Italian Stromboli Stuffed Bread: The Best Cheesy Pepperoni Bake Recipe – Cozy, melty, and simple enough for weeknights

Introduction

The kitchen smelled like browned pepperoni and toasted Parmesan, and the timer ticked like a small, excited drum. Right then I knew dinner would fix whatever rough day I’d had. Italian Stromboli Stuffed Bread: The Best Cheesy Pepperoni Bake shows up at my table when I want something comforting and honest. This always takes me back to Sunday dinners. If you love a warm, homey side, try my best homemade cornbread recipe alongside it.

Why You’ll Love This

• Melty cheese and crisp crust—kids and grown-ups both cheer.
• Quick to assemble, yet feels special for guests.
• Budget-friendly using simple leftovers and pantry staples.
• Great for meal prep; slice and reheat for easy lunches.

Quick Recipe Snapshot

• Servings: 6
• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Cook time: 25–30 minutes
• Total time: 40–45 minutes
• Skill level: Easy
• Taste: savory + gooey

Warm and reassuring: you’ll feel confident rolling this up on your first try.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 refrigerated pizza dough (or homemade)
• 1/4 cup pizza sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni
• 1/2 cup chopped cooked turkey bacon
• 1/2 cup chopped cooked chicken ham
• 1/2 cup cooked ground beef
• 1/4 cup sliced black olives (optional)
• 1/4 cup sliced bell peppers (optional)
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• 1 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

Chef notes:

• Use cold dough for easier rolling.
• Shred fresh mozzarella for better melt.
• Toast pepperoni slightly for extra crisp.
  For a garlic-bread side, try my cheesy pull-apart garlic butter bread.

How to Make It

1. First, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper so the bottom bakes evenly.
2. Next, roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface into a rectangle, roughly 12×10 inches; press gently to even thickness.
3. Then, spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border all around—this helps seal the roll.
4. After that, layer the mozzarella, pepperoni, turkey bacon, chicken ham, and ground beef across the middle; add olives and peppers if you like. The cheese should sit on top of the sauce so it melts into everything.
5. Meanwhile, sprinkle oregano and garlic powder over the filling for that warm, herby lift.
6. Now fold the short sides in, then roll the dough tightly like a jelly roll, sealing the edges by pinching them together so no cheesy escape happens.
7. Place the roll seam-side down on the prepared sheet; brush the top with beaten egg, then sprinkle Parmesan and Italian seasoning for a golden, tasty crust.
8. Finally, bake 25–30 minutes until the crust looks golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped; let rest 5 minutes, then slice and serve warm. This Italian Stromboli Stuffed Bread: The Best Cheesy Pepperoni Bake releases a fragrant, savory steam when you cut it.

If you want more bake ideas for make-ahead meals, see my creamy Southern spaghetti bake for inspiration.

Kitchen Tips (From My Kitchen)

1. Time-saver: Use pre-cooked meats and a store dough to cut prep to 15 minutes.
2. Common mistake + fix: Don’t overfill—if filling peeks out, trim slightly and reseal to avoid leaks.
3. Simple variation: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or fresh basil for brightness.

Serving Ideas

• Weeknight dinner: Serve with a crisp green salad and a squeeze of lemon.
• Brunch: Slice thinly and offer with simple scrambled eggs.
• Game day: Cut into fingers and place on a platter with extra pizza sauce for dipping.
• Holiday potluck: Bring whole; guests slice as they wish.
  Also, pair with my other pull-apart bread: cheesy pull-apart garlic butter bread (version 2) for extra indulgence.

Storing & Leftovers

• Fridge: Keep in an airtight container 3–4 days.
• Freezer: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.
• Reheat: Warm slices in a 350°F oven for 10–12 minutes to keep crust crisp.
  Leftover idea: Chop slices into cubes, then toss into a salad bowl for a quick, savory crouton-style salad.

FAQs

Q: Can I make this ahead?
A: Yes—assemble, wrap, and refrigerate for up to 12 hours; bake straight from the fridge, adding a few extra minutes.

Q: What substitutions work?
A: Swap meats or use all veggies; just keep moisture low so dough doesn’t get soggy. Italian Stromboli Stuffed Bread: The Best Cheesy Pepperoni Bake handles swaps well.

Q: How do I know it’s done?
A: The crust will be golden and firm; a thermometer in the center should read about 190°F for fully warmed fillings.

Q: Can I freeze an unbaked stromboli?
A: Absolutely—wrap tightly, freeze, then bake from frozen with an extra 10–15 minutes.

Final Thoughts

I love how this recipe brings people together with little fuss and big flavor, and I hope it becomes one of your go-to comfort meals. Tweak the fillings, make it your own, and enjoy the warm, cheesy slices with friends and family. Italian Stromboli Stuffed Bread: The Best Cheesy Pepperoni Bake

Conclusion

For a lighter, 5-ingredient take, see a simple 5-ingredient stromboli version that pares things back. For a step-by-step guide and technique photos, I like this step-by-step homemade stromboli guide.

Italian Stromboli Stuffed Bread

Comforting and cheesy, this Italian Stromboli is perfect for weeknight dinners and can be made ahead for meal prep.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Brunch, Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Calories: 300

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Dough and Sauce

• 1 package refrigerated pizza dough or homemade
• 1/4 cup pizza sauce

Filling Ingredients

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese Shred fresh for better melt
• 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni Toast slightly for extra crisp
• 1/2 cup chopped cooked turkey bacon
• 1/2 cup chopped cooked chicken ham
• 1/2 cup cooked ground beef
• 1/4 cup sliced black olives optional
• 1/4 cup sliced bell peppers optional

Seasonings and Toppings

• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 egg beaten for egg wash
• 1 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

Method

 

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface into a rectangle, roughly 12 x 10 inches.
3. Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges.
4. Layer the mozzarella, pepperoni, turkey bacon, chicken ham, and ground beef across the middle; add olives and peppers if desired.
5. Sprinkle oregano and garlic powder over the filling.
6. Fold the short sides in, then roll the dough tightly like a jelly roll and pinch the edges to seal.
7. Place the roll seam-side down on the prepared sheet; brush the top with beaten egg and sprinkle with Parmesan and Italian seasoning.

Baking

1. Bake for 25–30 minutes until the crust is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
2. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving warm.

Notes

Use cold dough for easier rolling. For a garlic-bread side, try cheesy pull-apart garlic butter bread.