Classic Stromboli Recipe from The Food Charlatan (2024)

This easy stromboli recipe is basically rolled up pizza. The classic ingredients include mozzarella, ham, and salami. It’s so good dipped in marinara! A perfect quick dinner (that kids love) or appetizer for football-watching. I will show you just how to make it! Originally posted September 5, 2017.

Classic Stromboli Recipe from The Food Charlatan (1)
Table of Contents
  1. What is Stromboli?
  2. What you’ll need to make the Best Stromboli Recipe
  3. How to make Homemade Stromboli
  4. How to roll a Stromboli Sandwich
  5. Easy Stromboli Recipe filling suggestions
  6. Leftover Stromboli Sandwich storage
  7. Stromboli Recipe FAQs
  8. More delicious dinners that are appetizers!
  9. Stromboli Sandwich Recipe

How was your Labor Day weekend?? Today Eric and I were doing yard work (okay, mostly Eric. I was making Stromboli ☝) and he said he was about to take down the 4th of July bunting that I put up way back in June. Then he remembered it was Labor Day and decided to leave it up in the name of patriotism. He also pointed out that September 11 is coming up, as well as Veteran’s Day in November, so really we HAVE to keep it.

I’m the worst at taking down decorations. We still have a string of homemade snowflakes hanging up high in our living room from Christmas. IT’S SEPTEMBER GUYS. May as well just leave it up til December I guess. (Yes, I realize this is how old ladies who leave their Christmas villages up all year are born. Send help.)

There were some killer sales this weekend, was anyone else doing some shopping? I love that shopping these days consists of me sitting on my couch googling promo codes. We’re so spoiled.

My task is to find a desk chair that is ergonomic and somehow not hideous. Anyone have any suggestions? The two requirements seem to be mutually exclusive.

Classic Stromboli Recipe from The Food Charlatan (2)

I need a decent desk because right now I’m typing this on my couch, and my lower back is crying real tears. Did you know it takes me several hours to write a blog post? (way too much time on the couch!) I know food blogging is this weird new industry that’s a little misunderstood. (“oh, you have a blog? That’s so cute!”)

Anyway, that’s why I need a desk space with a decent chair that is designed to be used for hours at a time. Also I need a physical therapist probably, but I can’t buy that online in my pajamas, so it will have to wait. I’ll find one right after I take down my 4th of July bunting and Christmas snowflakes.

On to the recipe! Raise your hand if you’ve had stromboli?? No, not the bad guy on Pinocchio (remember him?), I’m talking about dinner. It’s so good.

Classic Stromboli Recipe from The Food Charlatan (3)

What is Stromboli?

Stromboli is basically pizza that’s rolled up like a cinnamon roll. Minus cinnamon and sugar, plus pepperoni, cheese and marinara sauce. Pizza dough is layered with all your favorite toppings, rolled up, baked until golden, then sliced into rounds. It makes a delicious lunch, dinner, or appetizer served with marinara sauce for dipping. Yes please.

My kids loved this stuff. It makes a great quick dinner or would be an awesome appetizer for football watching this fall. If you make it for a meal it would serve about 4 (with a couple sides, I’m thinking broccoli and a big salad) or if you make it as an appetizer then it serves 6-8, depending on how hungry your guests are.

What you’ll need to make the Best Stromboli Recipe

Here’s a quick shopping list, full instructions can be found in the recipe card below!

  • Pizza dough
  • Butter
  • Garlic
  • Mozzarella
  • Ham
  • Pepper jack cheese
  • Salami slices
  • Pepperoni
  • Parsley
  • Egg
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Black pepper
  • Chopped parsley
  • Marinara sauce

How to make Homemade Stromboli

It’s so easy. Here’s the basic idea, but I have photos and the full recipe below.

  1. Roll out pizza dough, store bought or homemade.
  2. Add all the toppings
  3. Roll it up and seal the edges
  4. Bake for a half hour, EAT!
Classic Stromboli Recipe from The Food Charlatan (4)

How to roll a Stromboli Sandwich

Don’t worry guys. If I can do this, so can you.

