This Easy Italian Stromboli Recipe is one of my favorite family dinners because it’s packed with layers of ham, salami, pepperoni, gooey mozzarella cheese, and rolled inside refrigerated pizza dough for a meal that’s both impressive and incredibly easy to make. It’s the perfect recipe for busy weeknights, game day gatherings, or anytime you’re craving homemade pizza without all the work.

close up of italian stromboli with ham, pepperoni , salami, mozzarella

If you’ve never made homemade stromboli before, don’t worry—it’s much easier than it looks. Using refrigerated pizza crust keeps prep simple while still giving you a golden, crispy crust that tastes like it came from your favorite Italian restaurant. Just layer the meats and cheese, roll everything up, brush it with garlic butter, and bake until perfectly golden. Serve each slice with warm pizza sauce for dipping, and watch it disappear.

Recipes like this are exactly why I always keep pizza dough in my refrigerator. It’s perfect for creating easy dinners that feel a little more special, just like my One Pan Creamy Pasta, Marry Me Tortellini, French Onion Chicken Bake. They’re simple enough for a weeknight but delicious enough to serve when friends and family come over.

Whether you’re making this easy Italian stromboli for dinner, slicing it into appetizers for a party, or saving leftovers for lunch the next day, it’s one of those recipes everyone asks for again and again. Once you see how simple it is to make, you’ll want to add it to your regular dinner rotation.

Ingredients

You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make this easy Italian Stromboli recipe. Most of these are pantry staples or can be found in the deli section of your local grocery store, making this a great last-minute dinner idea.

Refrigerated pizza crust – Store-bought pizza dough creates a perfectly golden, flaky crust while keeping this recipe quick and easy enough for busy weeknights.
Pizza sauce – A thin layer of pizza sauce adds classic Italian flavor inside the stromboli, and extra sauce is perfect for dipping after baking.
Thinly sliced deli ham – Ham adds a mild, savory flavor that pairs perfectly with the other Italian meats without overpowering them.
Sliced deli salami – Salami brings rich, bold flavor and gives the stromboli that classic Italian deli taste.
Sliced deli pepperoni – Pepperoni adds a little spice and plenty of flavor, making every bite taste just like your favorite pizza.
Grated mozzarella cheese – Mozzarella melts beautifully and creates the gooey, cheesy center that makes stromboli so irresistible. Freshly grated cheese melts especially well.
Italian seasoning – This blend of herbs adds authentic Italian flavor and ties all of the fillings together.
Melted butter – Brushing melted butter over the top helps create a beautifully golden, crisp crust while adding rich flavor.
Garlic powder – Mixed with the butter, garlic powder creates a delicious garlic butter topping that takes the crust to the next level.
Dried parsley – A sprinkle of parsley adds a pop of color and the perfect finishing touch after baking.

How to Make Italian Stromboli

This easy Italian Stromboli comes together in just a few simple steps and bakes up perfectly golden with a crispy crust and cheesy center.

Preheat the oven. Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Prepare the dough. Roll out the refrigerated pizza crust into a large rectangle on a lightly floured surface if needed

Add the sauce. Spread a thin, even layer of pizza sauce over the dough, leaving about a 1-inch border around the edges.

Layer the fillings. Arrange half of the ham over the pizza sauce, then sprinkle with about one-third of the mozzarella cheese.

Add the salami, followed by another one-third of the mozzarella. Finish with the pepperoni and the remaining mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle the Italian seasoning evenly over the top.

Roll the stromboli. Starting with one of the long sides, tightly roll the dough into a log, just like a cinnamon roll. Pinch the seam and both ends closed to keep the filling inside.

Transfer to the baking sheet. Place the stromboli seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Using a sharp knife, cut 3–4 small slits across the top to allow steam to escape while baking.

Brush with garlic butter. Stir the garlic powder into the melted butter and brush it generously over the top of the stromboli. Sprinkle with dried parsley.

Bake. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the crust is deep golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Rest and serve. Let the stromboli cool for 5–10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm with extra pizza sauce for dipping, if desired.

Watch How to Make It

Expert Tips

These simple tips will help you make the best homemade Italian Stromboli every time.

Don’t overfill the stromboli. It can be tempting to pack in extra meat and cheese, but overfilling makes it much harder to roll and can cause the filling to leak out while baking.
Leave a border around the edges. Keeping about an inch of dough uncovered makes it much easier to seal the stromboli tightly and prevents the cheese from escaping.
Slice a few vents in the top. A few small slits allow steam to escape, helping the crust bake evenly without becoming soggy.
Use freshly grated mozzarella. Freshly grated cheese melts smoother than pre-shredded cheese, giving you those gooey cheese pulls everyone loves.
Let it rest before slicing. Waiting 5–10 minutes allows the cheese to set slightly, making cleaner slices and keeping the filling inside.
Serve with warm pizza sauce. While the stromboli is delicious on its own, dipping each slice in warm pizza sauce makes it even better.

italian stromboli on wood platter with pizza sauce

Variations

One of the best things about this easy Italian Stromboli recipe is how customizable it is. Once you master the basic recipe, there are endless ways to change up the fillings depending on what your family enjoys.

Add more cheese. Mix mozzarella with provolone, parmesan, or shredded Italian cheese for even more flavor.
Include vegetables. Sautéed mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, spinach, or banana peppers all make delicious additions. Be sure to cook vegetables first to remove excess moisture.
Try different meats. Swap the ham for turkey, add cooked Italian sausage, roast beef, or capicola for a different flavor combination.
Make it spicy. Add crushed red pepper flakes, spicy pepperoni, or sliced hot peppers for a little heat.
Brush with garlic parmesan butter. Mix grated parmesan into the melted butter before brushing it over the top for an extra flavorful crust.

What to Serve with Italian Stromboli

Since this homemade stromboli is packed with meat and cheese, it pairs well with lighter side dishes that round out the meal.

Some of our favorite sides include:

Caesar salad
Italian chopped salad
Garlic green beans
Roasted broccoli
Pasta salad
Fresh fruit
Potato chips for an easy family dinner
Warm pizza sauce or marinara for dipping

If you’re serving this for game day or a party, slice it into smaller pieces and pair it with other appetizers for an easy spread everyone will love.

dipping italian stromboli into pizza sauce

Make Ahead and Storage

This easy Italian Stromboli is perfect for meal prep because it stores and reheats beautifully.

Make Ahead

Assemble the stromboli up to one day in advance, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake. When ready, brush with the garlic butter mixture and bake as directed.

Refrigerator

Store leftover stromboli in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Freezer

Wrap individual slices or the whole cooled stromboli tightly in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Reheating

For the crispiest crust, reheat slices in a 350°F oven or air fryer until heated through. While the microwave works for convenience, the crust will be softer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a stromboli and a calzone?

Although they’re similar, a stromboli is rolled into a log before baking, while a calzone is folded over like a half-moon and sealed around the edges. Stromboli is typically sliced into individual servings, making it great for sharing.

Can I make stromboli with refrigerated pizza dough?

Absolutely! Refrigerated pizza dough is one of the easiest ways to make homemade stromboli. It saves time while still creating a golden, crispy crust that’s perfect for wrapping around the meat and cheese filling.

Can Italian Stromboli be frozen?

Yes! Stromboli freezes extremely well. You can freeze it either before or after baking. Once thawed, simply bake or reheat until warmed through for an easy meal that’s ready whenever you need it.