Imagine pulling a golden, crispy stromboli out of the oven, its aroma filling your kitchen with irresistible Italian-inspired goodness. This Easy Ham Cheese Stromboli isn't just another recipe – it's a culinary adventure that transforms simple ingredients into a crowd-pleasing masterpiece that will have everyone asking for your secret. Whether you're looking for a quick dinner, a party appetizer, or a weekend lunch that screams comfort food, this stromboli promises to be your new go-to recipe that's both incredibly delicious and surprisingly simple to make.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 package pizza dough
- 1 cup sliced ham
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures that your stromboli will bake evenly and thoroughly.
- Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or lightly greasing it to prevent sticking.
- On a clean, floured surface, roll out the pizza dough into a rectangle, approximately 12x16 inches. Make sure the dough is evenly rolled to ensure even cooking.
- Evenly distribute the sliced ham over the rolled-out pizza dough, leaving a small border around the edges. This will help contain the filling when you roll it up.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the ham, followed by the sliced pepperoni. Make sure to spread the ingredients out evenly for balanced flavor in every bite.
- Sprinkle the Italian seasoning over the cheese and meats to add extra flavor to your stromboli.
- Starting from one of the long edges, carefully roll the dough tightly into a log shape. Make sure to tuck in the filling as you go to prevent it from spilling out.
- Once rolled, pinch the seams and ends of the dough to seal the stromboli securely. This will help keep the filling inside during baking.
- Place the rolled stromboli seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet. This will help keep the seam from opening during baking.
- Brush the beaten egg over the top of the stromboli. This will give it a beautiful golden-brown color as it bakes.
- Using a sharp knife, make a few small slits on top of the stromboli. This allows steam to escape during baking and prevents the dough from bursting.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the stromboli is golden brown and cooked through. The cheese should be melted and bubbly.
- Once baked, remove the stromboli from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. This will make it easier to slice.
- Using a sharp knife, slice the stromboli into 1-2 inch pieces. Serve warm with marinara sauce for dipping, if desired.
Tips
- Always use room temperature dough for easier rolling and better texture
- Don't overfill your stromboli – leave a small border to prevent ingredients from spilling out
- For extra flavor, try brushing the top with garlic-infused olive oil before the egg wash
- Make sure to seal the edges completely to prevent cheese from leaking during baking
- Let the stromboli rest for 3-5 minutes after baking to allow the cheese to set and make slicing easier
- For a crispier crust, you can brush the top with a mixture of olive oil and Italian herbs before baking
- If you want to make it ahead, you can prepare the stromboli and refrigerate it before baking – just add 5-10 minutes to the cooking time
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 20g
Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 65mg
