Easy Homemade Stromboli ($10 Family Dinner Idea)

Name: Easy Stromboli
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 cups warm water; 1 1/2 Tablespoons instant active yeast (Sam’s Club – 2lbs for $6.88 — $0.12); 1 1/2 Tablespoons sugar (Aldi – $2.86 for 9 1/2 cups — $0.04); 3 Tablespoons olive oil (Aldi – $7.25 for 33 tablespoons — $0.66); 1 1/2 teaspoons salt; 5 1/4 cups all-purpose or bread flour (approximately – use more or less as needed (Aldi – $1.99 for 5 lbs) — $0.52); 4 Tablespoons butter (melted (Aldi – $2.49 for 4 sticks) — $0.31); 4 cloves garlic (minced (Aldi – $0.99 for 3 heads) — $0.13); 1 lb sliced deli meat (Publix – $1.49 for 8oz – $2.98); 1 lb sliced cheese (Aldi – $1.50 for 8oz — $3); Fresh herbs or dried Italian seasoning or parsley; 1 egg (whisked with 1 Tablespoon water (Aldi – $1.66 for 12 eggs) — $0.14)

This easy stromboli recipe is a fun $10 dinner idea that my entire family loves. It’s great as leftovers the next day (my boys take it in their school lunches), and it can be eaten hot or cold (or even at room temperature). Feel free to sub store-bought pizza dough if you’re short on time — or if you get a really great deal on it! I was inspired to make this as I’ve gotten some cheap deals on deli meat the last few weeks.

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I don’t add marina sauce in my stromboli, but you definitely can if you like. I’ve found marinara sauce makes it messier and you have to eat it with a fork — which isn’t a bad thing. But when you’re serving a houseful of hungry teens who aren’t going to be using forks, like I often am, it works better to offer marinara as a dipping sauce on the side for those who want it.

You could also customize this recipe by adding in some veggies like sliced black olives or other pizza toppings. I hope you love it as much as we do! As an added plus, stromboli smells so amazing while baking.

A recipe graphic featuring sliced homemade stromboli filled with layers of meat and melted cheese inside golden brown bread. The graphic reads "EASY STROMBOLI RECIPE" and "($10 Family Dinner Idea)" with "MONEYSAVINGMOM.COM" at the bottom.

This post is part of our $10 Dinner Ideas series, brought to you by Brigette on our team! Each week, she shares easy, delicious, and affordable family-friendly dinner ideas that cost less than $10 to make, use everyday ingredients, and are super quick meals.

A freshly baked homemade stromboli resting on parchment paper in a metal baking tray.

Stromboli Menu:

Stromboli (you can definitely add a side, but at my house, my family isn’t going to touch a side when the main course is stromboli!)

Ingredients for homemade stromboli arranged on a wooden table including bread flour, yeast, salt, oil, water, garlic, butter, an egg, sliced meats, shredded cheese, packaged cheese slices and fresh rosemary.

Ingredients for Stromboli:

2 cups warm water
1 1/2 Tablespoons instant active yeast (Sam’s Club – 2lbs for $6.88) — $0.12
1 1/2 Tablespoons sugar (Aldi – $2.86 for 9 1/2 cups) — $0.04
3 Tablespoons olive oil (Aldi – $7.25 for 33 tablespoons) — $0.66
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
5 1/4 cups all-purpose or bread flour (approximately – use more or less as needed) (Aldi – $1.99 for 5 lbs) — $0.52
4 Tablespoons butter, melted (Aldi – $2.49 for 4 sticks) — $0.31
4 garlic cloves, minced (Aldi – $0.99 for 3 heads) — $0.13
1 lb sliced deli meat (Publix – $1.49 for 8oz) – $2.98
1 lb sliced cheese (Aldi – $1.50 for 8oz) — $3
Fresh herbs or dried Italian seasoning or parsley
1 egg, whisked with 1 Tablespoon water (Aldi – $1.66 for 12 eggs) — $0.14

Total Cost for Dinner: $7.90 (makes 2 large loaves – serves approximately 8)

A long loaf of freshly baked stromboli with a golden brown crust sprinkled with dried herbs.

How to Make Stromboli:

1. In a large bowl, combine the sugar, salt, yeast and 2 cups of the flour. Stir well. In another bowl, stir together the olive oil and the warm water.

A stainless steel mixing bowl containing flour and a gray spatula with a glass measuring cup of golden oil behind it. Ingredients being prepared for an easy stromboli recipe.

2. Pour the water mixture into the flour mixture and stir until combined. Continue adding the remaining flour until the dough sticks together.

A stainless steel mixing bowl filled with a creamy and bubbly yeast mixture with a gray spatula resting inside.

