Last night season 12 of American Idol premiered with it’s usual dose of drama, sob stories and of course…the new judges! While Mariah and Nicki were turning it on for the cameras I was cooking up my premier recipe for this year’s Snackin’ with Sarah Sellers.

All season long I’ll be making themed recipes for Yahoo! Music blogstress Lyndsey Parker and her Reality Rocks blog. So for tonight’s episode in Chicago I’m keeping with the Italian theme with my Mini Sausage Calzones.

IMPORTANT TIP: Don’t skimp on the cheese!! I was worried about stuffing the dough with too much filling that they lost that cheesy flavor we all associate with a hearty calzone (don’t worry I adjusted the recipe). So don’t be afraid to go crazy with the cheese!

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Mini Sausage Calzones

• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
• 1 pound Italian sausage
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp cracked black pepper
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1 cup shredded Parmesan
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 can refrigerated thin crust pizza dough
• egg white
• marinara for dipping
• parsley for garnish

Preheat oven to 375.

Heat the oil in a large dutch oven over medium high heat. Sauté the bell pepper and onion until translucent.

Add the sausage and cook until no longer pink. Add the garlic, oregano, salt and pepper and sauté for one minute until fragrant.

Combine the mozzarella, Parmesan and dried thyme in a small bowl and set aside.

Spread the pizza dough on floured surface and cut into 8 pieces.

Top with the cheese and sausage mixture. Fold dough over and lightly press edges together with water. Bake until golden brown, around 15-20 minutes.

Serve with the marinara sauce garnished with the chopped parsley.

Bon Appétit!