Prep Time: 20 minutes | Bake Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes | Serves: 4 people
This easy Italian stromboli is like a pizza rolled up into a delicious bread! It’s stuffed with ham, salami, pepperoni, and cheese, then baked until golden brown. Perfect for dinner, lunch, or when you want something tasty and filling. Even kids can help make this fun recipe!
What You Need (Ingredients)
- 1 tube of Pillsbury pizza crust
- 8 slices of deli ham
- 10 slices of Genoa salami
- 12 slices of sandwich pepperoni
- 8 slices of provolone cheese or mozzarella (shredded cheese works too)
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons of chopped parsley
- 3 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese
How to Make Italian Stromboli (Step by Step)
Step 1: Get Your Oven Ready
Heat your oven to the temperature shown on your pizza crust package (usually around 425°F). This makes sure your stromboli bakes evenly.
Step 2: Make the Garlic Butter Topping
Put the butter in a small microwave-safe bowl and heat it until melted (about 30 seconds). Mix in the chopped garlic, parsley, and Parmesan cheese. Stir everything together and set it aside.
Step 3: Prepare Your Baking Sheet
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This stops the stromboli from sticking and makes cleanup easy.
Step 4: Stretch Out the Pizza Dough
Take your pizza crust out of the tube and stretch it on the baking sheet. Make it almost as big as your baking sheet, but leave a little space around the edges.
Step 5: Layer Your Meats
Now for the fun part! Start layering your meats on the pizza dough:
- First, lay down all the ham slices
- Next, add the salami slices on top
- Finally, put the pepperoni slices on top of everything
Step 6: Add the Cheese
Place your cheese slices over all the meat. If you’re using shredded cheese, sprinkle it evenly over the top. Don’t go all the way to the edges – leave about 1 inch of space.
Step 7: Roll It Up
Here’s the tricky part, but don’t worry! Starting from one long side, carefully roll the dough over the filling like you’re making a big burrito. Roll slowly and keep the filling inside. When you get to the end, pinch the seam closed so nothing falls out.
Step 8: Seal the Ends
Pinch the ends of the dough and tuck them under the stromboli. This keeps all the good stuff inside while it bakes.
Step 9: Make Steam Holes
Use a sharp knife to make 3-4 small cuts on top of your stromboli. These holes let steam escape so your stromboli doesn’t burst open.
Step 10: Add the Garlic Butter
Brush your garlic butter mixture all over the top of the stromboli. This gives it a golden color and amazing flavor.
Step 11: Bake Your Stromboli
Put the stromboli in your hot oven and bake for the same time as shown on the pizza dough package (usually 20-25 minutes). It’s done when the top is golden brown.
Step 12: Cool and Slice
Let your stromboli cool for 5-10 minutes before cutting. This helps it hold together better. Use a sharp knife to cut it into thick slices.
Pro Tips for Perfect Stromboli
- Don’t overfill: Too much filling makes it hard to roll and can cause it to burst open
- Seal well: Make sure to pinch all the edges closed so the cheese doesn’t leak out
- Let it rest: Cooling for a few minutes before cutting helps it slice better
- Save leftovers: Stromboli tastes great the next day too!
Easy Variations to Try
- Veggie Stromboli: Use mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, and spinach instead of meat
- Chicken Stromboli: Try cooked chicken, bacon, and ranch dressing
- Pizza Stromboli: Add pizza sauce inside with your favorite pizza toppings
- Breakfast Stromboli: Use scrambled eggs, bacon, and breakfast sausage
What to Serve With Stromboli
Your Italian stromboli goes great with:
- Marinara sauce for dipping
- Caesar salad or simple green salad
- Garlic bread
- Italian sodas or lemonade
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover stromboli in your fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, wrap slices in foil and warm in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes. You can also microwave individual slices for 30-60 seconds.
Why This Recipe Works
This easy stromboli recipe uses store-bought pizza dough, so you don’t have to make dough from scratch. The combination of three different meats gives it amazing flavor, and the garlic butter on top makes it taste like it came from an Italian restaurant.
Perfect for Any Time
This homemade stromboli is great for:
- Family dinner nights
- Game day snacks
- Lunch boxes (serve cold)
- Party food (cut into smaller pieces)
- Weekend cooking projects
Try this delicious Italian stromboli recipe and enjoy a taste of Italy right at home!
