Italian Sandwich
Enjoy the savory, zesty, and oh-so-tasty Italian sandwiches loaded with crisp and tangy lettuce salad without mayo, delicious meats, and soft cheese! Hearty ciabbata bread is the perfect bread to hold all the fillings in place. 10-minutes dinner never tasted this delicious!
Ingredients
For grinder salad:
- 1 cup shredded Iceberg lettuce Note 1
- 1 tomato thinly sliced, Note 2
- ¼ red onion thinly sliced
- roasted red pepper strips to taste, Note 3
- banana pepper rings to taste, hot or mild
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
For sandwiches:
- 2 ciabatta breads Note 4
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning or dried oregano
- 2 oz pepperoni Note 5
- 2 oz capicola
- 2 oz Genoa salami
- 4 oz Provolone cheese
Instructions
To make the grinder salad:
- In a large bowl, combine lettuce, tomato, onion, roasted red pepper and hot banana pepper rings.
- Drizzle in olive oil and red wine vinegar and toss to combine. This step is best when done right before assembling the sandwich, so it’s nice and crisp!
To assemble the sandwiches:
- Slice the breads in half and toast it, if desired. (To toast the bread, place the bread slices on a baking sheet. Bake at 400°F for about 4 minutes.)
- Drizzle some olive oil and vinegar, and sprinkle Italian seasoning, or dried oregano.
- Place the cheese and then tomato slices on both bread slices.
- Then layer the meats on both sides of the bread.
- Pile the grinder salad on the bottom breads and place the top breads to close the sandwiches. Enjoy!
Notes
Note 1: Iceberg lettuce is a classic for sandwiches for a good reason. It’s crispy, doesn’t wilt easily, and has a mild flavor.
Note 2: Roma tomatoes are firm and less watery, making them ideal for sandwiches! Beefsteak and heirloom tomatoes are also great options if available.
Note 3: I love Mezzetta brand roasted red pepper and banana pepper. You can go with hot or mild banana peppers. And add as much or as little as you’d like.
Note 4: I personally love ciabatta bread for this recipe. Sturdy crusty breads are best because they hold up well. Good options are hoagie, Italian hard roll with or without seeds.
Note 5: There are so many delicious cold cut meats. Here are some of the most popular options for grinder sandwiches: hot soppressata, capicola (spicy Italian ham), mortadella, Genoa salami. Aim for 2-3oz of meat per sandwich.
Storing Tips:
- This Italian sandwich recipe will keep fresh in the fridge for about a day. However, the longer the sandwiches sit, the soggier the bread and veggies will be. So, it’s best to serve them right away!
- If possible, store the grinder salad mixture in an airtight container separate from the bread, and store it in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. Then, assemble the sandwiches when you’re ready to eat.
- This Italian sandwich recipe will keep fresh in the fridge for about a day. However, the longer the sandwiches sit, the soggier the bread and veggies will be. So, it’s best to serve them right away!
- If possible, store the grinder salad mixture in an airtight container separate from the bread, and store it in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. Then, assemble the sandwiches when you’re ready to eat.
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingCalories: 659kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 35gFat: 56gSaturated Fat: 22gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 26gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 114mgSodium: 2119mgPotassium: 499mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 1307IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 457mgIron: 2mg
* Disclaimer: All nutrition information are estimates only.
