Pepperoni and Pepper Stromboli
A rolled and baked loaf of golden dough packed with pepperoni, peppers and melted mozzarella, with a warm tomato dip.
Made with Basic tomato sauce and Basic bread dough. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time55 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.36 a head
- Oven220°C (200°C fan)
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oven to 220°C (200°C fan) and line a large baking tray with baking paper.
- 2
Roll your ready made bread dough (see the base recipe) on a lightly floured worktop into a rectangle about 35 by 25 cm. Brush a thin layer of the tomato sauce over the dough, leaving a 2 cm border all round, using about 3 tablespoons.
- 3
Layer the pepperoni, roasted peppers, mozzarella and oregano evenly over the sauce.
- 4
Roll up from a long edge into a tight log and pinch the seam and ends firmly to seal. Lay it seam side down on the tray, brush with the olive oil and sprinkle with the parmesan.
- 5
Cut 4 shallow slits across the top to let steam out. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until deep golden and the base sounds hollow when tapped.
27 min 30 s - 6
Rest for 10 minutes, as the filling is very hot. Warm the rest of your tomato sauce and serve it as a dip with thick slices of stromboli.
10 min
Tips
- Blot the roasted peppers on kitchen paper before using. Wet filling makes the dough soggy in the middle.
- Do not overfill, or the seam splits and cheese leaks out. A generous single layer is enough.
- Try leftover cooked chicken, ham, spinach and ricotta, or mushrooms in place of the pepperoni.
Storing and freezing
Keeps for 2 days in the fridge and reheats well in a hot oven for 10 minutes. Slice and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat from frozen until steaming hot in the middle.
Questions
What is the difference between stromboli and calzone?
Stromboli is rolled up like a log and baked, while a calzone is a folded half moon pocket. Stromboli is an American Italian invention, usually filled with cured meats and cheese, with sauce served on the side.
Can I make stromboli vegetarian?
Yes. Use sliced mushrooms, spinach, olives and extra roasted peppers in place of the pepperoni, and make sure the cheese is a vegetarian one. It is then a satisfying vegetarian bake.
Why is my stromboli soggy in the middle?
Usually the filling was too wet or too much sauce was used. Drain and blot jarred vegetables, use only a thin layer of sauce inside, and serve the rest warm on the side.
More made with basic tomato sauce
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.