Baked High-Protein Pepperoni Stromboli (Printable)

Hearty Italian-American baked dough filled with seasoned beef, pepperoni, and melted cheeses.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dough

01 - 1 pound pizza dough, store-bought or homemade

→ Meat & Cheese Filling

02 - 8 ounces lean ground beef
03 - 2 ounces pepperoni slices
04 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
05 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Vegetables & Seasoning

06 - 1/2 cup chopped onions
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
09 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
10 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Extras

11 - 1 large egg, beaten for egg wash
12 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
13 - Marinara sauce for serving

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Add lean ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Season with salt, black pepper, Italian herbs, and red pepper flakes. Cook until beef is completely browned and no longer pink, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes.
04 - On a lightly floured work surface, roll out pizza dough into a large rectangle approximately 12 by 16 inches.
05 - Spread cooled beef mixture evenly over dough, leaving a 1-inch border on all sides. Layer pepperoni slices over beef. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses evenly across the filling.
06 - Starting from a long edge, tightly roll dough into a log. Pinch the ends and seam firmly to seal, ensuring filling does not escape during baking.
07 - Place stromboli seam-side down on prepared baking sheet. Brush entire surface with beaten egg. Using a sharp knife, make 3 to 4 diagonal slits across the top to allow steam to escape.
08 - Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
09 - Slice stromboli and serve with warm marinara sauce on the side.

# Expert Pointers:

01 -
  • High Protein: Each serving provides 37g of protein to keep you full.
  • Customizable: Easily adapted with your favorite vegetables or leaner meats.
  • Crowd Pleaser: A perfect blend of gooey cheese and spicy pepperoni that everyone enjoys.
  • Simple Prep: Uses simple techniques and common kitchen tools for a 50-minute meal.
02 -
  • Use a rolling pin to achieve a uniform thickness, ensuring the dough cooks evenly.
  • Don't skip the egg wash; it provides the signature golden-brown sheen and crispy texture.
  • Always use a sharp knife for the steam slits to avoid tearing the dough.
  • Let the stromboli rest for 5 minutes after baking so the cheese can set for cleaner slices.
Return