Stromboli

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This easy stromboli is packed with Italian meats, cheese, and plenty of flavor—perfect for game day or any casual gathering!

Stromboli on a cutting board.

An Italian-American dish that originated in the city of Philadelphia, stromboli is like a rolled-up version of pizza. Filled with cheese and Italian deli meats, like pepperoni, salami, and ham, and served with marinara sauce for dipping, it’s a huge crowd-pleaser—perfect for game day, an easy dinner, or anytime you’re having people over. Just a heads-up: stromboli disappears quickly, so I recommend making two rolls, especially if you’re feeding a hungry group.

I use my favorite homemade pizza dough to make this stromboli recipe, but store-bought dough works great, too. And don’t worry if your stromboli bursts a little while baking—it’s totally normal for some cheese to ooze out. In fact, the dish is said to be named after Mt. Stromboli, one of Italy’s active volcanoes, because the ingredients look like they’re about to explode out of the crust.

“Kids and husband asked for something ‘different’ for dinner. This was gobbled up in minutes with immediate requests to make it again very soon!”

Jess

What You’ll Need To Make Stromboli

Stromboli ingredients including egg, olive oil, and meats.
  • Homemade or store-bought pizza dough – Acts as the base of the stromboli, holding all the delicious fillings together; you can use store-bought dough for convenience or homemade if you prefer.
  • Extra-virgin olive oil – Adds flavor and richness to the filling.
  • Garlic – Infuses the stromboli with a subtle garlicky aroma and flavor.
  • Dried oregano – A classic Italian herb that adds warmth and earthy flavor to the filling.
  • Crushed red pepper flakes (optional) – Adds a touch of heat and spice for those who like a little kick.
  • Pecorino Romano – This sharp, salty cheese that enhances the flavor of the stromboli.
  • Provolone & Mozzarella – These two cheeses melt beautifully together, providing a mild, creamy, and irresistibly gooey texture.
  • Deli ham and Italian Cured Meats – A variety of meats bring savory, salty and bold flavors to the stromboli.
  • Italian cured meats (such as salami, pepperoni, bresaola) – A variety of meats bring savory, salty, and bold flavors; using at least two types ensures a well-rounded taste.
  • Egg (beaten) – Brushed on top to give the stromboli a shiny, golden-brown finish after baking.
  • Store-bought or homemade marinara sauce (optional) – Perfect for dipping, adding a tangy and savory complement to the rich filling.
  • Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements

Step-by-Step Instructions

On a lightly floured work surface, stretch and/or roll the dough into a 10×12-inch rectangle, about 1/4-inch thick.

rolling out dough

Arrange the dough rectangle so the long side is closest to you. Brush the surface with the oil, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges. Spread the garlic evenly over the top of the oil, then sprinkle with the oregano, a pinch of red pepper flakes (if using), and the pecorino romano.

layering oil, garlic, oregano and pecorino Romano

Shingle the provolone slices evenly over the pecorino romano, followed by the ham, mozzarella, and cured meats.

layering meat and cheese

Brush the borders of the dough with the egg (reserve the remaining egg for brushing the top of the stromboli). Fold the bottom third of the stromboli in toward the middle.

Dough being rolled around stromboli fillings.

Fold the top third of stromboli down to cover first fold, creating a wide log, like a folded letter. Pinch the seam tightly to seal.

Rolled stromboli on a countertop.

Transfer the stromboli to the prepared baking sheet, seam side down. Pinch the ends tightly to seal and tuck underneath. Loosely cover the stromboli with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature for 1 hour. (The stromboli won’t look much different after the rise; that’s okay.)

Plastic-wrapped stromboli on a lined baking sheet.

Preheat the oven to 375°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Brush the top of the dough with the remaining egg. Using a sharp knife, make 5 evenly spaced 1/2-inch-deep slits, 1-1/2 inches long, on top of the stromboli.

brushing stromboli with egg wash

Bake until golden brown, puffy, and bubbling, about 35 minutes (if you have a thermometer, the center should register 200°F). Some grease or cheese may bubble out of the sides and top; that’s normal. Use a paper towel to blot any excess grease on the baking sheet.

Baked stromboli on a lined baking sheet.

Let the stromboli cool on the baking sheet for 15 to 20 minutes, then transfer to a cutting board and cut into 1-inch-thick slices. Serve warm or at room temperature, with marinara sauce on the side (if using).

Slices of stromboli on a cutting board.

Video Tutorial

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Stromboli

This easy stromboli is packed with Italian meats, cheese, and plenty of flavor—perfect for game day or any casual gathering!

