Last Halloween, just as the porch light flickered and little goblins began trailing up our walkway, my kitchen turned into something of a costume party itself—flour on my cheeks, olive oil glistening on the counter, and a sheet of dough stretched out like a blank canvas. My granddaughter had invited two friends from her theater club over for trick-or-treating, and I promised them something warm before heading out into the chilly October air.

I wasn’t in the mood for anything fancy, but I did want to make it fun. Stromboli came to mind, partly because I had fresh dough from the market that morning and partly because pepperoni was one of the few ingredients everyone could agree on. As I layered mozzarella over the dough and tucked the pepperoni in like little ribbons, the girls hovered, guessing what it would turn into. They called it a pizza burrito at first.

The stromboli went into the oven as the sun dipped behind the trees, casting long shadows across the kitchen floor. When I pulled it out—golden, bubbling, fragrant—they gathered like moths to a flame. We cut generous slices, each bite stretching with cheese, and sat on the steps passing out candy with warm plates in our laps.

I didn’t even have time to plate it properly, but nobody minded. Their costumes got messy. So did our fingers. It might have been the quietest I’d ever seen them.

Short Description

A golden stromboli filled with melted mozzarella, spicy pepperoni, and fragrant Italian seasoning. Warm, cheesy, and easy to make from pizza dough in under 30 minutes.

Key Ingredients

1 pound pizza dough
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
4 ounces sliced pepperoni
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
2 tablespoons olive oil

Tools Needed

Rolling pin
Baking sheet lined with parchment paper
Pastry brush
Sharp knife or pizza cutter
Spatula or tongs for serving

Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2: Roll Out the Dough
On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick. Aim for an even shape so it bakes uniformly.

Step 3: Layer the Filling
Evenly sprinkle mozzarella over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border. Layer pepperoni slices on top, then sprinkle Italian seasoning.

Step 4: Roll and Seal
Starting from a long side, roll the dough tightly into a log. Pinch seams and ends to seal fully.

Step 5: Prep for Baking
Place stromboli seam-side down on your prepared baking sheet. Brush top with olive oil. Use a sharp knife to make 3 or 4 diagonal slits.

Step 6: Bake
Bake in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes until crust is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.

Step 7: Cool and Slice
Let stromboli cool for 5 to 10 minutes. Slice using a sharp knife or pizza cutter.

Step 8: Serve
Serve warm with marinara sauce for dipping.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Flavor Explosion: Warm dough, melty cheese, and pepperoni with an herby finish

Quick & Easy: Ready in about 30 minutes, from prep to plate

Crowd-Pleasing: Great for family dinners, parties, or game nights

Make-Ahead Friendly: Assemble early and bake when guests arrive

Customizable: Swap pepperoni for ham, add spinach or mushrooms

Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions

Thick dough leads to uneven bake
Tip: Roll to ¼ inch thickness for best results

Filling too close to edges may cause leaks
Tip: Leave a 1-inch border around dough

Under-sealed ends can open during baking
Tip: Pinch the seams and ends well

No steam slits may make crust soggy
Tip: Add at least 3 diagonal slits before baking

Skipping rest time causes filling to ooze out
Tip: Let it cool 5 to 10 minutes before slicing

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

Serve sliced on a platter with marinara sauce on the side

Pair with a crisp green salad or roasted veggies

Offer alongside garlic knots or seasoned breadsticks

Perfect for buffet-style gatherings or picnic boxes

Storage and Reheating Tips

Store leftover stromboli in foil or airtight container for up to 3 days

Reheat in a 350°F oven for about 8 to 10 minutes to refresh the crust

Microwave for 30 seconds for a quick warm-up, but crust might soften

For make-ahead: assemble and wrap dough, refrigerate overnight, bake next day

FAQs

1. Can I use pre-made pizza dough?
Yes. Store-bought dough works well and saves time.

2. Can I freeze before baking?
Yes. Wrap in plastic, freeze. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes.

3. What if I don’t have Italian seasoning?
Use equal parts dried basil and oregano instead.

4. Can I add veggies?
Absolutely. Thinly sliced peppers or spinach work well layered under cheese.

5. Is this suitable for kids?
Yes. Mild cheese and pepperoni makes it kid-friendly with minimal spice.

Tips & Tricks

Chill dough for 10 minutes before cutting to reduce filling spills

Brush with garlic butter after baking for extra flavor

Let dough rest after rolling to prevent shrinkage in the oven

Use parchment paper to aid in clean slicing and serving

For extra crunch, sprinkle grated Parmesan before baking

Recipe Variations

Ham & Pineapple: Swap pepperoni for diced ham and pineapple chunks; omit Italian seasoning

Veggie Delight: Spread pesto before adding mozzarella, then layer roasted peppers, onions, and spinach

Spicy Sausage: Use spicy Italian sausage sliced, add crushed red pepper flakes for heat

Four Cheese: Mix mozzarella, fontina, provolone, and Parmesan; omit Italian seasoning, brush with olive oil after baking

Final Thoughts

We never made it to the spooky haunted house downtown. They voted to stay in and ask for seconds. Watching those three kids eat, giggle, and toss around costume props while sneaking more stromboli felt better than any haunted maze or ghost tour.

The dough had browned just enough, the cheese had melted just right, and for once, my kitchen was more exciting than the candy outside. I’ve kept stromboli on the rotation since, especially when I know company’s coming. It holds stories inside the crust and never leaves a plate with crumbs for long.

Cheesy Pepperoni Stromboli

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Nutrition facts: calories fat

Rating: 5.0/5

( 1 voted )

Ingredients

1 pound pizza dough
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
4 ounces sliced pepperoni
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2: Roll Out the Dough
Roll the pizza dough into a rectangle, about ¼ inch thick, on a floured surface.

Step 3: Add the Filling
Sprinkle mozzarella evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch edge. Add pepperoni slices and a pinch of Italian seasoning.

Step 4: Roll It Up
Roll the dough up tightly from the long side. Pinch the edges to seal the log.

Step 5: Get Ready to Bake
Place the roll seam-side down on the baking sheet. Brush the top with olive oil and cut 3–4 small slits on top.

Step 6: Bake
Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden brown and the crust sounds hollow when tapped.

Step 7: Cool and Slice
Let it rest for 5–10 minutes. Then slice with a sharp knife or pizza cutter.

Step 8: Serve
Serve warm with marinara sauce on the side.