Best Picnic Sandwich – Calzone & Stromboli Recipe
Stromboli and calzone: how can it get much better than savory fillings stuffed inside decadent bread? I’m feeding a houseful tonight and want something simple that doesn’t require a ton of hands-on time. This Italian picnic sandwich is the perfect fix.
Stromboli or Calzone? You decide!
I’ve taken from both calzone and stromboli style dishes to make the best stuffed sandwich, in my opinion. I roll the dough out rectangular like the stromboli, but I let the filling stand alone on the inside as I fold the dough around upon itself like a calzone. I get the best of both worlds this way!
This sandwich is a real showstopper if you brush a little egg white over the top of the bread before it goes into the oven and sprinkle sesame seeds or poppy seeds over the top. I take this sandwich with me on picnics and have even served it at teas and showers, but it’s also an easy, crowd-pleasing dinner.
Make it a Stromboli
If you would rather make this strictly a stromboli recipe:
Roll the dough into a rectangle, leaving a 1-inch border on the bottom and sides and a 3-inch border on top. Arrange a layer of sliced meat onto the dough rectangle. Add a layer of the cheese. Repeat. Slowly roll into a tight log, folding in the two ends as you roll. Transfer the stromboli to a baking sheet. Brush the top with egg wash and sprinkle sesame seeds or poppyseeds on top.
Make it a Calzone
If making a calzone, you can make one whole thing or 4 small calzones.
Roll the dough into a circle and add equal parts of the filling onto one side of the dough. Fold the other half of the dough over the filling and crimp the edges. Cut 2-3 air vents into the top of the calzone. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle sesame seeds or poppyseeds on top.
Is stromboli dough just pizza dough?
It can be. Tonight I am making this sandwich with frozen dough that you can find in the freezer section at the store, but if you make your own sourdough and plan ahead (which I didn’t this time), use the sourdough dough for sure. Try the dough from my sourdough bread recipe! Either way, the golden crust will be delicious.
What fillings go well in both calzone and stromboli?
Inside this sandwich are Italian cold cuts, provolone cheese (or Monterey jack or sharp cheddar), sliced onion, and chopped sweet bell peppers plus dried oregano.
You can also add pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, mushrooms, spinach leaves, or prosciutto.
The Marinara Dipping Sauce
Calzones typically have the tomato sauce poured over the top, but I find that marinara makes the perfect dipping sauce for this sandwich.
Italian Picnic Sandwich
Ingredients
For the Sandwich
- 1 pound loaf frozen bread dough pizza dough, or homemade sourdough plus flour for dusting
- 4 ounces thinly sliced genoa salami
- 4 ounces thinly sliced ham
- 4 ounces thinly sliced pickle
- 8 ounces ricotta cheese
- 8 ounces provolone Monterey Jack, or sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 medium onion sliced
- ½ green bell pepper chopped
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 egg beaten with 1 teaspoon water
- Sesame Seeds or poppy seeds optional
For the Marinara Sauce
- 5 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion diced
- 4 clove garlic finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 lb. fresh tomatoes or 1 28-ounce can tomatoes chopped with their juices
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 3 basil leaves chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- If you are using frozen dough, allow it to completely thaw. On a lightly floured surface, use a rolling pin to roll the dough to a 10 x 14-inch rectangle. Place the dough on a lightly greased baking sheet.
- Layer the meats over the center third of the dough. Dollop the ricotta over the meats and then sprinkle on the cheeses. Layer the onions and peppers over the cheeses. Sprinkle the oregano over filling. Bring the edges of the dough to the center and seal it.
- Turn the dough seam side down on the baking sheet. Make slits on the top of the loaf with a knife. Brush the loaf with the egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds or poppyseeds. Place in the oven and bake for about 25 minutes, or until the dough is done and golden brown. Cool on a rack for at least 10 minutes. Spread marinara sauce on top of the stromboli or serve as a dipping sauce.
- On a cutting board, slice into individual portions. Serve slices with chips and a light salad.
