There is something so satisfying about turning leftover dough into a completely new dinner, and this quick and easy stromboli might be one of my new favorite “stretch a meal” recipes. If you’ve made my Classic White Bread recipe, you already know it yields a generous amount of dough — and instead of letting that extra portion go to waste, this stromboli transforms it into a warm, cheesy, crispy delight the whole family devours. It’s budget-friendly, toddler-approved, and perfect for busy weeknights when you want something comforting but don’t want to spend an hour in the kitchen.

This recipe is also super customizable. Use whatever deli meat you have on hand, swap the cheese, or load it up with veggies to boost the nutrition. Think of it as your personal pizza roll — but bigger, better, cheaper, and fresher.

Ingredients

Base

• 1 portion of classic bread dough (from my Classic White Bread recipe)
• 6–8 slices salami (or pepperoni, ham, turkey—whatever’s in the fridge)
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• ½ cup pasta sauce (any flavor — we used a chunky veggie sauce for extra flavor and texture)

Seasoned Butter Topping

• 3 tsp melted butter
• ½ tbsp parsley
• ½ tbsp garlic powder

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Roll out your leftover bread dough into a rectangle, roughly 10×14 inches. It doesn’t need to be perfect — rustic is the look!
3. Spread a thin layer of pasta sauce over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges.
4. Layer your salami across the sauce, followed by a generous sprinkle of mozzarella.
5. Roll it up starting from the long side, just like a jelly roll. Pinch the seam closed and fold the ends under for a neat finish.
6. Place seam-side down on your baking sheet.
7. Mix the melted butter, parsley, and garlic powder, then brush it all over the top for golden, garlic-buttery goodness.
8. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling inside.
9. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before slicing — this helps everything set and prevents the cheese from leaking out.

Serving Ideas

• Slice into thin pieces for a party appetizer
• Serve with a little cup of warm marinara or ranch for dipping
• Pair with a simple side salad for a complete meal
• Cut into strips for easy toddler-friendly finger food

Why I Love This Recipe

This stromboli checks every “frugal mom” box:
✔ Uses leftover bread dough
✔ Budget-friendly ingredients
✔ Fast weeknight dinner
✔ Customizable based on whatever is in the fridge
✔ Kid-approved!

Plus, it feels like a fancy takeout treat without the price tag. Win-win.