Baked High-Protein Pepperoni Stromboli (Printable version)

Protein-packed stromboli with beef, pepperoni and cheese baked to golden perfection in pizza dough.

# What you need:

→ Dough

01 - 1 pound refrigerated pizza dough

→ Filling

02 - 1/2 pound lean ground beef
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
05 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
06 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
08 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
09 - 3 ounces sliced pepperoni
10 - 1/4 cup pizza sauce plus extra for serving
11 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley optional

→ For Brushing

12 - 1 egg beaten
13 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

# Steps to follow:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with salt, pepper, oregano, and garlic powder until fully browned. Drain excess fat and allow to cool slightly.
03 - On a floured surface, roll out the pizza dough into a large rectangle approximately 12 by 16 inches.
04 - Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border along all edges.
05 - Evenly distribute the cooked beef, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, and pepperoni slices over the sauce.
06 - Starting from one long edge, tightly roll up the dough into a log, pinching the seam and ends firmly to seal.
07 - Transfer the stromboli to the prepared baking sheet with the seam side facing down.
08 - Brush the top of the stromboli with beaten egg and drizzle with olive oil for golden browning and crispness.
09 - Using a sharp knife, make several diagonal slits across the top to allow steam to escape during baking.
10 - Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the filling is cooked through.
11 - Cool for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing to keep the filling intact. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve warm with extra pizza sauce for dipping.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • It feels fancy enough to serve guests but takes less time than ordering delivery.
  • The protein keeps you satisfied for hours, so no mid-afternoon snack attack.
  • You get that perfect balance of crispy outside and melty, savory inside every single time.
02 -
  • Don't skip the cooling step for the beef, warm meat will melt the cheese before the dough even gets into the oven.
  • The thin layer of sauce is crucial, I learned this the hard way when I overstuffed and ended up with a soggy bottom.
03 -
  • Brush the egg wash on right before baking, not too early, or it'll dry out and you'll lose that beautiful shine.
  • If your dough is fighting you while rolling, let it rest on the counter for a few minutes, dough needs patience.
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