier ingredients such as shredded chicken.
Finally, a pizza sauce that’s too runny can make for a soggy calzone. Make sure that you boil it in a pan until it has a thick, spreadable texture.
Are calzone and pizza dough the same?
Yes, the same dough is used to make both calzone and pizza. The only difference is the preparation method before cooking.
Why is my calzone not cooked in the middle?
Undercooked calzone is unpleasant to eat, and it could potentially be dangerous too.
You can help to make sure that your calzone is cooked by ensuring you’re cooking it at the recommended temperature. Just a little bit too high, and you could end up burning the crust before it’s cooked through. An oven thermometer will help you to get this right.
You may also want to limit chunky fillings, such as big pieces of onion and pepper, which can take longer to cook.
What’s your go to choice for what to serve with calzone? Leave a comment and share your best tips!
