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Italian Stromboli Recipe: Easy Homemade Ham and Cheese Roll – Perfect Party Appetizer

Italian Stromboli recipe - featured image

This Italian Stromboli is a crowd-pleasing ham and cheese roll wrapped in golden pizza dough, perfect as a party appetizer or comforting main dish. Gooey cheese, smoky ham, and a crisp crust make it irresistible and easy to prepare in under an hour.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) pizza dough (homemade or store-bought)
  • Flour (for dusting work surface)
  • 8 ounces (225g) thinly sliced deli ham
  • 2 cups (200g) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup (90g) shredded provolone or cheddar cheese
  • 2 tablespoons (15g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (or a mix of oregano and basil)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
  • 1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)
  • Olive oil (for brushing)
  • Sesame seeds or poppy seeds (optional, for topping)
  • Warm marinara sauce (for serving/dipping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to preheat.
  2. Lightly flour your work surface. Roll or stretch the pizza dough into a rectangle about 12 x 16 inches.
  3. Arrange ham slices in a single layer, leaving a 1-inch border. Sprinkle mozzarella and provolone (or cheddar) evenly on top. Add Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, red pepper flakes (if using), and black pepper.
  4. Starting from the long side, tightly roll the dough into a log. Pinch the seam and ends to seal. Place seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
  5. Brush the top and sides with the beaten egg wash. Drizzle or brush with olive oil. Sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds if desired.
  6. Use a sharp knife to cut a few shallow slits on top to vent steam.
  7. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until deep golden brown and crisp. Rotate the pan halfway through baking.
  8. Let the stromboli rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing.
  9. Slice into 1-inch thick pieces and serve warm with marinara sauce for dipping.

Notes

Don’t overload the filling to avoid leaks and sogginess. Chill fillings before assembly for easier rolling. Seal edges well and don’t skip the egg wash for a shiny crust. Let the stromboli rest before slicing for best results. Can be made gluten-free or dairy-free with appropriate substitutions.

Nutrition

Keywords: stromboli, ham and cheese roll, Italian appetizer, party food, pizza dough, easy stromboli, homemade stromboli, cheese roll, family recipe, comfort food