Servings: 4 to 6
Prep Time: 25 Minutes
Cook Time: 35 Minutes
Total Time: 1 Hour, plus 1 hour to rise (and additional time if making the pizza dough from scratch)

Ingredients

  • 1 lb homemade or store-bought pizza dough (see note)
  • 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
  • A few pinches crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons finely grated pecorino romano
  • 4 thin slices (3 oz) provolone cheese
  • 4 medium slices (3 oz) deli ham
  • 4 thin slices (3 oz) mozzarella cheese
  • 14 thin, large slices (3 oz) Italian cured meats, such as salami, pepperoni, bresaola, etc. (use at least two different kinds for best results)
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • Store-bought or homemade marinara sauce, for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Line a 13x18-inch baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. On a lightly floured work surface, stretch and/or roll the dough into a 10x12-inch rectangle, about ¼-inch thick. (Be sure not to roll the dough too thin.)
  3. Arrange the dough rectangle so the long side is closest to you. Brush the surface with the oil, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges. Spread the garlic evenly over the top of the oil, then sprinkle with the oregano, a pinch of red pepper flakes (if using), and the pecorino romano.
  4. Shingle the provolone slices evenly over the pecorino romano, followed by the ham, mozzarella, and cured meats. Brush the borders of the dough with the egg (reserve the remaining egg for brushing the top of the stromboli). Fold the bottom third of the stromboli in toward the middle. Fold the top third of stromboli down to cover first fold, creating a wide log, like a folded letter. Pinch the seam tightly to seal. Transfer the stromboli to the prepared baking sheet, seam side down. Pinch the ends tightly to seal and tuck underneath the stromboli. Loosely cover the stromboli with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature for 1 hour. (The stromboli won't look much different after the rise; that's okay.)
  5. Preheat the oven to 375°F and set an oven rack in the middle position.
  6. Brush the top of the dough with the remaining egg. Using a sharp knife, make 5 evenly spaced ½-inch-deep slits, 1½ inches long, on top of the stromboli. Bake until golden brown, puffy, and bubbling, about 35 minutes (if you have a thermometer, the center should register 200°F). Some grease or cheese may bubble out of the sides and top; that's normal. Use a paper towel to blot any excess grease on the baking sheet. Let the stromboli cool on the baking sheet for 15 to 20 minutes, then transfer to a cutting board and cut into 1-inch-thick slices. Serve warm or at room temperature, with marinara sauce on the side (if using).
  7. Note: If you're using the homemade pizza dough, you'll only need 1 lb. of it for the stromboli. You can either cut the recipe in half or make the whole recipe and refrigerate or freeze the other dough ball.
  8. Make Ahead/Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The stromboli can be prepared, covered with plastic wrap, and refrigerated for up to 12 hours before baking. Add the egg wash and cut slits right before baking, and allow a few extra minutes in the oven. To freeze the stromboli before baking, fill and roll the stromboli as directed but do not add the egg wash or cut slits. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Add the egg wash and cut slits right before baking, and allow a few extra minutes in the oven.

Nutrition Information

Powered by Edamam

  • Per serving (6 servings)
  • Calories: 418
  • Fat: 19 g
  • Saturated fat: 9 g
  • Carbohydrates: 39 g
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 21 g
  • Sodium: 1,169 mg
  • Cholesterol: 77 mg

This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.

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Comments

  • Absolutely delicious beyond compare!

    The homemade dough recipe for this stromboli is the best we have ever had! And the easy way of folding it over the fillings makes all the difference.

    • — Jane on August 1, 2024
    • Reply
  • I made two of these for family movie night and barely have any leftovers! For the chief meats, I used hard salami, pepperoni, and capocollo, and I subbed parmesan for the Romano since I had that on hand. It was absolutely delicious and the recipe was simple. Thank you!

    • — Emily on July 7, 2024
    • Reply
  • Made this for a birthday get together, it was delicious and easy, so often strombolis are overpowered by the taste of peppers. As usual another winner from Jenn. Thank you

    • — Joe Hanlon on May 23, 2024
    • Reply
  • I have been wanting to make this for a long time, as I haven’t had stromboli since I was a kid. Made it last week for my family while watching golf and we all loved it! Great flavors.

    • — Stephanie H on April 28, 2024
    • Reply
  • I made this, with the homemade pizza dough for the Superbowl. Everyone really liked it, especially the dough. That said, I think next time, and there will be a next time, I will use more cheese and meat. It seemed a bit dough heavy if done with just what the recipe calls for. I thought so when I was making it but my general rule is to always try to follow a recipe as written the first time and then make my adjustments the next time through. I love cooking with Jen’s recipes and this one was no different. Thank you Jen

    • — MAR on February 19, 2024
    • Reply
  • Kids and husband asked for something “different” for dinner. This was gobbled up in minutes with immediate requests to make it again very soon!

    • — Jess on February 15, 2024
    • Reply

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