Description
This Cheesy Pepperoni Stromboli is a delicious Italian-inspired baked pastry filled with layers of gooey mozzarella cheese, spicy pepperoni, and savory marinara sauce, all wrapped in a homemade pizza dough crust. It’s a perfect crowd-pleaser for gatherings or a comforting meal at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Pizza Dough
- 1 batch pizza dough (enough to roll into a rectangle)
Fillings
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, grated, divided
- 20-25 pepperoni slices
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce
Topping
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking the stromboli.
- Roll out the dough: On a floured surface, roll out the pizza dough into a large rectangle, about 12×16 inches to ensure enough room for fillings and folding.
- Spread sauce: Evenly spread the marinara sauce over the dough, leaving about a 1-inch border around the edges to help seal the stromboli later.
- Add mozzarella cheese: Sprinkle half of the grated mozzarella cheese evenly over the marinara sauce layer.
- Layer pepperoni: Arrange the pepperoni slices evenly over the mozzarella cheese to ensure every bite has flavor.
- Add remaining cheese: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the pepperoni layer for extra cheesiness.
- Fold the dough: Fold the long sides of the dough toward the center, overlapping slightly to encase the filling securely.
- Seal the ends: Pinch the short ends of the dough firmly to seal the stromboli and prevent fillings from leaking during baking.
- Prepare for baking: Place the sealed stromboli seam-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Add toppings: Brush the top with olive oil, then sprinkle dried oregano and grated Parmesan cheese evenly for flavor and a golden crust.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust turns golden brown and the cheese inside is bubbly.
- Cool and serve: Remove from the oven and let the stromboli cool for a few minutes to set before slicing. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- For best results, let the dough rest for a few minutes before rolling out to make it easier to work with.
- You can add additional fillings such as sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or onions if desired.
- Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy clean-up.
- Let the stromboli cool slightly before slicing to avoid the cheese spilling out.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container and reheat in the oven for best texture.
