Italian Stromboli

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This quick and easy Italian Stromboli and a family favorite that can be made in minutes. Loaded with delicious cured meats and smothered in cheese all wrapped in a baked crust makes it an irresistible appetizer or meal.

Italian Stromboli slices covered in fresh parsley on a white round plate.

Friday nights in our house are currently labeled as “family fun night,” which doesn’t mean much, but it does mean pizza and a movie. It’s really just something we all look forward to each week and a time to gather as a family.

Depending on the week we’ll either make pizza like this recent favorite prosciutto mozzarella pizza, heat up a frozen one, or get takeout. My favorites are the weeks where I’ve still got some energy left to prepare something homemade.

If I am low on energy and the thought of a homemade pizza crust is daunting I opt for something extremely simple like stromboli. Stromboli is similar to a calzone, but it is more like a doughy turnover filled with cheese, pizza sauce, and cured meats, or your favorite pizza toppings.

This baked sandwich-like pizza-style dinner makes the perfect family fun night because my kids can easily help prepare it.

Stromboli half sliced and covered in melted cheese and fresh parsley.

What You’ll Need

Though this is a very basic stromboli recipe it has more of an “Italian” twist with seasoning and pesto added in. This slight addition brings a more intense and unique flavor than a traditional recipe.

These ingredients can be easily changed as well if you’d prefer to add different meats and cheeses or even use homemade pizza dough.

Refrigerated Pizza Dough
Pizza Sauce
Italian Salami
Pepperoni
Mozzarella Cheese
Basil Pesto
Egg
Italian Seasoning

Directions

Roll out the refrigerated pizza dough and lightly coat it with pizza sauce.
Generously sprinkle with Italian seasoning on top of the pizza sauce.

Pizza sauce on dough on left and seasoning on top of sauce in right.

Layer the salami on top of the pizza sauce making sure to not cover the edges, but overlap the slices.
Place the pepperoni slices on top of the salami.

Stromboli layers of salami and pepperoni on top of pizza crust.

Generously spread the pesto on top of the meat layer (you can easily add more if you’d like).
Sprinkle the cheese on top.

Pesto spread on Stromboli on left and shredded cheese layered on top of Stromboli on right.

Carefully roll one side of the Stromboli to the other and place the seam side down. Brush with the beaten egg and use a sharp knife to cut slices into the top of the stromboli.
Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese on top and dust with garlic powder and fresh parsley.
Bake at 400ºF for 15 to 25 minutes, or until the top begins to turn golden brown.

Sliced Stromboli dough on left and Stromboli dough covered in shredded cheese on right.

Stromboli Recipe Variations

This is such a fun and simple dinner and one you can change up every time you make it. Below are some of my favorite options for changing it up.

One of my favorite pizzerias (aside from basically anyone in New York City) is Mellow Mushroom. I love to look through their pizza combinations on the menu and use them to get variations for stromboli.

Hawaiian: swap the salami and pepperoni for sliced ham and pineapple chunks.
Meatlovers: add some crumbled sausage, sliced ham, and crumbled bacon.
Vegetarian: remove the salami and pepperoni and add your favorite vegetables. Some of the ones I like are mushrooms, onions, olives, and peppers.

Slices on a round white plate with pizza sauce in a wooden bowl next to it.

How to Store

Storage Information: should you have any stromboli leftovers, you can easily store them in the fridge to enjoy later. They’ll last for about two days if kept in an air-tight container.
Make-Ahead Information: follow the recipe as directed and let it cool completely. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an air-tight container and keep it in the fridge. To serve heat it up for 10 minutes at 350ºF.
Freezing Instructions: prepare the recipe completely and then let it cool before wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap. To serve, let it thaw, and then bake at 400ºF for 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown on top.

Recipe Notes and Expert Tips:

The more layers the better! I like to do a layer of salami then pepperoni and add another layer of salami, just try to not overstuff it. You still want it to roll up easily before baking it.
Cut the slits in the top about 2 inches apart and use those slits to slice the stromboli after it has cooled.
If you’d like to make this recipe ahead of time it can be stored in the fridge overnight or even frozen to enjoy later.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I keep stromboli from getting soggy?

The key to keeping stromboli from getting soggy is to not overstuff the ingredients. You can also spread the sauce in between the layers of meat instead of placing the cheese and sauce together, which melts and could potentially make it soggy.

Is stromboli hot or cold?

Slightly different than pizza, which is best enjoyed directly out of the oven, stromboli is better at room temperature. This allows the layers to stay together better when eating it.

What do you eat with stromboli?

Whether you’re serving it as an appetizer or a main dish stromboli goes well with the same kinds of dishes you’d serve with pizza. A simple garden salad or even garlic knots are some great options.

If you made this easy Pumpkin Chili I want to hear all about it! Share a photo and tag me on Instagram using @AimeeMarsLiving and #AimeeMars so I can see your beautiful work. Enjoy!