What's the Difference? Calzones vs. Stromboli (2024)

What's the Difference? Calzones vs. Stromboli (1)

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Most often, people mix up calzones and stromboli. While they sound similar, there is actually a difference between the two Italian dishes. Both are delicious dishes, but it is important to know the difference between the two. There are also similarities among calzones and stromboli. Here is everything that you need to know if you are confused between the two and are wondering which one you would prefer to order the next time you are at an Italian restaurant. Read below to learn more about calzones vs. stromboli.

What is a Calzone?

A calzone is essentially an inside out pizza. The dough is stuffed with a filling before it is folded into a half circle shape and served as one serving for one person. The filling of a calzone contains always contains cheese. Sometimes, similar to pizza, other toppings are added, such as meats and veggie options. Calzones are popular in Southern Italy, specifically Naples, where they are often sold fresh for lunch or dinner. They are also very popular to order at Italian restaurants in the United States and Canada. Calzones are a great option if you want a similar taste to pizza, but you want to try something new. Calzones are fun to make at home because you are able to fully customize the filing inside of the calzone to suit your preferences.

What is a Stromboli?

A stromboli is also a stuffed dough. However, stromboli is rolled up instead of folded over like a calzone is. Stromboli is an Italian American food that originated in Philadelphia, PA. It is typically made with fresh dough and stuffed with Italian meats and cheeses, such as pepperoni and mozzarella. Stromboli can be served for lunch or for dinner. It is usually formulated in a log shape, baked, and then cut up into various slices. It is shared amongst a group so that everyone can taste its deliciousness.

Differences Between Calzones and Stromboli

The first difference between calzones and stromboli is the way in which each food item is sealed. A calzone is sealed in a half circle shape, while a stromboli is rolled. The second difference between calzones and stromboli is the way in which they are stuffed. Calzones usually contain more stuffing than stromboli. The third way in which calzones and stromboli differ is their size. Often, calzones are shaped for a single serving while stromboli is shaped to be cut up into slices for sharing. Thus, if you are eating alone, we suggest eating a calzone. If you are eating in a group setting, we suggest a stromboli. Finally, the last way in which calzones and stromboli differ is their origins. Calzones originated in Italy, specifically Naples, Italy. Stromboli, on the other hand, was introduced in America, specifically in Philadelphia, PA. Stromboli is still considered an Italian dish; however, it is seen as an Italian American dish.

Which One Should You Order: Calzones vs. Stromboli

When it comes to calzones vs. stromboli, you truly cannot go wrong with either one. One suggestion is that if you are only looking for food for yourself, a calzone is usually a good option because it is a single serving. If you are looking for food for multiple people, a stromboli is the better option because it can be sliced for multiple people to eat. Both calzones and stromboli are equally delicious Italian dishes so there really is no wrong answer when deciding between the two options!

Summary

Calzones are essentially half circle, inside out pizzas. Stromboli, on the other hand, are rolled. Both calzones and stromboli can be filled with a variety of ingredients such as meat, veggies, cheese, or a combination of all three ingredients. Both can be customized and filled with various ingredients to suit the tastes of just about anyone. Also, both calzones and stromboli often come with a side of marinara sauce to dip the calzone or stromboli into. This adds more flavor to the dish. These two Italian dishes are very similar, but they are actually different foods. If you’re looking for an alternative to pizza that is still just as delicious, we recommend you try a calzone or stromboli. Visit Palermo's Pizza located in Parsippany, NJ to try a calzone or stromboli today and taste the difference for yourself!

What's the Difference? Calzones vs. Stromboli (2024)

FAQs

What's the Difference? Calzones vs. Stromboli? ›

A calzone features a circle of dough that's folded in half over the filling and sealed by crimping, like a pasty or empanada. A stromboli starts with a rectangular piece of dough that's then topped with add-ins and cheese, rolled up lengthwise and sealed by folding and pressing the extra dough over the edges.

What is a pizza rolled up called? ›

Stromboli is like the rolled-up cousin of pizza – its easy to eat with your hands and makes for a great shared appetizer. Plus, one recipe can feed a crowd!

What is the difference between calzones and stromboli? ›

A stromboli is larger and longer than a calzone and is baked as one piece and then cut into slices for serving a crowd. Calzones also start with pizza dough, but instead of forming a large rectangle, a small or medium ball is rolled or stretched out into a round.

