Both are pizza dough wrapped around cheese and fillings, and both came out of Italian-American kitchens. But a calzone and a stromboli are not the same thing. Here is how to tell them apart.
The short answer
Side-by-side comparison
| Calzone | Stromboli | |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | Folded half-moon, crimped edge | Rolled log, sliced into pinwheels |
| Origin | Naples, Italy | Italian-American; commonly credited to the Philadelphia area around 1950 |
| Cheese | Ricotta plus mozzarella | Mozzarella or provolone; rarely ricotta |
| Sauce | On the side for dipping | Sometimes rolled inside, often on the side |
| Serving | One per person | Sliced and shared |
How each is made
Calzone
- Stretch dough into a round.
- Fill one half with ricotta, mozzarella and toppings, leaving a border.
- Fold, crimp the edge, cut a steam vent and brush with oil or egg wash.
- Bake hot until golden, about 15–20 minutes at 450°F.
Stromboli
- Stretch dough into a rectangle.
- Layer cheese and sliced meats such as salami, ham and pepperoni.
- Roll up tightly, seal the seam and ends, and cut slits on top.
- Bake until deeply browned, then rest before slicing.
What about panzerotti?
Panzerotti are small calzone-style turnovers from Puglia, in southern Italy, and they are traditionally fried rather than baked.
Which one should you order?
- Want a creamy, cheesy meal for one? Calzone.
- Feeding a group or want a party snack? Stromboli slices.
- Love deli sandwiches? Stromboli is basically a baked sub; see our salami and Swiss guide for similar flavors.
Frequently asked questions
Does a stromboli have sauce inside?
Sometimes. Some shops roll a thin layer of sauce inside, but most serve marinara on the side.
Is a calzone bigger than a stromboli?
Not necessarily. A calzone is usually a single serving, while a stromboli is often a larger roll made for slicing and sharing.
Can you make a calzone without ricotta?
Yes. Many pizzerias do, but ricotta is the traditional ingredient that sets a calzone apart.
This guide is published by the team preserving the Umbria Gourmet Pizzeria website. Umbria Gourmet Pizzeria at 521 W 98th St, Bloomington, MN has permanently closed; this page offers general food information and is not an offer to order.
