Stromboli vs. Calzone: How To Decide for Pizza Night

Pizza night. There are no two words that elicit more excitement for many families. However, you might want to switch things up from time to time and maybe make something different to share, like stromboli or calzone. But what exactly is the difference between them? We’ll end the stromboli vs. calzone debate once and for all by explaining the main differences between these two delicious yet simple dishes and share some top tips for making them at home.

Table of Contents:

• What is a stromboli?
• What is a calzone?
• Stromboli vs. calzone: What’s the difference?
• Homemade stromboli ideas
• Homemade calzone ideas

What is a stromboli?

A stromboli is a savory Italian-American dish where you add fillings to pizza dough and fold it in on itself before baking. It’s almost as if you took a slice of pizza and rolled it up!

What’s in a stromboli?

A stromboli contains a thin layer of fillings, such as pepperoni or peppers and onions, and mozzarella cheese. A key difference between a stromboli and a calzone is that a stromboli has a thinner layer of fillings so that it will hold its shape after it’s folded. Sometimes, stromboli has a thin layer of sauce inside, but it’s usually on the side for dipping.

What is a calzone?

A calzone is an Italian savory dough that’s shaped like a “D” stuffed with cheese and other ingredients. It’s traditionally baked, but because a calzone is completely sealed like an empanada, it can also be fried. Unlike stromboli, a calzone typically uses ricotta cheese as part of the filling.

What’s in a calzone?

A calzone can have any filling you’d like, but the key ingredient is a cheese blend that contains ricotta. Common fillings include chicken, eggplant, vegetables and more. Because a calzone is sealed on all sides, you don’t have to worry about your fillings leaking out.

Stromboli vs. calzone: What’s the difference?

Dough shape

A calzone is a half moon shape and a stromboli is a rectangle shape that’s cut into slices and shared. 

To shape a calzone:

1. Roll your dough into a circle.
2. Place the fillings on one half, leaving room to seal the edges. 
3. Fold over the dough and crimp the edges to seal.
4. Slice the top to vent dough
5. Bake

There’s typically not a lot of variation with how a calzone looks, although there are endless possibilities to customize the filling.

To shape stromboli:

1. Roll your dough into a rough rectangle.
2. Place fillings in a thin layer over the entire rectangle.
3. Fold the right third of the dough across the center.
4. Repeat on the left.
5. Bake
6. Slice to serve

Stromboli is traditionally a log-like shape, but some people will make it into rings or other shapes.

Fillings

One of the main differences between a calzone and stromboli is that a calzone has ricotta cheese and stromboli typically has mozzarella. Both pastries can contain a mix of cheeses, but ricotta would leak from a stromboli when baked because it’s not sealed on all sides like a calzone is.

Other than that, you can fill a calzone or stromboli with whatever fillings you’d like, including different meats, cheeses and vegetables. Traditionally, a calzone doesn’t contain pizza sauce and sometimes stromboli will have a thin layer. However, it’s common for both to be served with a dipping sauce.

How it’s served

A calzone is typically a single serving for a meal while stromboli is meant to be shared. After baking and resting, a calzone can be sliced in half to make it easier to dip. Stromboli is usually cut into slices after baking, making it perfect for anything from a family get-together to a party for your teen.

Origin

Calzones originated in Naples, Italy, while stromboli originated in the United States, likely in Philadelphia. Calzones were created because they’re easy to take on the go and eat without utensils. There’s some debate about who first created stromboli in the United States and why, but it’s likely a result of Italian-American cooks experimenting.

Homemade stromboli ideas

Are you ready to get in on the stromboli action? With some premade pizza dough, you can make the perfect appetizer to share at your next dinner party.

Stromboli cooking tips:

• Leave a few centimeters of dough on either side of the rectangle free from sauce or toppings. This makes folding easier.
• Use an egg wash to help your dough stick to itself and ensure it doesn’t unfold.
• Brush the dough with egg wash and bake until golden. You can sprinkle some flaky salt or Parmesan to finish, too.

Classic stromboli

Fillings: Mozzarella, pepperoni, Parmesan

Dipping sauce: Marinara 

This take on a classic pepperoni stromboli takes only 35 minutes and is the perfect shareable dinner for friends and family.

Grab it now on Instacart:

Pizza Dough

Mozzarella Cheese

Ricotta Cheese

Pizza Sauce

Pepperoni

Meat lover’s stromboli

Fillings: Ham, salami, pepperoni, black olives, mozzarella, Parmesan

Dipping sauce: Marinara

Whether you’re looking for some easy protein or to get rid of the last bit of your deli meats, this Taste of Italy stromboli is sure to please.

Mediterranean stromboli

Filling: Bell pepper, onion, pesto, spinach, banana peppers, fontina cheese

Dipping sauce: Herb-infused olive oil

This pepper, pesto and spinach stromboli is a tasty, veggie-packed dinner that will have the entire family asking for seconds.

Fig and arugula stromboli

Filling: Fig jam, arugula, goat cheese, caramelized onion

Dipping sauce: Balsamic vinaigrette

When you want something a little sweet and savory, check out this salty sweet stromboli.

Homemade calzone ideas

Looking for a new Italian dish to put in your dinner rotation? Calzones are simple, fun and delicious to make at home. Switch it up with the fillings — it’s a great way to use up your leftovers!

Calzone cooking tips:

• Use a fork to crimp and completely seal the calzone edges.
• Once folded, cut some vents in the dough with a knife to let steam escape so your calzone stays properly sealed.
• Brush some melted butter with garlic and Italian seasoning on your calzone before baking for added flavor.

Classic calzone

Filling: Ricotta, mozzarella, pepperoni

Dipping sauce: Marinara

Check out our favorite recipe for cheesy and portable homemade calzones for the perfect dinner on the go.

Buffalo chicken calzone

Filling: Chicken breast, buffalo sauce, mozzarella, ricotta

Dipping sauce: Blue cheese or ranch dressing

Buffalo-flavored anything is always a hit, so try these buffalo chicken calzones.

Spinach and artichoke calzone

Filling: Spinach, artichoke, ricotta, Parmesan

Dipping sauce: Marinara 
Who said spinach and artichoke dip isn’t a meal? Prove them wrong with these cheesy spinach and artichoke calzones.

Stromboli vs. Calzone: How To Decide for Pizza Night

Recipe by InstacartCourse: Appetizers, DinnerCuisine: Italian, AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Here are some of our favorite stromboli and calzone recipes to try.

Ingredients

• Taste of Italy stromboli

• Pepperoni stromboli

• Pepper, pesto and spinach stromboli

• Salty sweet stromboli

• Cheesy and portable homemade calzone

• Buffalo chicken calzone

• Spinach and artichoke calzone

Directions

• Choose one or more of the recipes above to try.
• Take a vote and see which your family likes best.

Bring home the dough for Italian dinners

Whether you’re trying to get your family to branch out with your homemade stromboli or looking to recreate your kid’s go-to calzone, you’ll find everything you need to make these culinary delights on Instacart. 

Put both meals to the test at Sunday dinner and see if you can settle once and for all which comes out in a match of stromboli vs. calzone.

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