3. Turn onto a floured surface and knead for a few minutes, adding more flour as needed.

A round ball of homemade stromboli dough resting on a dark speckled countertop.

4. Put dough into a greased bowl and let rise in a warm place until doubled — about 45 minutes.

5. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Divide dough in half and roll each half into a 12×18 inch rectangle. Stir together the melted butter and minced garlic. Brush each rectangle with half of the garlic butter.

6. Layer on the sliced cheese and meat, dividing evenly between the 2 loaves. Leave a 1-inch border on the bottom and sides and a 3″ border on top without meat/cheese (when you roll it, the fillings will be pushed forward).

7. Starting from the bottom, roll tightly into a 16-inch log. Pinch the edges together firmly and tuck the ends under.

8. Place each loaf on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush with the egg wash and sprinkle with fresh herbs or Italian seasoning, if desired.

8. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Let cool at least 5 minutes before cutting into slices. Serve with warm marinara sauce, if desired.

Recipe

Easy Stromboli

Author Brigette

Course Appetizer, Bread, dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American, Italian

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 30

Rising Time 45

This easy stromboli recipe is a fun dinner idea that my entire family loves. It’s great as leftovers the next day (my boys take it in their school lunches), and it can be eaten hot or cold (or even at room temperature). I hope you love it as much as we do!

Ingredients

2 cups warm water
1 1/2 Tablespoons instant active yeast Sam’s Club – 2lbs for $6.88 — $0.12
1 1/2 Tablespoons sugar Aldi – $2.86 for 9 1/2 cups — $0.04
3 Tablespoons olive oil Aldi – $7.25 for 33 tablespoons — $0.66
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
5 1/4 cups all-purpose or bread flour approximately – use more or less as needed (Aldi – $1.99 for 5 lbs) — $0.52
4 Tablespoons butter melted (Aldi – $2.49 for 4 sticks) — $0.31
4 cloves garlic minced (Aldi – $0.99 for 3 heads) — $0.13
1 lb sliced deli meat Publix – $1.49 for 8oz – $2.98
1 lb sliced cheese Aldi – $1.50 for 8oz — $3
Fresh herbs or dried Italian seasoning or parsley
1 egg whisked with 1 Tablespoon water (Aldi – $1.66 for 12 eggs) — $0.14

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine the sugar, salt, yeast and 2 cups of the flour. Stir well. In another bowl, stir together the olive oil and the warm water.
Pour the water mixture into the flour mixture and stir until combined. Continue adding the remaining flour until the dough sticks together.
Turn onto a floured surface and knead for a few minutes, adding more flour as needed.
Put dough into a greased bowl and let rise in a warm place until doubled — about 45 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Divide dough in half and roll each half into a 12×18 inch rectangle. Stir together the melted butter and minced garlic. Brush each rectangle with half of the garlic butter.
Layer on the sliced cheese and meat, dividing evenly between the 2 loaves. Leave a 1-inch border on the bottom and sides and a 3″ border on top without meat/cheese (when you roll it, the fillings will be pushed forward).
Starting from the bottom, roll tightly into a 16-inch log. Pinch the edges together firmly and tuck the ends under.
Place each loaf on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush with the egg wash and sprinkle with fresh herbs or Italian seasoning, if desired.
Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Let cool at least 5 minutes before cutting into slices. Serve with warm marinara sauce, if desired.

Notes

Feel free to sub store-bought pizza dough if you’re short on time — or if you get a really great deal on it! I don’t add marina sauce in my stromboli, but you definitely can if you like. You could also customize this recipe by adding in some veggies like sliced black olives or other pizza toppings.

Nutrition

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FAQs about Stromboli:

What’s the difference between stromboli and a calzone?

Both are breading wrapped around fillings, but they are different shapes and sizes. A calzone is a single-serving half-moon dish, while a stromboli is an elongated cylinder that is sliced and shared.

What is in a traditional stromboli?

A traditional stromboli has mozzarella or provolone cheese, along with Italian deli meats like ham, prosciutto, or pepperoni.

How are you supposed to eat stromboli?

Allow it to cool slightly and then slice it and eat it with a fork or simply by picking it up. I prefer to serve marinara on the side so it’s an easy finger food.

Can you eat stromboli cold?

Yes! You can eat stromboli hot, cold, or even at room temperature. It’s great leftover and my kids love to pack it in their school lunches.

More Ideas for Family Dinners Under $10:

And, be sure to check out all our easy dinner recipes here!

Easy Homemade Stromboli ($10 Family Dinner Idea)

Stromboli Menu:

Ingredients for Stromboli:

How to Make Stromboli: