Description
This homemade stromboli recipe offers a delicious, cheesy Italian-American main course that’s easy to prepare and perfect for family meals or casual gatherings. Featuring a golden-baked pizza dough rolled with savory pepperoni, melted mozzarella, and flavorful seasonings, it’s served warm with marinara sauce for dipping.
Ingredients
Scale
Stromboli Dough and Sauce
- 1 ball pizza dough (store-bought or homemade, about 1 pound)
- 1/2 cup marinara or pizza sauce (plus more for dipping)
Fillings
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni or cooked Italian sausage (optional)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Optional: sautéed onions, bell peppers, or mushrooms
Finishing
- 1 egg (beaten, for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for brushing)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly flour the surface to prevent sticking.
- Roll Out Dough: Roll the pizza dough into a large rectangle, approximately 10 by 14 inches, ensuring it’s evenly stretched for uniform baking.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce over the dough, leaving about a 1-inch border around the edges. Then, evenly sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
- Layer Fillings: Distribute the sliced pepperoni or cooked Italian sausage over the cheese, add any optional sautéed vegetables, then sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning over the top for enhanced flavor.
- Roll the Stromboli: Carefully roll up the dough from the long edge, tucking and tightening like a jelly roll. Pinch the seam closed securely and tuck the ends underneath to seal the fillings inside.
- Prepare for Baking: Place the stromboli seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the top with the beaten egg wash to give a shiny, golden crust and cut 3–4 slits on top to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the stromboli is golden brown and cooked through.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the stromboli from the oven and let it rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm with extra marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Stromboli is very versatile – feel free to add your favorite meats, cheeses, or vegetables based on preference.
- Avoid overfilling the dough to prevent leaks during baking.
- You can make the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for convenience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
