Ultimate Stromboli Recipe - Chefjar (2024)

Want a delicious Italian meal? Try this Stromboli recipe! Explore various fillings and use either homemade or store-bought dough. Perfect for freezing or making ahead of time for a hassle-free meal.

What is Stromboli?

Stromboli is an Italian-American dish made from pizza dough rolled around various fillings such as cheeses, cold cuts, and vegetables, and then baked. It's similar to a calzone, but while a calzone is more of a stuffed pizza folded in half, a Stromboli is typically rolled up like a burrito. After baking, it's sliced to serve, revealing layers of fillings inside. It's often enjoyed with a side of marinara sauce or pizza sauce for dipping.

Stromboli Recipe

Thinking of making homemade Stromboli but feeling a bit nervous? Don't worry! It's easier than you think. All you're doing is wrapping up your favorite toppings in pizza dough and baking it. Easy as pie!

This guide shows you the classic way to make Stromboli, but feel free to get creative with the fillings. We've given you some pointers on the amount of meat and cheese, but you're in the driver's seat!

Don't miss our expert advice below, and tips on making it ahead or freezing for later. We've got your back!

✅ Homemade Stromboli Recipe Ingredients

Dough: If you have time and want a fresh taste, homemade dough is the way to go. However, if you're short on time, store-bought pizza dough will work perfectly for Stromboli. Look for ones that don't have additives or preservatives for the best flavor.

Filling:

• Melted Butter: This adds a rich flavor to the Stromboli. If you're watching your fat intake, you can use olive oil or a butter substitute.
• Minced Garlic: Fresh garlic offers the best taste, but in a pinch, you can use ½ teaspoon of garlic powder for each clove.
• Pizza Sauce: Homemade or store-bought both work. If you don't have pizza sauce, a marinara or a simple tomato sauce can be a substitute.
• Deli Turkey or Ham: This can be swapped with any deli meat you prefer, like roast beef or chicken. If you're vegetarian, grilled veggies or a meat substitute can be used.
• Provolone Cheese: If you can't find provolone, mozzarella or gouda can be good alternatives due to their melting properties.
• Salami: Feel free to swap with pepperoni, chorizo, or even a vegetarian-friendly meat substitute.
• Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: This cheese provides gooeyness. You can replace it with cheddar for a sharper taste or a dairy-free cheese if lactose intolerant.

Toppings:

• Egg Wash (Egg whisked with water): This gives the Stromboli a golden-brown finish. If you're allergic to eggs, you can use milk.
• Grated Parmesan Cheese: This adds a salty kick. If you don't have parmesan, try using pecorino or another hard, salty cheese.
• Fresh Parsley: Fresh basil or oregano can offer a different but equally delicious flavor profile.

🔪 How to Make Stromboli Dough

In your stand mixer's bowl, mix together the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Stir it lightly. Add water and oil, then mix until you have dough. Put the dough hook on the mixer and knead on medium-low for 5 to 7 minutes, until the dough is smooth and stretchy. You can also knead by hand if you prefer. The dough should be slightly sticky and stick a bit to the bowl's bottom. If it's too dry, add a spoonful of water. If too wet, add a spoonful of flour.

Flour your hands and shape the dough into a ball. Put it in your mixer's oiled bowl. Cover with plastic or a damp towel and let it rise in a warm place until it's twice its size, usually about an hour. This time helps the dough get stretchy without breaking. If you want, you can also let it rise slowly in the fridge overnight.

How To Make Stromboli

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Flatten the dough into a rectangle that's 10 by 14 inches. Then, brush the melted butter and garlic all over it.

Keep a 1-inch space empty at the top and around the other edges of the rectangle.

Brush on the pizza sauce. Then, add layers of deli turkey (or ham), provolone, salami, and sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over it.

Use the beaten egg to brush the dough's edges.

Start with one of the shorter ends of the dough, folding it a bit and pressing down to seal it. Do the same with the other short end to keep the fillings inside.

Start at one of the longer edges. Start to roll the dough over the fillings, much like you'd roll up a burrito or a towel. As you roll the dough, ensure it's snug to avoid air gaps, but not so tight that the fillings get pushed out.

Close it Up: When you get to the opposite side, fold and press the dough edges to lock in your Stromboli. Brush egg wash over the top and sides, then sprinkle on Parmesan cheese and parsley. Add 5 small cuts on top for ventilation. Gently move it to a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.

