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This recipe for the best Italian sandwiches is an easy dinner or lunch plan you’re going to want to have on repeat. Layered with meats, cheese, lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and spicy peppers, it’s a classic sub sandwich that’s packed with flavor and comes together in less than 15 minutes without any special ingredients or equipment.
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If you don’t have a favorite Italian deli where you can grab the perfect bite at an affordable price, no worries! You can make the classic Italian sub at home for less!
Split open a small loaf of crusty bread and layer on thin slices of cured meats, creamy cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and piquant pepperoncini peppers. The whole thing comes together quickly and tastes amazing!
Why Make This
They are quick and easy to make.A bulk batch of these Italian sandwiches takes only 15 minutes to assemble. I know because making themen massewas one of my first college jobs.
They taste delicious.The combination of savory meats, tangy cheese, creamy herb mayo, crispy lettuce, and juicy tomato just cannot be beat.
They are easily packable.Why pay extra for a sub sandwich at a shop when you can make a better one for less at home? Wrapped in plastic wrap, these pack well so that you can brown bag it in style.
Ingredients
The different ingredients in an Italian Sub are pretty straightforward. Here’s what you’ll need:
sub or grinder roll– You can buy these at the grocery store bakery. They might be called Italian hoagie rolls or Italian sandwich rolls. You can also use a large Italian loaf and slice it or bake your ownHomemade Sub Rolls.
sliced ham and salami– This combo of meats is on point. I usually grab uncured ham and Genoa salami. See the variations below for some favorite restaurant copycat versions.
sliced provolone cheese– This cheese adds a bit of tang without overpowering the meat. You can also try slices of fresh mozzarella cheese for more upscale Italian sandwiches.
sandwich veggies like shredded iceberg lettuce, sliced fresh tomatoes, sliced red onion, pepperoncini– These vegetables offer just the right contrast of textures and tastes to make this sub sandwich really pop.
dressing– I once got in a heated debate with one of my cookbook editors over which flavorful sauce to use in this Italian sandwich recipe. She held thatvinaigretteis a must addition to an Italian sub, while I believe it’s theherbed mayonnaisethat takes this homemade sub sandwich over the top. Choose the one you prefer or you can do as my husband does and add both.
Variations
While I think these are the best Italian sandwiches on the planet, there are lots of ways to mix things up to suit your fancy.
Change the meats:You can change the combinations of the Italian cold cuts to suit your preferences or to copycat your favorite Subway or Jersey Mike’s sandwich:
- For an Italian BMT: add sliced pepperoni.
- For a Cold Cut Combo: add bologna.
- For a Jersey Shore’s Favorite: subcapicolafor the salami.
- For a Super Sub: sub capicola for the salami and add prosciutto.
- Other options: sliced roast beef, four pepper turkey
Add more veggies:you can add avocado slices,coleslaw, other lettuce or spinach, sliced cucumbers,roasted vegetables, olive salad,jalapenos, roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomato slices, sliced black olives,Dill Picklesor banana peppers.
Try other condiments:IfHerbed Mayonnaiseisn’t your style, you can try aHomemade Chipotle Mayofor a little heat or just keep it simple with thisFoolproof Homemade Mayonnaise.
Alternatively, you can also use a drizzle of red wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar. Maybe try adding a spread of pesto sauceor add a drizzle ofItalian dressingorBalsamic Salad Dressing.
Step-by-Step Instructions
These Italian sandwiches are super simple to make. If you’re making more than one, make the process even easier, by laying them all out at one time and prepping them assembly-line style.
- On a cutting board with a serrated knife, slice the rolls lengthwise, leaving a hinge on one side. Spread the mayo on both sides of the roll.
- Layer two slices of provolone on the bottom half of the bread.
- Add two slices of ham and four slices of salami.
- Add a layer of tomatoes. And then a layer of onion. Add a few handfuls of shredded lettuce. Garnish with a few slices of pepperoncini.
- Carefully fold the sandwich, keeping the filling inside. Serve immediately, or wrap well and store in the fridge until serving.
Make-ahead Instructions
These Italian Sub sandwiches are perfect for packing to school, work, picnics, orroad trips. Prepare the sandwiches, wrap well in plastic or a beeswax wrapper and store in the fridge or in a cooler until serving.When I made hundreds of these sandwiches every day, we prepared them at 6 in the morning to be served until closing time that night.
The mayonnaise is needed to keep the sandwich from being dry, but it will make the sandwich soggy if prepped too far in advance. If you’re going to make these sandwiches a day in advance, I’d leave off the mayo and add it before serving.
FAQs
What’s in an Italian Sub made of?
The ingredients in an Italian Sub are pretty straightforward: sub or grinder roll, sliced provolone, sliced ham and salami, shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes, sliced onion, pepperoncini.
Can you freeze an Italian Sub?
Bread, meats, and cheeses all freeze and thaw well, however, mayonnaise, lettuce, and tomatoes do not. If you’d like to freeze an Italian sub, assemble it with just the bread, meat, and cheese, wrap well with foil, and store in the freezer. Thaw in the refrigerator a few hours before serving. Consider heating it in the foil or toasting it open faced prior to serving to eliminate any excess moisture. Then you can add mayo, dressing, lettuce, and tomatoes if you wish.
More Great Sandwiches & Sandwich Fillings
Pulled Chicken Sliders (Instant Pot, Slow Cooker, Stovetop)
Homemade Everything Hamburger Buns Recipe
Easy Homemade Sloppy Joes Recipe (No Ketchup)
Easy Shredded Chicken Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls
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Italian Sub Sandwiches
The classic Italian Sub is an easy and affordable sandwich to make yourself. You’ll enjoy a great lunch at a price that can’t be beat!
4.50 from 10 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course, Snack
Cuisine: American, Italian
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 652kcal
Author: Jessica Fisher
Cost: $12.28
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 Italian sub rolls
- ½ cup herbed mayonnaise
- 8 provolone cheese slices
- 8 oz sliced ham
- 4 oz salami slices
- 2 tomato sliced
- ½ red onion sliced
- 6 oz shredded lettuce
- 8 pepperoncini sliced
US Customary – Metric
Instructions
Slice the Italian roll lengthwise, but not completely through; leave a hinge.
Spread 1-2 tablespoons of herbed mayo on the roll.
Layer the cheese, ham, salami, tomato, onion, shredded lettuce, and pepperoncini. Close the sandwich tightly.
Wrap securely in saran wrap. Chill until serving.
Notes
Make Ahead: Prepare the sandwiches, minus the mayo, wrap well in plastic or a beeswax wrapper and store in the fridge or in a cooler until serving. Serve the herbed mayonnaise on the side.
If you prefer, you can add Italian salad dressing instead of the mayo or in addition to it.
Promptly store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator, for up to 3 days.
Nutritional values are approximate and based on 1 sandwich.
Variations: You can change the combinations of the meat to suit your preferences or to copycat your favorite Subway or Jersey Mike’s sandwich.
- For an Italian BMT: add sliced pepperoni.
- For a Cold Cut Combo: add bologna.
- For a Jersey Shore’s Favorite: sub capicola for the salami.
- For a Super Sub: sub capicola for the salami and add prosciutto.
Nutrition
Calories: 652kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 43g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 15g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 71mg | Sodium: 1812mg | Potassium: 555mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 830IU | Vitamin C: 27mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 12mg
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This post was originally published on October 5, 2019. It has been updated for content and clarity.