Both are delicious Italian creations made with pizza dough and stuffed with cheese. However there are some notable differences between a calzone and a stromboli. We will go over those differences in detail in: Calzone vs Stromboli – What’s The Difference?
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Calzone vs Stromboli – What’s The Difference And Why Does It Matter?
Before I Started SeasonalCookbook.com
At one time – long before my food blogging days – I was one of those people who rarely noticed the difference between similar foods.
Couscous or quinoa?
No opinion.
Black or pinto beans?
Who cares?
Calzone or stromboli?
Does it really matter?
Why Should I Care About The Differences Between A Calzone And A Stromboli?
At this point in my life, I am taking food, the seasonal recipes I share with you on this website and the specifics of the various cuisines I blog about, much more seriously.
The main reasons are because I only want to give accurate information to my readers.
And I also want to know the specific details of the recipes and cuisines I write about.
What Is A Calzone?
A calzone is a favorite menu item at most Italian restaurants and, especially Italian pizza restaurants.
It is usually made with pizza dough that’s folded over some type of cheese filling and baked in a pizza oven.
Calzones are usually made with a circular piece of dough that is then folded over the filling.
The resultant shape is semi-circular (SEE PHOTO BELOW)
What Is A Stromboli?
A Stromboli is a somewhat similar dish that is also made with pizza dough and stuffed with cheese and other fillings, such as meats and vegetables.
Which is then baked in a pizza oven.
Stromboli’s are usually made using a rectangular piece of dough that is folded lengthwise over the fillings and then rolled up.
The resultant shape is cylindrical (and sometimes even rectangular – if the dough at each end is sliced off, sharply)
What Are The Key Differences Between A Calzone And A Stromboli?
Calzone vs Stromboli – Their Shapes Are Different
As we just learned, calzones and strombolis are shaped differently.
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Calzones are semi-circular and strombolis are cylindrical or even rectangular.
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of a stromboli vs a calzone.
But is that it? There has to be more to it…
Indeed there is!
Calzone vs Stromboli – Sealed With a Twist?
If you couldn’t guess by the heading above, there is a bit of a ‘twist’ – or difference – to the way each is sealed.
The sealing technique is one of the key distinctions between calzones and strombolis.
Sealing The Calzone
A calzone is sealed by folding a circular piece of dough over the cheese and any other fillings.
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The two pieces of dough are then secured to each other by crimping the top and bottom of the outer perimeter of the dough together.
This can give a calzone a look similar to an empanada – a very large empanada!
Sealing The Stromboli
Strombolis are sealed by rolling the dough over the fillings and folding any excess dough back under the stromboli.
Sometimes each end of the stromboli is sliced off at a 90 degree angle so that the shape is rectangular.
Since strombolis are sealed by rolling the dough, the inside looks like a spiral pastry.
That is – if you can see the inside through all the gooey, melty cheese!
The best way I found to remember this is to think of the sound of the word, stromboooowwwwwllllleeee.
The long ‘ohhh’ sound in the word stromboli sounds like the long ‘ohhh’ sound in the word rolled!
Calzone vs Stromboli – What’s The Difference? Another Viewpoint
One of the best comparisons I’ve read regarding the difference between a calzone and a stromboli is this one from Bon Appetit that uses a simple taco vs burrito analogy.
I encourage you to check out the link and read that Bon Appetit article for another detailed perspective on the difference between a calzone and a stromboli.
Plus, their food photos are way nicer than mine, too!
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Calzone vs Stromboli – Let’s Get Cheesy!
Another difference between calzones and strombolis are the cheese fillings.
Calzone vs Stromboli – The Cheese Fillings Are Different
While calzones and strombolis may contain vegetables and meats as part of their filling, each contains cheese.
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And it’s true that cheese is the primary filling in, both, calzones and strombolis.
But the types of cheeses you’ll find in a calzone versus a stromboli vary slightly.
While calzones and strombolis may both contain mozzarella, calzones almost always contain ricotta cheese.
Calzone vs Stromboli – More Differences!
The Fillings
Both calzones and strombolis contain cheese as their primary filling.
As we discussed above, calzones always contain ricotta cheese.
Calzones may also include other cheeses, such as mozzarella.
Strombolis only contain mozzarella and do not incorporate ricotta cheese at all.
Is Cheese The Only Filling?
But cheese isn’t the only filling you’ll find in these two pizza alternatives!
Calzones may also contain vegetables, such as green peppers, red peppers, broccoli and even meats.
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Strombolis may also include various vegetables, but in my area it is more common for strombolis to also incorporate some type of meat into their fillings.