Bake for 25 minutes. For a golden-brown finish, brush a tablespoon of butter on the stromboli and bake for 2 more minutes. Let it cool for 5 minutes, then move to a cutting board to slice. Enjoy with some warm pizza sauce or marinara on the side for dipping!

Stromboli from Pizza Dough

Using pizza dough, you just add your favorite toppings like meats, cheeses, or veggies inside. Then, roll it up, bake it, and you get a yummy, filled roll that's crispy on the outside and full of flavors inside. It's fun to make, and even better to eat. Don't forget to dip it in some pizza sauce for an extra tasty touch!

Stromboli Vs. Calzone

Stromboli and Calzone are like close cousins in the pizza family! Imagine a pizza rolled up like a burrito – that's Stromboli. It has fillings inside and is baked. On the other hand, a Calzone is like a pizza folded in half, making a half-moon shape, with all its toppings tucked inside. Both are super yummy, but they have different shapes and sometimes different fillings. So, while they may seem similar, each has its own special twist!

👨‍🍳 Pro Tips

• Using Ready-Made Dough: You can use 1 lb. of dough from the store for this recipe. But making dough at home is easy and tastes even better! It's also strong enough to hold all the yummy stuff inside.
• Cheese Choice: Shred your own mozzarella from a block; it melts the best. Bags of pre-shredded cheese don't melt as nicely. Don't use fresh mozzarella; it's too watery.
• Helping the Dough Rise: If your dough isn't rising, try these tips:
  • Oven Trick: Warm your oven to 200° for a short 2 minutes, then turn it off. Put your dough in there. It'll rise with the warm air!
  • Microwave Trick: Boil a cup of water in the microwave for 2 minutes. Take out the water and put your dough inside. The leftover warmth helps it rise!

Making Ahead

Frozen Pizza Dough:

• Make the dough like the recipe says.
• Instead of getting it ready to bake, roll it into a ball.
• Spray a little non-stick spray on it.
• Wrap it up tight in cling wrap and put it in a freezer bag.
• You can keep it in the fridge for 3-4 days or freeze it for up to 4 months.

The Whole Stromboli:

• In the Fridge: Make the stromboli but use only a little sauce. The drier the inside, the better. Cover it and put it in the fridge. It's good for up to 8 hours.
• In the Freezer: Make the stromboli but don't brush with egg or make cuts on top. Dust it with some flour. Wrap it tight in cling wrap and then in foil. You can freeze it for up to 3 months. When you want to eat it, let it thaw in the fridge for a day while still wrapped. Before baking, brush with egg and cut some slits on top, then bake like the recipe says.

Stromboli Filling Ideas

BBQ Chicken: Cooked chicken pieces, red onions, cilantro, mozzarella, and BBQ sauce.

Breakfast Stromboli: Scrambled eggs, breakfast sausage, cheddar cheese, and sautéed bell peppers.

Philly Cheesesteak: Thinly sliced steak, sautéed onions, bell peppers, and provolone cheese.

Taco Stromboli: Ground beef with taco seasoning, diced tomatoes, jalapeños, cheddar cheese, and a sprinkle of cilantro.

Mediterranean Flavors: Spinach, kalamata olives, sundried tomatoes, feta cheese, and a hint of tzatziki sauce.

Chicken Alfredo: Cooked chicken strips, alfredo sauce, spinach, and mozzarella.

Pesto Veggie: Basil pesto, artichoke hearts, cherry tomatoes, spinach, and goat cheese.

🗄️ How to Store and Reheat

• Storing: Put your stromboli in a sealed container. You can keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• Freezing Leftovers: Once your leftovers are cold, wrap them in foil and freeze. When you're ready to eat, let them sit out and warm up for about an hour.
• Reheating: Set your oven to 350°. Put your stromboli in, covered lightly with foil. Heat for 20-30 minutes. How long it takes depends on how big the piece is.

❓ FAQs

More Delicious Pizza Recipes To Try!!!

Pizza Pasta

Air Fryer Frozen Pizza

Homemade Neapolitan Pizza (Pizza Napoletana)

Buffalo Chicken Pizza

Thin Crust Pizza Dough

Pierogi Pizza Recipe

If you make this recipebe sure to leave a comment or give this recipe a rating⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐! I will be happy to hear from you!

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