Why is a calzone not a pizza? ›

The basic difference between a pizza and a calzone is that a pizza is served on flat open bread, while a calzone is a closed dough dish that basically can have similar ingredients. Pizza, unlike the calzones, needs no introduction. It is known and eaten in almost every part of the world.

What is a pizza called folded in half? ›

A calzone is an Italian dish that features a circular piece of pizza or yeasted bread dough that's folded in half over a filling that includes ricotta, and often mozzarella and Parmesan, too, cured meats, vegetables and herbs, then sealed shut using a crimping technique.

What is the bottom of pizza called? ›

Pizza crust is the base for any type of pizza and serves as a foundation for mozzarella cheese, provolone cheese, Parmesan cheese, tomato sauce, pepperoni, veggies, oregano, or other toppings. Depending on the type of recipe, pizza crust ranges in texture from doughy and chewy to thin and crispy.

What is the English version of a calzone? ›

Calzone, a traditional Italian stuffed bread, was originally shaped into a long, narrow tube, akin to stromboli; in fact, the translation of calzone is "pant leg" These days, most calzone makers simply roll dough out like a pizza and fold it over like a turnover.

Is calzone more unhealthy than pizza? ›

Did you know that a standard calzone has over 1000 calories? On the other hand, a slice of pizza is around 300 calories. So just because they're technically the same in terms of ingredients and taste, they're not! A calzone can equal 3 slices of pizza so choose wisely!

Is pizza dough the same as calzone dough? ›

Both are prepared with flour, water, salt, and yeast; that's the solution. In contrast, the eggs and olive oil used in most calzone dough give it a deeper flavor and a softer texture. Eggs and oil are not common ingredients in pizza dough, contributing to its crispiness and durability.

Why do Italian hate ketchup on pizza? ›

In general, Italians do not favor putting ketchup on pizza. The reason is that pizza is a savoury snack, not a sweet-sour one, therefore ketchup does not fit, and would ruin pizza's flavor profile. For the same reason, sweet toppings on pizza, including fruity ones (e.g. pineapple), are generally rejected.

Are calzones supposed to have sauce in them? ›

Calzones never have tomato sauce inside the dough. They're always dipped. While stromboli is also dip-able, it's totally cool to put some sauce inside stromboli, pre-roll. Whether you're team stromboli or team calzone, these distinctions shouldn't inspire hate.

Is a calzone just a folded pizza? ›

It gets its name from a trouser leg or stocking, based on its shape. But while the look of a calzone can't be mistaken for a pizza, many people think it's just that – a pizza folded over, with the topping all on the inside.

Which is healthier, a calzone or a stromboli? ›

A calzone is healthier because it has less cheese. While a stromboli contains cheese and pepperoni, a calzone has leaner meat and whole-wheat dough. The whole-wheat dough is lower in calories and contains more fiber. You should also avoid processed meats.

Do calzones always have ricotta? ›

Calzones usually contain the same ingredients as pizza: tomato sauce, mozzarella, and (almost always) ricotta.

What does stromboli mean in English? ›

strom·​bo·​li sträm-ˈbō-lē plural strombolis. : bread dough that is rolled or sometimes folded around a filling often composed of cheese, cold cuts, vegetables, and sauce and then baked. A close relative of pizza, stromboli is made, essentially, by rolling up an unbaked pizza like a log, tucking in the ends as you go.

What is a fancy word for pizza rolls? ›

Cue stromboli. What's with the fancy name? It is just pizza roll but calling it stromboli with some Italian-American fanfare is so much more fun.

What are the pizza rolls called? ›

Pizza snack rolls (also called pizza rolls, pizza bites, pizza snacks, or pizza poppers) are a frozen food product consisting of bite-sized breaded pizza pockets with an interior of tomato sauce, imitation cheese, and various pizza toppings.

What is the wrapped pizza called? ›

calzone: a stuffed and oven-baked pizza usually served with a side of marinara sauce for dipping. Unlike a stromboli, which is rolled over itself to create layers of dough and filling, a calzone is more like a folded over and sealed pizza.

What is a rolling pizza? ›

Pizza Rolls are a crowd-pleasing pizza that gets a little makeover into these fun party appetizers, snacks, or light meal pizza rolls. They are made with homemade pizza dough and pizza sauce with lots of sausages, pepperoni, and cheese; then, they're brushed with a flavorful, buttery mixture for a fantastic finish.

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