Shortcut Homemade Stromboli

This Homemade Italian Stromboli is quick and easy to make using a shortcut - pre-made dough.  It's vegetarian with mozzarella cheese, spinach, mushrooms, roasted red peppers, and Homemade Italian Seasoning, but you can customize it with any toppings you'd like including pepperoni or Italian meats. 

Serve it with a marinara sauce for dipping, for an irresistible 30-minute family meal is one you will make again and again.

Homemade Italian Stromboli Recipe

This Homemade Italian Stromboli recipe is the perfect quick and easy family meal.  This simple, shortcut version is made with pre-made refrigerated dough and filled with your favorite toppings.  I made my version vegetarian with spinach, mushrooms, and roasted red peppers, but this recipe is easily customizable to your family's favorite pizza toppings including different veggies or Italian meats like pepperoni, prosciutto, capicoli, or salami... or whatever else you like on a pizza.

A stromboli is a delightful twist on standard pizza where you start with either Italian bread dough or pizza dough, fill it with pizza toppings, roll it back up into a loaf and bake it to golden perfection.  It's then sliced and served with jarred or Homemade Marinara sauce for a family meal that everyone will love.  How can you go wrong with rolled up pizza?

I like to serve this for dinner, but it also works great sliced up as an appetizer or game day snack.  The cheesy slices are perfect for dipping!

My version uses a big shortcut- making it a super EASY Homemade Stromboli recipe - premade dough meaning you can get this family dinner on the table in just around 30 minutes start to finish!

Stromboli vs Calzone?

The main difference between a stromboli and a calzone is how they are folded and sealed.  A stromboli is a pizza rolled up, jelly-roll style, into a loaf.  It's sliced and you get toppings in each slice.  A calzone is more like a pizza folded in half with the edges crimped and baked.

History of the Stromboli

The stromboli is actually not authentically Italian. It was first made in a Philadelphia pizza shop, Romano's Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria,  in the 1950s.  While calzones are technically more authentically Italian, both twists on pizza night are equally delicious.

Why You'll Love this Homemade Italian Stromboli Recipe...

• This Homemade Italian Stromboli recipe is customizable to your family's favorite toppings!  You can make it either vegetarian or meat-filled and you can even make two easily if your family can't agree on toppings.
• It's made with pre-made dough - no mess with flour here!
• The kids can help you fill the dough.
• It's an EASY 30-minute meal that looks impressive.
• You can make it ahead and bake it when you are ready to eat it.
• It's so tasty and delicious.

Ingredients:

Here's an overview of what you'll need to make this Homemade Italian Stromboli recipe, but keep reading for the full recipe amounts.

• Dough: You'll need either Italian bread dough, French Bread dough, or pizza dough.  I like to use refrigerated, canned french bread loaf because it browns and cooks nicely and I like the taste of it a bit more.  You can also use refrigerated canned pizza dough or pizza crust.  You can also often buy a single recipe of pizza dough at the bakery section of the grocery store or your local pizza shop.  To prep, the dough, just unfold it.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Use shredded mozzarella cheese or your favorite Italian Cheese Blend including probolone.
• Parmesan Cheese: I like to mix up the cheese, with some shredded parmesan cheese too.
• Toppings: You'll need about 2 cups of toppings of your choice.  I used spinach, mushroom, and roasted bell peppers.  I included a long list of topping suggestions below.
• Italian Seasoning: I like using my homemade Italian Seasoning, but you can use your favorite store-bought Italian Seasoning too.  It's a mixture of basil, oregano, thyme, marjoram, and savory.
• Garlic Salt: I love adding garlic salt to my Italian dishes for the rich salty, garlic flavor it adds.  Garlic salt can be powerful though, so use it in moderation if you aren't used to it. If you are sensitive to sodium, you can also swap this for garlic powder. If you use garlic powder, use a little less.
• Olive Oil or Melted Butter: This is optional, but will help you get the golden brown crust on top of the stromboli. You'll use it to brush on the stromboli before baking.  If you are feeling extra fancy, you could also prepare an egg wash for the dough for browning.
• Marinara Sauce: Use your favorite jarred marinara sauce or Homemade Marinara sauce to serve as a dip on the side.
• Garnish: Optional fresh basil or fresh parsley.

Toppings

There are so many Italian Stromboli toppings to choose from! Here are some ideas.

• Pepperoni
• Capicola
• Salami
• Prosciutto
• Salami
• Deli Ham
• Bacon
• Italian Cold Cuts
• Sausage
• Spinach
• Basil
• Pesto
• Mushrooms
• Roasted Bell Peppers
• Olives
• Peppers
• Tomatoes - remove seeds so it doesn't make the stromboli soggy
• Roasted Broccoli
• Onions

Instructions:

Here are some step-by-step instructions, with photos, to make this Homemade Italian Stromboli recipe, but keep scrolling for the printable recipe.

