Description
Mouthwatering Panini Perfection arrives with Italian Baked Sandwich, where layers of savory meats and melted cheese create a quick weeknight dinner solution for your hungry family. Crispy bread, zesty marinara, and hearty fillings combine in one simple bake that brings classic Italian comfort straight to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
Meats:
- ½ pound thinly sliced ham
- ½ pound thinly sliced salami
- ¼ pound thinly sliced pepperoni
Bread and Cheese:
- 1 loaf Italian bread
- ½ pound thinly sliced provolone cheese
Seasonings and Add-ins:
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ cup marinated artichoke hearts
- ½ cup roasted red peppers
- ¼ cup Kalamata olives
- ¼ cup pepperoncini peppers
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Fire up your oven to 350°F (175°C) for perfect baking temperature.
- Split a 24-inch Italian bread loaf horizontally, keeping one side attached. Scoop out some inner bread if your sandwich feels too puffy.
- Whisk ½ cup olive oil, ¼ cup balsamic vinegar, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, and ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes in a small bowl.
- Generously paint both bread surfaces with your zesty marinade using a pastry brush.
- Spread ¼ pound provolone cheese across the bottom bread half in an even layer.
- Layer ½ pound ham slices, followed by ½ pound salami, then ¼ pound pepperoni across the cheese.
- Cover the meats with remaining ¼ pound provolone cheese slices.
- Scatter ½ cup chopped artichoke hearts, ½ cup roasted red pepper slices, ¼ cup Kalamata olive pieces, and ¼ cup pepperoncini across the cheese.
- Sprinkle ¼ cup chopped fresh basil leaves over the vegetable layer.
- Dust the entire sandwich with salt and black pepper according to your taste preference.
- Carefully close the sandwich by pressing the top bread half down gently.
- Wrap the entire sandwich completely in aluminum foil.
- Place the foil-wrapped sandwich on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese melts thoroughly.
- Remove foil and return sandwich to oven for 5-10 minutes to crisp the bread to golden brown.
- Rest the sandwich for 3-4 minutes after removing from oven.
- Slice with a large serrated knife into individual portions and serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- Customize the sandwich by selecting your favorite deli meats and cheeses to make it uniquely yours.
- Toast the bread slightly before adding fillings to prevent sogginess and enhance the sandwich’s crunch.
- Drain marinated ingredients thoroughly to avoid excess moisture that could make the bread soggy.
- For a vegetarian version, replace meats with grilled vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, and portobello mushrooms.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-35 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 527 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1125 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg