Italian Stromboli

I just love stromboli – the crispy crust, the gooey cheese! There’s a great local joint that makes my absolute favorite! But I’m not always in the mood to go out (or to spend that kind of money). Making this stromboli at home is so easy.

The best part is you can customize it with your favorite toppings. In this version, I used pepperoni, Italian sausage, and cheese, but you could use nearly whatever you want – olives, ham, onions, peppers, mushrooms, etc., etc. Just keep in mind that the more you add, the longer the cook time will be, and you risk the crust getting a bit soggy by adding too many veggies. Do what you wish, though… I’m just warning you.

Ingredients:

• 1 (11-ounce) can thin crust refrigerated pizza dough
• 1/3 cup pizza sauce plus extra for dipping
• 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni (about 2.5 ounces)
• 1 cup cooked crumbled ground Italian sausage
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Open the can of pizza dough and stretch it thin and even on the parchment.
3. Top the dough with sauce, pepperoni, cooked sausage, and mozzarella cheese.
4. Starting on one side, carefully roll the dough like a jelly roll. Slide it to the middle of the parchment so that the seam is on the bottom.
5. Cut several diagonal slits into the crust.
6. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until deep golden brown.
7. Serve warm with extra sauce for dipping.

Enjoy your homemade stromboli with the flavors and toppings of your choice.