I love my recipe for Homemade Pizza Dough, but if you want to buy pre made dough at the store, that will work great too!

Classic Stromboli Recipe from The Food Charlatan (5)

Make sure that when you layer everything onto the pizza dough that you leave a 1-2 inch border around one of the long edges and the two short ends. Brush the egg wash onto the three exposed edges. Next, roll the stromboli up starting with the long edge that didn’t get egg wash. Make sure you roll it up nice and tight so it doesn’t unravel. You can be too gentle, but it’s hard to do it too tightly.

Classic Stromboli Recipe from The Food Charlatan (6)

Seal the stromboli up by wetting your fingers and sealing the end of the dough. Then roll over the stromboli so that the seam is facing down. Seal the ends of the stromboli with wet fingers, folding the dough underneath if there is extra.

Classic Stromboli Recipe from The Food Charlatan (7)

That’s it. Now you can bake it! Remember, it will taste incredible, no matter how it looks.

Easy Stromboli Recipe filling suggestions

The fillings for Stromboli are as limitless as pizza toppings. You could literally put anything in. BBQ chicken and red onions, Hawaiian with pineapple, sky is the limit. Next time I think I’m going to try a combination style one: green peppers, sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, olives. Yum!

Leftover Stromboli Sandwich storage

Finished stromboli will last in the fridge for up to 3 days. Or seal it well and toss in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge if frozen, then warm in the oven until heated all the way through. You can pop individual slices in the microwave, but they won’t be as crispy on the edges (just like pizza!)

Classic Stromboli Recipe from The Food Charlatan (8)

Stromboli Recipe FAQs

Stromboli vs Calzone

While stromboli and calzones are both variations on classic pizza, they are slightly different.
A calzone is a circle of dough that’s filled with pizza toppings, then folded over to form a crescent of dough. A stromboli is a rectangular piece of dough that’s layered with pizza toppings, then rolled up lengthwise to create a long loaf.

Do Stromboli have sauce in them?

Usually not! Instead the final slices are dipped in warm marinara sauce when it is served. This ensures a perfectly cooked stromboli and plenty of delicious sauce in every bite–since you’re scooping it up yourself, you can choose the amount you want. And of course, you want allll the sauce.

Is a stromboli baked or fried?

Baked! And it’s so good that way. Baking the stromboli heats everything up perfectly but still gives the exterior its golden color and slightly crisped texture. But seriously if someone tried frying this goodness, invite me over for dinner.

Is Stromboli considered a sandwich?

This is a lot like that “is a hot dog a sandwich?” debate. While stromboli is technically more of a rolled-up turnover, it is also known as a stromboli sandwich. Call it what you like. It’s pizza-y goodness and it’s a party in your mouth.

Classic Stromboli Recipe from The Food Charlatan (9)

More delicious dinners that are appetizers!

  • << One of my favorite meals in a mini-individual serving!
  • Chicken Mushroom and Cream Cheese Stuffed Rolls << my mom used to make these all the time!
  • Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers << I perfected this classic party food!
  • Carol’s Legendary 7-Layer Dip << This is the bean dip of your life.
  • Chicken Flautas (Taquitos) << Another great dinner or appetizer that I love.
  • Easy Cheeseburger Sliders << Watch these disappear so quickly.
  • Pepperoni Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls << Pizza and a yummy dough – so good.
  • Jalapeno Popper Cheesy Bread with Bacon << Bacon, Cheese, Jalapeño. Yummmmm.
  • Baked Potato Skins from Small Town Woman
  • Toasted Ravioli from Chef Savvy

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Classic Stromboli Recipe from The Food Charlatan (10)

Stromboli Sandwich

4.90 from 19 votes

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 25 minutes mins

Total: 35 minutes mins

Servings: 4 for dinner, 8 for appetizers

Classic Stromboli Recipe from The Food Charlatan (11)

Stromboli is basically pizza that's been rolled up like a cinnamon roll. The classic ingredients include mozzarella, ham, and salami. I threw in some pepperoni and pepper jack cheese just for fun. It's so good dipped in marinara! Perfect quick dinner (that kids love) or appetizer for football-watching.

Ingredients

  • 1 pizza dough
  • 1 tablespoon butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella, shredded (I like to shred fresh mozz.)
  • 12 thin slices ham
  • 4 ounces Pepper Jack cheese, sliced
  • 15-17 salami slices
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
  • 15 slices pepperoni
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
  • 1/4 cup parsley, chopped fine
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheee
  • cracked black pepper, to taste
  • more chopped parsley, to garnish
  • marinara sauce, for dipping

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.

  • Lightly flour a work surface or a square of parchment paper. Roll yourpizza doughinto a rectangle about 12 by 14 inches. I prefer to roll out my pizza dough onparchment paper, because you can just put the paper straight into the oven without trying to transfer it.

  • Brush the top of the dough with melted butter.

  • Sprinkle garlic over the top. You can either use fresh garlic or the kind in the jar.

  • Sprinkle the top with 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese. Leave a 1-2 inch border around 1 long edge and the two short ends.

  • Top with 12 slices of ham.

  • Layer slices of Pepper jack cheese on top of the ham.

  • Layer salami on top of the Pepper jack.

  • Add another 1/2 cup mozzarella.

  • Layer on the pepperoni.

  • Sprinkle the last 1/2 cup mozzarella on top, then sprinkle with parsley.

  • In a small bowl, beat the egg with a fork. Add 1 tablespoon water. Use a brush to coat the 3 exposed edges of your stromboli (short, short, and 1 long edge) with egg wash.

  • Carefully roll up the long edge of your stromboli, starting with the one edge that didn’t get the egg wash. Roll it tightly so that it stays together.

  • Seal the seam with wet fingertips, then roll over the stromboli so that the seam is facing down. Seal the ends with wet fingers, folding the dough underneath if there is extra.

  • Transfer the stromboli to a baking sheet orpizza stone.

  • Brush with melted butter or the extra egg wash. Whatever is most handy. I actually used a little of both.

  • Sprinkle the stromboli with Parmesan cheese, then sprinkle with black pepper. Use a sharp serrated knife to make shallow diagonal cuts on top of the stromboli.

  • Bake at 375 for 25-30 minutes, until the top is brown. If you are nervous that it’s not done, lift an edge with a spatula and make sure the bottom is brown.

  • Let sit for a few minutes so you don’t burn your fingers off. Use a sharp serrated knife to chop into 8-10 slices.

  • Sprinkle with fresh parsley and dip in warm marinara sauce to serve.

Notes

*This links to a pizza crust that will make TWO 10-12 ounce pizza doughs. So clearly the answer is to double this recipe and make 2 Strombolis :)

**You will need a total of 1 and 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella for the whole recipe.

One more thing, I don’t think this recipe is overly spicy with the pepper jack cheese, but if you are very sensitive then just use all shredded mozzarella.

Nutrition

Calories: 1145kcal | Carbohydrates: 96g | Protein: 61g | Fat: 58g | Saturated Fat: 25g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 20g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 195mg | Sodium: 3806mg | Potassium: 485mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 984IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 478mg | Iron: 7mg

Course: Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Calories: 1145

Keyword: classic, easy dinner, quick appeitzer, stromboli

Did you make this? I’d love to see it!Mention @thefoodcharlatan or tag #thefoodcharlatan!

Categorized as , Back to School Recipes, Dinner, Game Day Recipes, , Pork, Quick and Easy Dinners

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Classic Stromboli Recipe from The Food Charlatan (2024)

FAQs

Does a stromboli have sauce in it? ›

You'll sometimes find a little sauce in a stromboli, but it's often left out or served on the size for dipping like a calzone.

What is the difference between a stromboli and a calzone? ›

A calzone features a circle of dough that's folded in half over the filling and sealed by crimping, like a pasty or empanada. A stromboli starts with a rectangular piece of dough that's then topped with add-ins and cheese, rolled up lengthwise and sealed by folding and pressing the extra dough over the edges.

What is the origin of the stromboli? ›

Stromboli was invented by Italian Americans in the United States, in the Philadelphia area. The name of the dish is taken from a volcanic island off the coast of Sicily. A stromboli is similar to a calzone or scaccia, and the dishes are sometimes confused.

