This Pepperoni Stromboli recipe is simple to make and easy to customize to your taste. Come see how to make stromboli in this easy-to-follow recipe!
Every Friday evening is pizza night at my house. But, sometimes, I like to shake up pizza night by making something other than Homemade Pizza with my fabulous homemade pizza dough recipes like pizza rolls, Homemade Three Cheese Calzones, or this Stromboli recipe.
I LOVE this stromboli recipe because I can prepare almost all of the recipes up to 24 hours before baking. This means I have more time on my hands Friday night to play games or watch a movie with my kids instead of spending time making this entire recipe from start to finish.
What is Stromboli?
What is stromboli, you ask? It is basically a pizza roll cut up into slices. It is full of your favorite savory fillings with a crispy dough wrapped around it. You can make this Stromboli recipe as a main dish, appetizer, or the perfect game day snack!
What is the difference between a stromboli and a calzone?
Although the two may look alike, they are not. Stromboli more closely resembles a sub sandwich than a calzone. Calzones have a wet filling comprised of a mixture of mozzarella and ricotta cheese. They can be baked or fried, and they’re always served with sauce on the side.
Alternatively, Stromboli is always baked, and the sauce is either cooked inside or served on the side (my personal preference) or not at all. Lastly, the main difference is where each originated. Calzones originated in Naples, Italy, during the 1700s, and Stromboli originated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Pepperoni Stromboli ingredients and cost
Per Serving Cost: $1.30
Recipe Cost: $10.43
- 8 ounces pepperoni – $3.64
- 2-pound pizza dough ball – $1.32
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil – $0.14
- 3 cups mozzarella cheese – $3.15
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese – $1.99
- 1 large egg – $0.10
- 1 Tablespoon water – $0.00
- 1 ½ teaspoons sesame seeds – $0.09
NOTE: The recipe prices are calculated by using grocery store websites. The actual cost of the recipe will vary depending on what ingredients you already have.
Cook’s Tools
- kitchen scale
- parchment paper
- baking sheets
- ruler
- pastry brush
- prep bowls
- wire rack
Pepperoni Stromboli recipe variations
Feel free to fill yours with whatever fillings you’d like. Here are some of our favorites:
Stromboli Filling Ideas
- Italian sausage and broccoli rabe
- Broccoli, black olives, and roasted red pepper
- Italian sausage and provolone cheese
- Cheddar cheese and deli ham or cooked bacon
- Cheddar cheese and broccoli
How to Make Stromboli
- First, cook the pepperoni in the microwave. Then preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Next, shape the dough into a 12×10-inch rectangle. Brush the edges with olive oil.
- Fill the dough with mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, and parmesan cheese.
- How to fold a Stromboli: Fold over one long side of the dough followed by the second side. Then pinch the seams shut and place it on the baking sheet.
- Brush the stromboli with the egg mixture followed by sesame seeds. Cut slits into the top of the stromboli and cover with tin foil.
- Finally, bake the strombolis. Let cool for five minutes before slicing and serving.
How long to cook Stromboli
Bake the Strombolis for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and rotate the pans. Bake for an additional 25-30 minutes or until the crusts are golden.
How to make a Stromboli ahead of time:
Prepare the recipe through step 10 below. Then, cover the strombolis with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Remove the plastic wrap and continue with the recipe at step 11 when you are ready to bake. Just note that you may need to add 5 minutes to the cooking time.
How to serve the Best Stromboli Recipe
Stromboli is on the heavier side so I like to serve a simple salad like this Italian salad along with it.
- Panzanella Salad
- Tri-Color Pasta Salad
- Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad
- Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese
- Italian Salad with Italian Salad Dressing
- Cold Italian Pasta Salad
- Oven Roasted Broccoli
- Creamy Cucumber Salad
- Garlic Cheese Breadsticks
- Cobb Salad
- Spinach Salad
Is stromboli eaten hot or cold?
Stromboli is typically eaten hot. Once assembled, it is baked until the crust is golden and crispy and the filling is hot and gooey. It’s often served fresh out of the oven, allowing the flavors to meld together and creating a satisfying, warm meal.
How to store Stromboli with Pizza Dough
SERVE: You can keep the pepperoni stromboli out for two hours before it needs to be refrigerated.
STORE: Cover leftovers in foil or in a covered container and store them in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
FREEZE: Once cooled, place in a freezer-safe container or Ziploc bag and freeze for 2-3 months.
How to reheat Stromboli
To reheat stromboli and enjoy it again, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take the stromboli and tightly wrap it in aluminum foil to prevent it from drying during reheating. Place the wrapped stromboli on a baking sheet and heat it in the oven for approximately 15-20 minutes. Once it’s done reheating, remove the stromboli from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Cook’s notes on How to make Stromboli
- If you are using homemade pizza dough for this recipe, them make sure you let the dough rise first before proceeding with the stromboli recipe below.
- This recipe can be halved to serve 4 people.
Stromboli FAQs
First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Next, place the stromboli on the baking sheet and bake until heated for about 15-20 minutes.
If the stromboli is already slices and not whole, then this will take anywhere from 5-10 minutes depending on the size of the slices.
