Description
This Stromboli recipe features a homemade yeast dough rolled with a flavorful filling of Italian sausage, pepperoni, mozzarella, Parmesan, and fresh vegetables. Baked to a golden brown crust and served with marinara sauce, this classic Italian-American dish makes a hearty and delicious meal perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 3/4 cup warm water
Seasonings
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Fillings
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled
- 1/2 cup pepperoni slices
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup onion, diced
- 1/4 cup marinara sauce
Instructions
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, and sugar to prepare the base for the dough.
- Add Olive Oil: Stir the olive oil into the flour mixture to help incorporate fat evenly into the dough.
- Activate Yeast: Dissolve the active dry yeast in the warm water in a small bowl and let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Form Dough: Pour the yeast mixture into the flour mixture and stir until a dough starts to form.
- Knead Dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5 to 7 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.
- Let Dough Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Cook Sausage: While the dough rises, cook the Italian sausage in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked, then crumble it into small pieces.
- Prepare Pepperoni: Using the same skillet, cook the pepperoni slices for 2 to 3 minutes until slightly crispy, then set aside.
- Prepare Vegetables: Dice the green bell pepper and onion, setting them aside with the other fillings.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Shape Dough: Punch down the risen dough to release air, transfer it to a floured surface, and roll it out into a 12 x 8 inch rectangle.
- Season Dough: Evenly sprinkle the garlic powder, dried oregano, dried basil, and black pepper over the rolled dough.
- Add Fillings: Layer the shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, cooked sausage, pepperoni, diced bell pepper, and onion on top of the seasoned dough.
- Spread Sauce: Drizzle the marinara sauce evenly over the filling ingredients to add moisture and flavor.
- Roll Stromboli: Starting from one long edge, carefully roll the dough into a tight log, sealing the edges well to prevent leakage.
- Prepare for Baking: Place the stromboli seam side down on the prepared baking sheet and make a few small slits on top to allow steam to escape while baking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven, let cool for a few minutes, then slice and serve warm with extra marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Allowing the dough to rise fully ensures a tender, airy crust.
- For a spicier stromboli, add crushed red pepper flakes to the filling or dough.
- You can substitute Italian sausage with ground beef or turkey if preferred.
- Make sure to seal the rolled dough tightly to avoid filling leakage during baking.
- Use parchment paper on the baking sheet for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
