Easy Italian Stromboli Recipe

This authentic Italian stromboli recipe really delivers on true Italian flavours. It’s an Italian-American dish that was first created in South Philly where many Italian immigrants were living. It tastes like pizza rolled into an Italian sandwich and it’s a great way to change up pizza night. So try this easy Italian stromboli if you love deli meats, cheese and rich Italian flavours as much as I do.

Homemade stromboli slices laying on a wood cutting board with a bowl of marinara sauce for dipping beside it.

This post may contain affiliate links, please see the privacy policy for details.

Homemade stromboli is a delicious pizza roll made with store bought pizza dough (or homemade dough if you prefer) along with various Italian deli meats and cheeses. Garlic, Italian seasoning and fresh herbs add yet more flavour.

Overhead photo of homemade stromboli slices laying on a wood cutting board with a bowl of marinara sauce for dipping beside it.

Italian Stromboli Ingredients

So what do you need to make this easy stromboli at home? First up, you will need pizza dough, and the readymade kind from the store works fine, or you could use frozen bread dough if you prefer. Italian bread dough is always a good choice. The nice thing about homemade pizza dough is that you can make it cheaper and make it a gluten free stromboli if you wish.

Ingredients for an easy Italian stromboli laid out on a table. It uses pre-made pizza dough to make it an easy recipe.

This tasty sandwich roll is filled with four kinds of deli meats, two kinds of cheese and some garlic. You can mix and match the deli meats and cheeses, as you prefer. You need an egg, some water, parmesan cheese, garlic powder and Italian seasoning for the egg wash that’s brushed on top.

Homemade stromboli slices laying on a wood cutting board with a bowl of marinara sauce for dipping beside it.

To serve the Italian stromboli recipe, you’ll need freshly chopped parsley and basil, plus marinara sauce or your favourite kind of tomato sauce or pizza sauce. Switch the fresh parsley for a pinch of dried oregano if you prefer.

Homemade stromboli slices on a plate that have been dipped into some marinara or pizza sauce.

How to Make Homemade Stromboli

This easy stromboli recipe that tastes like a baked Italian sandwich is really simple to prepare. Once you’ve gathered your deli meats, cheese, pizza dough and other ingredients you’re ready to prepare this recipe for Italian stromboli that’s perfect for pizza night if you want to make something a little different.

Overhead photo of homemade stromboli slices on a plate.

Blending the best traditional Italian flavours, this Italian stromboli recipe with pizza dough is bound to be a hit with everyone – the whole family will love it. So let’s take a look at how you make it.

Homemade stromboli slices laying on a wood cutting board with a bowl of marinara sauce for dipping beside it.

First of all, roll your pizza dough out on a cutting board, making a large rectangle of about 12 x 9 inches. Next mix the garlic with the butter and brush this over the dough.

Homemade stromboli slices laying on a wood cutting board with a bowl of marinara sauce for dipping beside it.

Arrange the Italian meats and cheeses evenly over the dough. Roll it up like a log, jelly-roll style, and brush some egg wash over it. Sprinkle over some garlic powder and Italian seasoning.

A homemade stromboli fresh out of the oven before it is cut. It is golden brown with crispy parmesan cheese and herbs on top.

Bake this classic Italian stromboli recipe on a baking sheet with parchment paper in the oven for 20 minutes until golden brown. Dust some parmesan on top of the baked stromboli and give it another 10 minutes of baking time.

Homemade stromboli slices laying on a wood cutting board with a bowl of marinara sauce for dipping beside it.

Add some herbs for garnish, slice and serve with homemade marinara sauce for dipping. In a rush? You can use canned sauce in place of marinara sauce.

A hand dipping a stromboli in some marinara sauce.

And how about some pignoli cookies for dessert to keep the Italian theme running?

Homemade stromboli slices laying on a wood cutting board with a bowl of marinara sauce for dipping beside it.

Stromboli and Calzone: What’s the Difference?

A traditional Italian stromboli and calzone are different dishes but similar. Stromboli is made with rolled up dough while calzone is a folded dough circle. Since both dishes have Italian meats and cheese inside, they’re pretty similar. It’s just the form that’s different. They are both easy recipes worth trying!

Homemade stromboli slices laying on a wood cutting board with a bowl of marinara sauce for dipping beside it.

Homemade Stromboli – Tips and Tricks

One of the great things about an authentic Italian stromboli recipe is you can tweak it however you wish. You can use your favorite meats and cheeses in place of what the recipe suggests. Maybe you want gooey mozzarella cheese or you adore pecorino romano. Add any of your favorite pizza toppings like bell pepper to add to the traditional Italian flavors.

Homemade stromboli slices laying on a wood cutting board with a bowl of marinara sauce for dipping beside it.

The same applies to the meats. Prefer different Italian meats than the recipe suggests? Go ahead and use whatever you want in there – perhaps pepperoni if that’s a pizza topping you love. In fact, any sliced meats and cheeses work here. In this recipe I have used capicola, ham, prosciuttini and Genoa salami but Italian salami, Italian sausage or pepperoni would be great choices, too.

Close up of Italian stromboli slices laying on a wood cutting board.

Homemade Stromboli FAQs

How do I keep my homemade stromboli from getting soggy?

