Stromboli Recipe

This easy Stromboli recipe starts with refrigerated pizza dough. It is loaded with salami, pepperoni, ham, and lots of cheese. It’s all rolled up and baked until golden.

Slice and serve with an extra helping of your favorite sauce for dipping.

An Italian Favorite Made Easy

I don’t know anything that will bring the family to the table faster than the smell of pizza baking in the oven. Stromboli pizza is that magical combination of dough, meat, and cheese with Italian seasoning that gets them every time.

This stromboli recipe is quick and easy enough to serve as an appetizer for a crowd but it’s also great to serve for a weeknight dinner. I often make two (switch up the flavors for variety!) and send leftover stromboli for school or work lunches the next day!

What Is The Difference Between a Calzone and a Stromboli?

Let’s start with what is a Stromboli? You won’t find a lot of difference between stromboli vs calzone.

A stromboli is like a pizza that is rolled into a log before baking and once baked it is sliced. Either way, they’re both delicious and use many of the same ingredients! A calzone is essentially a pizza folded in half and sealed, it is usually in a semi-circle shape (and often contains ricotta cheese).

Ingredients for Stromboli

One of the best things about this stromboli recipe is how easy it is to prep. If you have kids who like to help in the kitchen, they can probably prepare almost the entire recipe without help (depending on age of course)!

The Crust – Use refrigerated pizza dough to make this an easy 30-minute meal or if time allows, make homemade pizza dough.
The Sauce – I like to use either homemade marinara sauce or pizza sauce but of course, store-bought is great too. I found an Italian market in my city and asked for recommendations, I keep a few cans in the cupboard recipes like this.
Toppings & Fillings – I keep these basic (and family-friendly) using salami, pepperoni, and ham as well as a good covering of mozzarella cheese (and a little Parmesan if you’d like).You can add any filling you’d like when making homemade stromboli, from meats to bell peppers to olives. If you are using veggies that have a lot of water, like mushrooms, be sure to cook them first and dab dry or drain well. Meats (like sausage) should be pre-cooked or ‘ready to eat’. If adding onions, I like to soften in a pan first as well.

How to Make Stromboli

This stromboli recipe is super easy to make.

Roll out pizza dough
Add cheese and toppings and roll into a log.
Brush with egg wash and bake. So easy!

To Make Stromboli Ahead of Time

Stromboli is perfect for prepping ahead and either refrigerating or freezing!

We brush with an egg wash but if you’d prefer, you can brush the top with olive oil or melted butter (or even garlic butter). Sprinkle it with a bit of parmesan or some fresh herbs if you’d like.

Prepare fully, then cover with plastic wrap on the baking sheet and refrigerate up to 12 hours before baking.
Or prepare, bake, cool, wrap tightly and freeze. To serve, thaw for 5-6 hours at room temperature, then heat at 350°F for 10-20 minutes until heated through.

For a really hungry crowd, I add a side of Easy Italian Salad or Italian Wedding Soup (or both sometimes!).

More Pizza Inspired Recipes You’ll Love!

One Pot Pepperoni Mac and Cheese With Bacon – bacon, enough said!
Bubble Pizza Bread – everyone loves it, kids especially!
Margherita Pizza – classic
Pizza Grilled Cheese – a popular reader recipe
Grilled Cheeseburger Pizza – fun dinner, under 20 minutes!