Stromboli is closely associated with Pennsylvania, particularly Philadelphia, where it is believed to have originated. While its exact origins are disputed, it is widely believed to have been created by Italian-American immigrants in the city during the 1950s. Stromboli is similar to a calzone but is typically rolled instead of folded and filled with ingredients such as Italian meats, cheeses, and vegetables. Today, stromboli has become popular beyond Pennsylvania and can be found in many pizzerias and Italian restaurants across the United States.
Traditional stromboli does not typically have sauce inside. Stromboli is made by rolling up a pizza dough with various fillings such as Italian meats, cheeses, and vegetables. The fillings can vary, but they are usually dry or only lightly sauced ingredients to prevent the stromboli from becoming soggy during baking. Once baked, you typically spoon sauce on top of the stromboli or dip it in the sauce.
In traditional Italian cuisine, calzones often contain ricotta cheese and other ingredients. On the other hand, strombolis typically have a combination of Italian meats, cheeses, and vegetables, and using ricotta cheese in strombolis is less common than in calzones.
A New York stromboli typically consists of rolled or folded pizza dough filled with various Italian cold cuts, cheeses, and sometimes vegetables. The specific ingredients can vary depending on the establishment. New York stromboli is often served with marinara or pizza sauce for dipping.
Pepperoni Stromboli with Pizza Dough
Equipment
- parchment paper or silicone baking mat
- pastry mat
- baking sheet
- pastry brush
- ruler
Ingredients
- 8 ounces thinly sliced deli pepperoni
- 2 pound pizza dough ball
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil separated
- 3 cups shredded whole milk mozzarella cheese about 12 ounces
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese finely grated (about 2 ounces)
- 1 large egg lightly beaten
- 1 Tablespoon water
- 1 ½ teaspoons sesame seeds
FOR SERVING:
Instructions
RENDER EXCESS FAT FROM THE PEPPERONI:
- Line a microwave-safe plate with 2 sheets of paper towel. Place a few slices of pepperoni on top to cover the plate. Cook on HIGH in a microwave for 30 seconds. Move pepperoni to a clean plate and discard paper towel. Repeat the process until all of the pepperonis are cooked.
PREPARE OVEN AND BAKING SHEETS:
- Move the oven racks to the upper middle and lower middle positions. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats; set aside.
FILL AND PREP THE FOR BAKING:
- Lightly flour the counter and divide the dough ball into two 1-pound balls. Cover one dough ball with a clean kitchen towel while you fill and prep the other.
- Pat the pizza dough into a 12×10-inch rectangle. Brush the edges of the pizza dough with 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil.
- Sprinkle the dough with 1 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella.
- Evenly distribute half of the pepperoni over the cheese.
- Sprinkle 1/2 cups of the Parmesan cheese over the pepperoni.
- Fold over 1 long side of the dough so that the edge meets in the center of the dough.
- Fold over the other long side of the dough and then pinch the seams shut.
- Place the stromboli on one of the prepared baking sheets, seam-side down.
- In a small bowl combine the egg and 1 tablespoon of water. Brush half of the egg mixture over the stromboli.
- Sprinkle the top with 3/4 teaspoon of sesame seeds, and place 5 deep slits into the top of the stromboli. Lightly spray a large piece of foil with nonstick cooking spray and cover the stromboli loosely with the foil. Repeat steps 4-12 with remaining dough ball and ingredients.
BAKE:
- Bake the Strombolis for 25 minutes, and then remove the foil and rotate the pans. Bake for an additional 25-30 minutes or until the crusts are golden.
- Transfer the strombolis to a wire rack to cool for 5 minutes, Cut each stromboli into 2-inch pieces and serve with pizza sauce for dipping.
Video
Notes
- If you are using homemade pizza dough for this recipe, then make sure you let the dough rise first before proceeding with the stromboli recipe above.
- This recipe can be cut in half to serve 4 people.
Nutrition
did you love this recipe?
Share it with me on Facebook and find more recipes on foodfolksandfun for more!
subscribe for new recipes
Get all the latest recipes in your inbox!
connect with us
Make sure to tag #foodfolksandfun on instagram!
Would you believe I’ve never made stromboli before?! I’m so super excited to print out this recipe and give it a try — thanks for all the super detailed tips and tricks! xo
You’re so welcome, enjoy!
This looks so perfect! I can’t wait to try it, I know my family is going to love it!
Enjoy, it’s always a hit with my kids!
I LOVE this stromboli!
I love stromboli but I’ve never made it. Great tips about the pepperoni too.
I hadn’t thought of making stromboli in years, so thanks for the reminder. Everyone loved it!
Stromboli is my FAVORITE! beats pizza any day as far as I’m concerned. Thanks for the easy recipe to create it at home!
I’ve always wanted to make stromboli at home and I love your step-by-step recipe! I never thought to render the pepperoni in the microwave, that is so smart!
Wow! It’s been way too long since I’ve had stromboli. Definitely time to change that. Will be making this stromboli ASAP!
Excellent. My family loved it! Love the dough, it will replace the current dough, fabulous!
Holly, I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thanks for taking the time to write a comment! 🙂