1. Get out your dough.  Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.
2. Unroll the loaf of bread or pizza dough. Spread into a large rectangle on the baking sheet.
3. Sprinkle the dough with garlic salt and Italian Seasoning.  If you are sensitive to garlic or salt just use a little of the garlic salt.
4. Leaving a 1-2 inch barrier around the sides of the dough, add your toppings. Sprinkle again with garlic salt and Italian Seasoning.
5. Add the mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese to the top.
6. Next, you'll roll up the stromboli.  Fold over the ends of the stromboli and then carefully pull over the long sides, as shown in the photo below.  Seal it with your fingers.
7. Flip the entire loaf over so the seam side is on the bottom. Brush the top of the loaf with olive oil or melted butter. Sprinkle again with garlic salt and Italian Seasoning.
8. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
9. Slice with a serrated knife and serve with heated jarred marinara sauce on the side.

This is what the Homemade Italian Stromboli looks like coming out of the oven!  Nice and golden brown.

Variations

I love this Homemade Italian Stromboli recipe as written, but here are some fun ways to mix it up.

• Make it Saucy: Traditionally the sauce in stromboli is served on the side, but you can add it in a thin layer below the toppings.
• Make it Vegan: You can make this vegan by using vegetable toppings and swapping out the cheese for dairy-free cheese.
• Make it Meaty: Swap out the vegetables for your favorite Italian meats.
• Make it Spicy: Add red pepper flakes.

FAQ

What do I do with leftovers?

Store any leftover stromboli of the Homemade Italian Stromboli in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.  Reheat it in the oven at 400 degrees until warm.  You can also reheat it in the microwave for 30-second increments until warm, but it will not come out as crisp.

Can I freeze it?

I think this is best served fresh, but you can freeze it.  To freeze it, wrap any leftovers in foil and then put it in a freezer bag.  Freeze for up to three months.

Can I make this ahead of time?

YES! This recipe is actually a fabulous recipe to make ahead of time.  Prepare the entire recipe, including brushing the stromboli with olive oil or butter.  Store the un-baked loaf in the fridge until ready to cook.  Allow the loaf to come to room temperature, or close to it before baking.

Can I add pizza sauce?

Yes! Traditionally the pizza or marinara sauce is served on the side, but you can add a thin layer of marina sauce below the toppings if you'd prefer.

This Homemade Italian Stromboli is the Perfect Easy Dinner!

This Homemade Italian Stromboli is the perfect easy family dinner!  This recipe is one I have made for years because of how easy it is, how customizable it is and how everyone just loves it.  You can't go wrong with adding this meal to your weekly rotation.

As always, give it a try and let me know what you think.  Here are a few more ideas to round out your meal.  You are going to LOVE this Homemade Stromboli Recipe!

Make it a Meal:

• Italian Chopped Salad
• Kale Ceasar Salad
• Zesty Italian Pasta Salad
• Asparagus Tomato Salad with Feta
• Marinated Cherry Tomato Salad
• Tomato Basil Soup
• Crock Pot Marinara Sauce

More Easy Family Italian Dinner Recipes:

• Vegetarian Baked Spaghetti Squash Bake
• Zucchini Pizza Bites
• Healthy Pesto Pasta
• Kale Pasta
• No Noodle Zucchini Vegetarian Lasagna
• Twice Baked Spaghetti Squash Marinara
• No Boil Four Cheese Vegetarian Lasanga
• Caprese Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
• Caprese Pasta Salad

If you make this Homemade Italian Stromboli recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and a star rating ★ below. Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook too!

Homemade Italian Stromboli

Julie Wunder

This Homemade Italian Stromboli is quick and easy to make using a shortcut - pre-made dough.  It's vegetarian with mozzarella cheese, spinach, mushrooms, roasted red peppers, and Homemade Italian Seasoning, but you can customize it with any toppings you'd like including pepperoni or Italian meats.  This irresistible family meal is one you will make again and again.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine American, Italian

Servings 4

Calories 341 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 can refrigerated french bread loaf or pizza dough
• ¾ cup mozzerella cheese
• ¼ cup parmesan cheese
• 2 cups vegetable toppings - spinach, mushrooms, roasted red peppers
• 2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning
• ¼-1/2 teaspoon garlic salt, or to taste
• olive oil or melted butter
• jarred marinara sauce for dipping

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.
• Unroll the loaf of bread or pizza dough. Spread into a large rectangle.
  
• Sprinkle the dough with garlic salt and Italian Seasoning.
• Leaving a 1-2 inch barrier around the sides of the dough, add your toppings. Sprinkle again with garlic salt and Italian Seasoning.
  
• Add the mozzerella cheese and parmesan cheese to the top.
  
• Fold over the ends of the stromboli and them carefully pull over the long sides.
  
• Flip the entire loaf over so the seam is on the bottom. Brush the top of the loaf with olive oil or melted butter. Sprinkle again with garlic salt and Italian Seasoning.
  
• Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
  
• Slice and serve with heated jarred marinara sauce on the side.
  

Notes

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Reheat leftovers in either the microwave or a 400-degree oven.

Tip: Don't overfill or overcrowd the stromboli.  That can make it soggy or split while baking.

Nutrition

Calories: 341kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 16gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 21mgSodium: 1087mgPotassium: 187mgFiber: 2gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 208IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 198mgIron: 3mg

Keyword Easy Stromboli, Homemade Stromboli, Italian Stromboli

Tried this recipe?Mention @Julie_Wunder or tag #RunninginaSkirt!

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