Ultimate Cheesy Pepperoni Stromboli with Garlic Herb Crust and Marinara Dipping Sauce

The ultimate cheesy pepperoni stromboli featuring perfectly seasoned pizza dough wrapped around layers of melted mozzarella, spicy pepperoni, and Italian herbs, then baked to golden perfection. This authentic Italian-American comfort food masterpiece combines the rich flavors of a classic pizza with the satisfying experience of a handheld rolled sandwich, creating an irresistible meal that's perfect for family dinners, game day gatherings, or any time you crave the perfect combination of crispy crust, gooey cheese, and savory pepperoni in every delicious bite.

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Ultimate Cheesy Pepperoni Stromboli with Garlic Herb Crust and Marinara Dipping Sauce - main view
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JUE

Enjoy home-cooked meals made with love and shared from a family kitchen.

Italian Stromboli Mastery Secrets for Perfect Cheese and Pepperoni Combination

Essential Ingredients Selection

Creating Your Masterpiece

Perfect Dough Rolling Mastery:
Master the technique of rolling pizza dough to ideal thickness for optimal texture.
Cheese Layering Excellence:
Learn the skill of layering multiple cheeses for perfect melting and flavor balance.
Filling Distribution Perfection:
Perfect the method of evenly distributing fillings for consistent flavor in every bite.
Rolling and Sealing Technique:
Master the art of tightly rolling and sealing stromboli to prevent filling leakage.
Baking Strategy:
Learn optimal baking techniques for achieving golden crust while melting cheese perfectly.
Ultimate Cheesy Pepperoni Stromboli with Garlic Herb Crust and Marinara Dipping Sauce - secondary view

The Art of Ultimate Cheesy Pepperoni Stromboli Perfection

Perfect Dough Rolling Mastery
Master the technique of rolling pizza dough to ideal thickness for optimal texture.
Cheese Layering Excellence
Learn the skill of layering multiple cheeses for perfect melting and flavor balance.
Filling Distribution Perfection
Perfect the method of evenly distributing fillings for consistent flavor in every bite.
Rolling and Sealing Technique
Master the art of tightly rolling and sealing stromboli to prevent filling leakage.
Baking Strategy
Learn optimal baking techniques for achieving golden crust while melting cheese perfectly.
Italian Stromboli Mastery Secrets for Perfect Cheese and Pepperoni Combination
Dough Temperature: Room temperature dough rolls easier and creates better texture in final product.
Cheese Balance: Mix of mozzarella, provolone, and Parmesan creates perfect melting and flavor combination.
Rolling Technique: Roll tightly but not so tight that dough tears or filling squeezes out.
Steam Vents: Diagonal cuts prevent bursting and create attractive presentation when baked.
Resting Time: Let stromboli rest before slicing to prevent filling from spilling out.
Sauce Serving: Warm marinara sauce enhances the overall eating experience significantly.
Ultimate Cheesy Pepperoni Stromboli with Garlic Herb Crust and Marinara Dipping Sauce - tertiary view

Ultimate Cheesy Pepperoni Stromboli with Garlic Herb Crust and Marinara Dipping Sauce

The ultimate cheesy pepperoni stromboli featuring perfectly seasoned pizza dough wrapped around layers of melted mozzarella, spicy pepperoni, and Italian herbs, then baked to golden perfection. This authentic Italian-American comfort food masterpiece combines the rich flavors of a classic pizza with the satisfying experience of a handheld rolled sandwich, creating an irresistible meal that's perfect for family dinners, game day gatherings, or any time you crave the perfect combination of crispy crust, gooey cheese, and savory pepperoni in every delicious bite.

Italian Cream Stuffed Cannoncini
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Ingredients

Custard Cream
01
For the Perfect Dough:
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1 pound pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
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2 tablespoons olive oil
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1 tablespoon garlic powder
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1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
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For the Cheese Layer:
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2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
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1/2 cup provolone cheese, shredded
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1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
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1/4 cup ricotta cheese
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For the Meat Component:
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6 ounces pepperoni slices
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4 ounces Italian salami, thinly sliced
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2 ounces prosciutto, torn (optional)
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For the Flavor Enhancers:
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1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
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2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
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1 tablespoon fresh oregano
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1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
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For the Garlic Herb Crust:
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3 tablespoons butter, melted
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
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1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
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For the Marinara Dipping Sauce:
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1 cup marinara sauce
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2 tablespoons olive oil
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1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
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1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
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For the Assembly:
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1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
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2 tablespoons sesame seeds
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1 tablespoon coarse sea salt
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For the Perfect Finish:
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Additional Parmesan for sprinkling
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Fresh basil leaves for garnish
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For Special Equipment:
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Large baking sheet
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Parchment paper
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Rolling pin
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Sharp knife

Instructions

01
Preheat oven to 450°F and line large baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Remove pizza dough from refrigerator and let come to room temperature for 15 minutes.
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Roll dough on floured surface into large rectangle, about 12x16 inches.
04
Brush dough surface with olive oil, leaving 1-inch border around edges.
05
Sprinkle garlic powder and Italian seasoning evenly over oiled dough surface.
06
Spread ricotta cheese in thin layer over seasoned dough, avoiding edges.
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Layer mozzarella and provolone cheeses evenly over ricotta base layer.
08
Arrange pepperoni slices in overlapping pattern over cheese layer.
09
Add salami slices and prosciutto if using, distributing evenly.
10
Sprinkle sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes.
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Add final sprinkle of Parmesan cheese over entire filling.
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Starting from long edge, tightly roll dough into log shape.
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Pinch seam closed and place seam-side down on prepared baking sheet.
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Brush entire surface with beaten egg wash for golden finish.
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Mix melted butter with minced garlic and parsley for herb butter.
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Brush herb butter generously over egg-washed stromboli surface.
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Sprinkle with sesame seeds and coarse sea salt for texture.
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Make 4-5 diagonal cuts on top for steam vents and presentation.
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Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
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Meanwhile, heat marinara sauce with olive oil and seasonings for dipping.
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Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
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Slice into thick pieces with sharp knife using sawing motion.
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Garnish with fresh basil and additional Parmesan if desired.
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Serve immediately with warm marinara sauce for dipping.
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Enjoy while cheese is still melted and crust is crispy.