If you are craving a hearty, irresistible meal that combines savory Italian meats with melty cheese and crispy golden crust, look no further than this Classic Meat-Lover Stromboli Recipe. This stromboli is a fiesta of flavors wrapped in soft, freshly baked pizza dough that’s perfect for sharing with friends and family. Whether for a comforting dinner or a crowd-pleasing party dish, this recipe hits every note—from the tangy pizza sauce to the rich layers of salami, ham, and pepperoni, all coming together in a beautifully golden bundle of deliciousness.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the key to nailing this recipe. Each item plays a crucial role in building that perfect balance of flavor, texture, and color that makes the Classic Meat-Lover Stromboli Recipe so special and satisfying.
- Pizza dough: Choose a good quality dough for a soft yet chewy crust that holds all the fillings together perfectly.
- Pizza sauce (½ cup): The tomato-based sauce adds bright acidity and moisture, complementing the meats.
- Mozzarella cheese (1 ½ cups, shredded): This melts beautifully to create that classic creamy, gooey texture inside.
- Salami (10-12 slices): Adds a spicy, robust flavor with its slightly chewy texture.
- Deli ham (12 thin slices): Offers a mild, smoky contrast to the sharper meats.
- Pepperoni (12-13 slices): Brings a familiar peppery kick that’s a true pizza favorite.
- Egg (1, beaten): Used for brushing to give the crust that beautiful golden shine and to help seal the dough.
- Garlic powder (¼ tsp): Sprinkled on top for an aromatic, savory boost.
- Grated Parmesan cheese (2 tbsp): Adds a salty, nutty crust enhancement after baking.
- Additional pizza sauce (for dipping): Perfect for dunking every slice in extra flavor.
- Fresh parsley (for garnish): Brightens the finished dish visually and adds a fresh herbal note.
How to Make Classic Meat-Lover Stromboli Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Start by rolling out your room-temperature pizza dough into a large rectangle about 12 by 14 inches on parchment paper. This forms the sturdy base that will hold all your delicious fillings. Transferring the parchment paper to a baking sheet makes handling and baking much easier.
Step 2: Add Sauce and Cheese
Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, but be sure to leave a 2-inch border around the edges—this space is critical to sealing up your stromboli later. Follow that with a generous layer of shredded mozzarella, which melts into gooey perfection, melding all the flavors inside.
Step 3: Layer the Meats
Next, arrange the salami, ham, and pepperoni slices on top of the cheese in a single, even layer. These three meats are the star trio of the Classic Meat-Lover Stromboli Recipe, each contributing its own unique richness and spice, making each bite decadently flavorful.
Step 4: Roll and Seal
Brush the exposed dough edges with beaten egg; this acts like edible glue. Then, starting from one long edge, carefully roll the dough up tightly like a jelly roll. Pinch and tuck the seams underneath to seal all those tasty layers inside so nothing escapes during baking.
Step 5: Egg Wash and Season
Brush the entire top surface of the stromboli with the remaining beaten egg to create that beautiful golden finish. Sprinkle on the grated Parmesan and garlic powder for an extra layer of flavor and a savory crust that’s simply irresistible.
Step 6: Score and Bake
Make shallow diagonal cuts every 2 inches across the top to allow steam to escape and help the crust bake evenly. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 25 to 30 minutes until the crust turns golden brown and the bottom is nicely browned, ensuring the meat and cheese are cooked through.
Step 7: Cool and Slice
Once out of the oven, let your stromboli rest for a few minutes; this helps the fillings set so the slices hold their shape beautifully. Cut into 8 to 10 slices with a sharp serrated knife and finish by sprinkling fresh parsley on top for a pop of color and freshness.
How to Serve Classic Meat-Lover Stromboli Recipe
Garnishes
Adding fresh parsley not only brings a lovely vibrant green contrast against the golden crust, but its bright flavor enhances the meaty richness of the stromboli. Feel free to add a little extra grated Parmesan over the top for a cheesy finish.
Side Dishes
This stromboli pairs beautifully with simple sides like a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables to cut through the richness. Garlic bread or soft breadsticks also complement the meal, along with a bowl of extra pizza sauce for dipping.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party or casual gathering, slice the Classic Meat-Lover Stromboli Recipe into bite-sized pieces and serve with individual dipping cups of pizza sauce. You can also stack slices on a platter, alternating with small fresh herb sprigs for an elevated look that invites everyone to dig in.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap leftover stromboli tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate. It will stay fresh for 3 to 4 days, making it a perfect next-day lunch or quick dinner option.
Freezing
You can freeze unbaked, rolled stromboli by wrapping it securely in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 2 months. When ready, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as usual for fresh-out-of-the-oven goodness.
Reheating
Reheat slices in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 to 15 minutes to restore crispness and melt any cheese that’s tightened up. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep the crust nicely crisp rather than soggy.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought pizza dough for this recipe?
Absolutely! Store-bought dough works wonderfully and saves time, just make sure it’s fresh and brought to room temperature before rolling out.
What other meats can I add to the Classic Meat-Lover Stromboli Recipe?
Feel free to experiment with cooked Italian sausage, bacon, or even prosciutto to customize your stromboli to your favorite meat combinations.
How do I prevent the stromboli from getting soggy?
Leaving a 2-inch border free of sauce and cheese during assembly helps. Also, baking on a parchment-lined baking sheet allows heat circulation, preventing sogginess from moisture.
Can I prepare the stromboli ahead and bake it later?
Yes! Assemble it and keep it wrapped tightly in the fridge for up to a day before baking. Bring it to room temperature before putting it in the oven for best results.
Is the Classic Meat-Lover Stromboli Recipe suitable for feeding a crowd?
Definitely. It slices into 8 to 10 generous servings and can easily be doubled or tripled for larger gatherings.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like the comfort and joy of pulling a warm, golden stromboli out of the oven packed with your favorite meats and melty cheese. This Classic Meat-Lover Stromboli Recipe is one of those dishes that brings people together with every bite. I encourage you to give it a try—it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will quickly become a beloved staple in your recipe collection!
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Classic Meat-Lover Stromboli Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This Classic Stromboli recipe features a golden, crispy crust filled with layers of savory salami, ham, pepperoni, and melted mozzarella cheese, wrapped in homemade pizza dough and baked to perfection. It’s a crowd-pleasing Italian-American dish perfect for a hearty appetizer or main course, served with warm pizza sauce for dipping and garnished with fresh parsley.
Ingredients
Dough and Sauce
- 1 pizza dough (room temperature)
- ½ cup pizza sauce
Cheese
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
Meats
- 10–12 slices of salami
- 12 thin slices of deli ham
- 12–13 slices of pepperoni
Other Ingredients
- 1 egg, beaten
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- Additional pizza sauce, for dipping
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Dough: Roll the room-temperature pizza dough out into a large rectangle, approximately 12×14 inches, on a piece of parchment paper. Transfer the parchment paper with the dough onto a baking sheet.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 2-inch border around all edges. Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce layer.
- Add Meats: Layer the salami, ham, and pepperoni slices evenly over the mozzarella cheese to ensure every bite has a perfect balance of flavors.
- Roll and Seal: Brush the edges of the dough with the beaten egg to act as an adhesive. Starting from one long edge, roll the dough tightly into a jelly roll shape. Pinch the edges together and tuck them under the stromboli to fully seal in the fillings.
- Egg Wash and Season: Brush the entire top surface of the stromboli with the remaining beaten egg. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese and garlic powder evenly over the top for flavor and a golden crust.
- Score and Bake: Make shallow diagonal cuts on the top of the stromboli every 2 inches to allow steam to escape during baking. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes or until the top turns a deep golden brown. Ensure the bottom is browned and fully cooked through by lifting the stromboli gently.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the stromboli to rest for a few minutes before slicing it into 8-10 pieces with a sharp serrated knife. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm alongside extra pizza sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Room temperature dough is easier to roll and prevents cracking during shaping.
- Use a serrated knife to slice the stromboli to maintain clean cuts without tearing.
- The shallow scoring on top helps prevent the stromboli from bursting or cracking while baking.
- Feel free to customize the meat and cheese fillings to your preference.
- Letting the stromboli rest after baking helps the cheese to set slightly for easier slicing.