Stromboli shouldn’t come out soggy unless you get carried away with how much meat and cheese you add. Add too much and you might get this issue. Also, an over-stuffed stromboli might split, so don’t add any more than a thin layer each of meat and cheese. Never add sauce inside the stromboli either, because this will definitely lead to a soggy result!

Can I make this keto-friendly?

Yes you can! In fact, since this dish is based on meat and cheese, the only ingredient you need to change is the pizza dough. Try this King Arthur keto wheat pizza crust mix instead of regular dough.

Can you make Italian stromboli recipe in advance?

Yes, you can. Prepare it up to 24 hours ahead and keep it wrapped in plastic wrap or an airtight container in the refrigerator, then just bake it the following day.

Can you freeze stromboli?

Perhaps you want to make a batch of Italian meat stromboli or you’d like to freeze uncooked stromboli in portions for speedy weeknight dinners. If so, don’t add the egg wash because it flakes off when frozen. Apply it once you’ve thawed it instead.

Cut it into slices then freeze them on a baking sheet. Once frozen, you can wrap each slice in plastic wrap and then put them in a freezer bag. Squeeze the air out and seal. Alternatively you can use foil rather than a freezer bag to prevent freezer burn.

Why is it called a stromboli?

It’s named after the Italian island of Stromboli which is off Sicily’s north coast and famed for Mount Stromboli, an active volcano.

Close up of Italian stromboli slices laying on a wood cutting board.

Italian Stromboli Recipe

Homemade stromboli slices laying on a wood cutting board with a bowl of marinara sauce for dipping beside it.

Italian Stromboli Recipe

Course: Main Course, Meals
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: pizza
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 9
Calories: 639kcal
Author: Bella Bucchiotti
This authentic Italian stromboli recipe really delivers on true Italian flavours. It tastes like pizza rolled into an Italian sandwich and it's a great way to change up pizza night. So try this easy Italian stromboli if you love deli meats, cheese and rich Italian flavours.
Print Save

Ingredients

  • 1.5 Pounds pizza dough
  • 8 slices ham
  • 8 slices capicola
  • 8 slices provolone cheese
  • 8 slices mozzarella cheese
  • 8 slices salami Genoa
  • 8 slices prosciuttini
  • 2 Tablespoons salted butter melted
  • ½ Teaspoon garlic purée or minced
  • egg wash
  • 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 Tablespoon Garlic powder
  • Parmesan cheese

Garnish and sides

  • fresh basil chopped
  • fresh parsley chopped
  • marinara sauce or pizza sauce

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Lightly flour a wooden cutting board. Roll out the dough into a rectangle about 9×12”
  • Combine melted butter with garlic purée and whisk well.
  • Brush dough with melted butter.
  • Lay meat and cheese over the dough.
  • Tightly roll into a log. Place on baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  • Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with Italian seasoning and garlic powder.
  • Place into the oven on the bottom rack. Bake for 20 minutes.
  • Remove and dust with parmesan. Back into the oven for 10 minutes more.

Nutrition

Calories: 639kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 114mg | Sodium: 1744mg | Potassium: 441mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 409IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 268mg | Iron: 1mg
Join me on Facebook!Like @XOXOBellaBucchiotti on Facebook for more recipe ideas

The nutrition information provided are only estimates based on an online nutritional calculator. I am not a certified nutritionist. Please consult a professional nutritionist or doctor for accurate information and any dietary restrictions and concerns you may have.

This easy Italian stromboli is really good. Boasting various Italian cheeses and meats, this homemade stromboli makes a change from pizza and it’s truly simple to prepare. You will love this homemade stromboli recipe because it combines all the delicious qualities we love in pizza, but stuffed in a warm dough pocket.

Other Recipes You Will Love

Bella Bucchiotti

Bella Bucchiotti is a storyteller, food lover, dog mom and adventure seeker living on the Pacific coast. She shares her passion for food, dogs, fitness, adventures, travel and philanthropy, in hopes of encouraging followers to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places and stand for a cause. Bella lives with Type 1 Diabetes and Celiac Disease.

Newsletter!

Welcome to xoxoBella! You will find delicious recipes, travel inspiration and information on all the things that Bella loves.

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




  1. Tracy wrote:

    5 stars
    This is a favorite! YUM!

    Posted 1.16.23 Reply
  2. Rachna wrote:

    5 stars
    This is so interesting and looks delicious. I have never had stromboli. Definitely giving this a try.

    Posted 1.16.23 Reply
  3. Lara wrote:

    5 stars
    WOW! This Stromboli was delicious! It came out just like the one from my favorite pizza place (but for half the price)! Will be making it again!

    Posted 1.17.23 Reply
  4. Jenn wrote:

    5 stars
    This was amazing! It was like meaty cheesy bread all rolled up into a nice spiral! Dipped it into some marinara sauce and dinner was delish!

    Posted 1.17.23 Reply
  5. Erin wrote:

    5 stars
    My son and I made this and had so much fun! He was thrilled, as was I. We’re going to make this again next weekend! Thanks for the tip on freezing. We’ll double it next time and freeze one!

    Posted 1.17.23 Reply
  6. John wrote:

    I don’t see a temp. for making the stromboli.

    Posted 1.19.23 Reply
    • Bella wrote:

      I added that back in. It is 350 degrees F. It must have been deleted by mistake when I was making another update.

      Posted 1.19.23 Reply