Are strombolis healthy? ›

A stromboli can contain over 900 calories when it is ready to be eaten. This difference is largely due to the filling, which is more prevalent in a calzone. Stromboli is usually loaded with meat, so it is not healthy if you're trying to lose weight.

Do they eat stromboli in Italy? ›

Despite its distinctly Italian flavours of mozzarella, ham, tomatoes, and its close resemblance to the calzone from Naples, stromboli is actually an American creation that comes from Philadelphia. Find out how to make this classic Italian-American fusion dish and discover the story of its beginnings.

What goes good with stromboli? ›

What to Serve with Stromboli. Stromboli is a bit heavy with all that meat and cheese, so make sure to lighten up your plate with a simple side salad, or if you're feeling ambitious, go all out with an Antipasto Salad. You can even use some of the ingredients in the Antipasto inside of your stromboli!

Is pizza dough the same as calzone dough? ›

Both are prepared with flour, water, salt, and yeast; that's the solution. In contrast, the eggs and olive oil used in most calzone dough give it a deeper flavor and a softer texture. Eggs and oil are not common ingredients in pizza dough, contributing to its crispiness and durability.

What is the English version of a calzone? ›

Calzone, a traditional Italian stuffed bread, was originally shaped into a long, narrow tube, akin to stromboli; in fact, the translation of calzone is "pant leg" These days, most calzone makers simply roll dough out like a pizza and fold it over like a turnover.

What is the nickname of Stromboli? ›

The sight of that lava spraying into the sky at night has led people to nickname Stromboli the “Lighthouse of the Mediterranean.”

What is an interesting fact about the Stromboli? ›

Stromboli is a stratovolcano composed of alternating layers of hardened ash, lava, and volcanic rocks. Strong eruptions have been recorded at the volcano for more than 1,000 years. In 2002, a major eruption caused a small tsunami and damaged Stromboli Village on the north side of the island.

What does Stromboli mean in English? ›

strom·​bo·​li sträm-ˈbō-lē plural strombolis. : bread dough that is rolled or sometimes folded around a filling often composed of cheese, cold cuts, vegetables, and sauce and then baked. A close relative of pizza, stromboli is made, essentially, by rolling up an unbaked pizza like a log, tucking in the ends as you go.

How long are strombolis good for? ›

Serve plain or with pizza/marinara sauce for dipping. Cover and store leftover stromboli (slices or whole) in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Do calzones and strombolis have sauce in them? ›

Calzones never have tomato sauce inside the dough. They're always dipped. While stromboli is also dip-able, it's totally cool to put some sauce inside stromboli, pre-roll.

What is a serving size of stromboli? ›

Pepperoni And Provolone Cheese - Cafe W
Nutrition Facts
For a Serving Size of 1 stromboli (198g)
How many calories are in Stromboli? Amount of calories in Stromboli: Calories 710Calories from Fat 351 (49.4%)
% Daily Value *
How much fat is in Stromboli? Amount of fat in Stromboli: Total Fat 39g-
16 more rows

Is calzone with or without sauce inside? ›

Calzones never have tomato sauce inside the dough. They're always dipped. While stromboli is also dip-able, it's totally cool to put some sauce inside stromboli, pre-roll. Whether you're team stromboli or team calzone, these distinctions shouldn't inspire hate.

What is the definition of a stromboli? ›

strom·​bo·​li sträm-ˈbō-lē plural strombolis. : bread dough that is rolled or sometimes folded around a filling often composed of cheese, cold cuts, vegetables, and sauce and then baked. A close relative of pizza, stromboli is made, essentially, by rolling up an unbaked pizza like a log, tucking in the ends as you go.

What is stromboli meat made of? ›

Some meat suggestions are capicola, salami, soppressata, prosciutto, deli ham/turkey/roast beef, and/or pepperoni. Avoid using small pizza pepperoni slices. For best results (and flavor), use large pepperoni slices from the deli counter. You want about 1/2 pound of cheese per stromboli as well.

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