Common meats that strombolis are stuffed with include sausage, ground beef and ham.
How They Are Eaten
Calzones don’t contain sauce on the inside, however they are often served with marinara sauce.
Calzones are meant to be eaten by hand and dipped into the marinara sauce that is served as a side.
Strombolis, on the other hand, may contain tomato or marinara sauce on the inside – along with other fillings.
And strombolis can also be dipped into sauce, as well!
Strombolis are typically eaten with a fork and knife – usually while seated!
Strombolis can be eaten on-the-go, but it is more likely you will lose a few of the fillings if you aren’t super careful.
Calzone vs Stromboli – Where Did Each Originate?
Calzone
Calzones originated in Italy.
Italians were looking for a neater, less messy way to eat pizza on-the-go.
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The result was this ‘self-contained’ pizza that you could eat while walking down the street – without making a mess!
Stromboli
A stromboli is an Italian-American dish that was created in the ‘Little Italy’ section of Southern Philadelphia.
Calzone – Literal Translation
The word calzone literally means ‘pants-leg’ in English.
I think it’s probably the shape of the calzone that is being referred to here, but I am not aware of many pant legs that look semi-circular.
Frankly I think the stromboli I had my local pizza joint prepare for this article more closely resembles a pant-leg.
Nevertheless, calzone means pants or trousers-leg when translated from Italian to English.
Perhaps the idea is that a pants leg securely contains someone’s leg similar to how a calzone securely contains its fillings!
I still like to think of a calzone as a ‘less messy pizza you can eat on the run’!
Stromboli – Literal Translation?
Unlike the word, calzone, there is no literal translation for the word stromboli.
Strombolis are named after an Italian island known as the Isle of Stromboli, which got its name from a large volcano on the island, itself.
The volcano is known as Mount Stromboli.
I think I can see the connotation better here…
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Strombolis are like an explosion of flavors and the filling(s) may very well come exploding out when sliced into!
By the way, did I mention I prefer to eat strombolis with a fork and knife?
I find them a bit messier than calzones!
Calzone vs Stromboli – They Are Different!
So, as you can plainly see from everything we discussed above – calzones and strombolis are two clearly different pizza alternatives.
Calzone vs Stromboli – What’s The Difference? Let’s Review…
- Their shapes are different
- Calzones always contain ricotta as one of its cheese fillings, while strombolis only contain mozzarella
- Strombolis and calzones are sealed differently
- Calzones originated in Italy
- Strombolis originated in South Philly’s Little Italy neighborhood
- While both may contain meat, it’s more common for strombolis to include meat as a filling
Are There Any Calzone Or Stromboli Recipes On SeasonalCookbook.com?
Frankly, even though these are two of my favorite menu items at our local Italian pizza restaurant, I don’t have any calzone or stromboli recipes on SeasonalCookbook.com.
The baking techniques required to make a stromboli or calzone are a little bit out of my comfort zone.
Plus, I don’t think I could do either of these recipes justice without this fabulous Ooni Karu Outdoor Pizza Oven!
My Favorite Online Calzone Recipe
But, if you are looking for a great calzones recipe online, check this one out from Lauren Over At Tastes Better From Scratch.
My Favorite Stromboli Recipe Online
And my recommendation for a stromboli you can make yourself is this great recipe from Stephanie over at The Cozy Cook.
Whether you prefer to buy your calzones or strombolis (like I do) or try making them yourself, I think you’ll be more than satisfied with either of my two recommendations above!
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What Do You Think About This Calzone vs Stromboli – What’s The Difference Post?
Do you have anything to add about the differences between calzones and strombolis?
Let me know if I missed anything!
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And please tell me which you prefer – are you Team Calzone or Team Stromboli?
I would also love to know what your favorite fillings are?
Please leave a comment in the COMMENTS SECTION below!
Calzone vs Stromboli – Glad I Got That Off My Chest!
This is a post I had been wanting to write for quite some time!
I’m glad I finally got around to it.
I hope that I helped clear up some of the mystery surrounding the differences between a calzone and a stromboli.
I promise to come back with another new recipe next time.
But, in the meantime, if you are interested in checking out some of my latest recipes, here are a couple:
Hopefully, you’ll enjoy those recipes while I try to think of the next recipe I want to share with you.
Now, I have to get back to eating!
I can’t remember if I left off with my calzone or my stromboli!
Regardless, it doesn’t matter….LOL!
Why?
Because BOTH ARE DELICIOUS!
Until next time…
Happy Cooking!
