Stromboli are a popular Italian-American dish that is often confused with calzones. The main question many people have is whether stromboli have sauce inside like a calzone, or if they are made differently.
What is a Stromboli?
A stromboli is a rolled stuffed pizza that originally came from Philadelphia. It was invented by Nazzareno Romano in the 1950s at his Italian restaurant in Essington, Pennsylvania called Romano’s Restaurant.
The stromboli was named after the Italian island of Stromboli. It is made from pizza dough that is filled with cheese and various Italian deli meats such as salami, capicola, mortadella, and prosciutto. The dough is then rolled into a log shape, sealed, and baked. The end result is a hearty, filling stuffed pizza bread.
What’s Inside a Stromboli?
A traditional stromboli contains the following ingredients inside:
- Mozzarella cheese
- Italian meats such as salami, ham, capicola, prosciutto
- Pepperoni
- Onions, peppers, mushrooms, or other veggies
- Oregano, basil, parsley, and other Italian seasoning
The key aspect is that traditional stromboli do not contain sauce inside. They are made with pizza dough, cheese, meats, vegetables, and seasonings. The dough is rolled up like a log to seal in the fillings inside.
Do Stromboli Have Sauce?
Authentic stromboli do not have pizza sauce or marinara sauce inside. There are a few reasons why:
- The stromboli dough is rolled and sealed shut to bake the fillings inside. Sauce would make the dough soggy.
- Sauce would overpower the flavor of the meats and cheeses.
- Excess moisture from sauce could prevent the dough from crisping up properly.
Some key differences between stromboli and calzones are that calzones use ricotta as a filling and feature sauce inside. Stromboli do not contain ricotta or sauce. The sauce is typically served on the side for dipping instead.
Are There Variations?
There are some variations of stromboli that may contain sauce:
- Baked ziti stromboli – This version is stuffed with baked ziti, sauce, and melted cheese inside.
- Pizza stromboli – This type contains pizza toppings like sauce, pepperoni, veggies, and mozzarella inside.
- Dessert stromboli – Sweet fillings like chocolate, cinnamon, and fruit may be used in a dessert stromboli.
While these types do contain sauce, they are considered gourmet twists on the traditional stromboli. The classic version found in Philadelphia and Italian-American restaurants will not have sauce inside.
Tips for Making Stromboli
Here are some useful tips for making great stromboli at home:
- Use fresh pizza dough or make your own from scratch. The dough should be stretched thin, about 1/4 inch thick.
- Lay the dough flat and layer on cheese first, then meats and vegetables. Leave a 1/2 inch border clear around the edges.
- Pre-cook any veggies to remove excess moisture before adding to stromboli.
- Roll the dough up tightly starting at the long side. Pinch the edges closed to seal in filling.
- For best results, let sealed stromboli rise for 30 minutes before baking.
- Bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes until golden brown. Brush with oil or butter for a crispy crust.
Stromboli Fillings Ideas
There are endless possibilities for stuffing stromboli! Here are some popular filling ideas:
| Filling Combination | Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Classic | Pepperoni, mozzarella, parmesan, oregano |
| Vegetarian | Mushrooms, peppers, spinach, artichokes, feta, pesto |
| Breakfast | Scrambled eggs, bacon, cheddar, tomatoes |
| Hawaiian | Ham, pineapple, onions, bacon, mozzarella |
| Buffalo Chicken | Shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, blue cheese, cheddar |
Dipping Sauces
Stromboli are perfect paired with dipping sauce on the side. Here are popular sauces to consider:
- Marinara – Classic, flavorful red sauce
- Alfredo – Rich and creamy white sauce
- Balsamic vinaigrette – Tangy and sweet
- Oil and vinegar – Simple and delicious
- Pesto – Herby green sauce
- Ranch – Cool complement to any filling
The Difference Between Stromboli and Calzones
Stromboli and calzones are both delicious Italian stuffed breads, but they have some key differences:
| Stromboli | Calzone |
|---|---|
| Does not contain sauce inside | Stuffed with ricotta and sauce inside |
| Uses pizza dough | Uses bread dough |
| Rolled into long tube shape | Folded into half-moon shape |
| Common fillings are cheese, meats, veggies | Common fillings are ricotta, mozzarella, tomato sauce |
| Originated in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania | Originated in Naples, Italy |
While they are different dishes, both stromboli and calzones make for amazing grab-and-go meals and appetizers. They can be served sliced open or kept whole for dipping with sauce on the side.
Conclusion
In conclusion, authentic stromboli do not contain sauce inside. They are made using pizza dough rolled up with fillings like Italian meats, veggies, and cheese. Sauce or marinara is not included in the traditional Philadelphia-style stromboli, but served on the side instead. However, some gourmet versions like pizza or baked ziti stromboli may incorporate sauce in the filling. Try making your own stromboli at home and enjoy this Italian-American classic!