Kids love this recipe—every time I announce Pizza Stromboli for dinner, there are smiles all around. If you enjoy pizza, you’ll enjoy this simple, family-friendly twist on classic Italian flavors.
What is a stromboli?
Stromboli is a baked turnover typically filled with cheeses (usually mozzarella), Italian meats or vegetables, and made with pizza or Italian bread dough. Though its exact origins and definition vary, a stromboli generally differs from a calzone by being rolled or folded differently and often enclosing the sauce inside.
I can’t remember where I first found this version, but I’m glad I did. My kids help shape the dough and it feeds more of them than calzones do because of its size and shape. It’s a forgiving recipe—whether you call it a stromboli, a braided pizza bread, or a stuffed loaf, it’s bound to become a household favorite.
Start with a basic pizza dough—homemade works best and is both inexpensive and easy to make. Once you try making your own dough, store-bought crust will seem less appealing. This recipe uses an Artisan Pizza Dough, but feel free to use your favorite dough recipe or a store-bought crust if you prefer.
Kids especially enjoy shaping the dough—this recipe is playful and flexible. You can also shape it into fun forms like a mummy, snake, or centipede for a themed meal.
Pizza Stromboli
Vicky Hadley ~ Little Chef Within
Pin Recipe
2
strombolis
Ingredients
- 1 cup pizza sauce divided
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese divided
- toppings of your choice (pepperoni, cooked sausage, vegetables, etc.)
- 4 TBLS butter melted, divided
- Italian seasoning
- garlic powder
- Parmesan cheese (grated)
Instructions
- Prepare Artisan Pizza Dough (or your preferred dough).
- Divide the dough in half.
- Roll each half to fit a baking sheet; place on parchment paper.
- Spoon about 1/2 cup pizza sauce down the center of each dough rectangle, leaving the edges clear.
- Top the sauce with your chosen toppings and a portion of the mozzarella, keeping the filling centered.
- Cut 1-inch diagonal strips on each side of the dough, stopping at the filling.
- Fold the strips over the filling in an alternating, overlapping pattern to enclose the center.
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter and mix in Italian seasoning and garlic powder.
- Brush the seasoned butter over the assembled stromboli and sprinkle with grated Parmesan and remaining mozzarella if desired.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 20 minutes, until golden and cooked through. Let rest a few minutes before slicing.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!
Enjoy making this with kids or on your own—it’s a fun, customizable meal that’s perfect for weeknights or casual gatherings.
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