Giant Muffaletta Italian Sandwich Recipe

by

This Giant Muffaletta Italian Sandwich is a hearty, flavor-packed meal loaded with layers of savory meats, creamy cheeses, and a bold, tangy olive salad. Perfect for picnics, parties, or a satisfying family meal.

Ingredients

For the Olive Salad:

  • 1 cup green olives, pitted and chopped
  • 1 cup black olives, pitted and chopped
  • 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, chopped
  • 1/4 cup pickled giardiniera, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Sandwich:

  • 1 large round loaf of Italian or French bread (9-10 inch loaf)
  • 1/4 lb sliced Genoa salami
  • 1/4 lb sliced mortadella
  • 1/4 lb sliced chicken ham
  • 1/4 lb sliced provolone cheese
  • 1/4 lb sliced mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Olive Salad:
    • In a medium bowl, combine green olives, black olives, roasted red peppers, giardiniera, and minced garlic.
    • Stir in olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, and basil.
    • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
    • Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight) to let the flavors meld.
  2. Prepare the Bread:
    • Slice the loaf horizontally.
    • Scoop out some of the interior if the bread is thick, creating space for the fillings.
  3. Assemble the Sandwich:
    • Spread half of the olive salad on the bottom half of the bread.
    • Layer the Genoa salami, mortadella, chicken ham, provolone, and mozzarella.
    • Spread the remaining olive salad on the top half of the bread.
  4. Press the Sandwich:
    • Close the sandwich and wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil.
    • Place a heavy skillet or a few cans on top to press it.
    • Let it sit for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour.
  5. Serve:
    • Unwrap and slice into wedges.
    • Serve at room temperature.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour
Servings: 4-6

Tips for the Perfect Muffaletta Sandwich

  1. Use a sturdy bread
    Choose a dense, crusty round loaf like Italian or French bread so it holds up to all the layers and juicy olive salad without getting soggy.
  2. Scoop the bread
    Hollow out some of the inside of the bread to create space for the fillings and ensure the sandwich isn’t too bulky to eat.
  3. Chop the olive salad finely
    A finer chop on the olives and vegetables helps the salad spread evenly and stick better to the bread.
  4. Let it marinate
    Make the olive salad a day in advance for maximum flavor. The longer it sits, the better it tastes!
  5. Press the sandwich
    Pressing the sandwich with a heavy skillet or cans helps the flavors meld and makes it easier to cut clean slices.
  6. Layer meats and cheeses evenly
    Distribute the ingredients in even layers so every bite has a perfect mix of meat, cheese, and olive salad.
  7. Wrap it tightly
    Wrap the sandwich in plastic wrap or foil before pressing to hold everything in place and keep the bread from drying out.
  8. Serve at room temperature
    Allowing the sandwich to rest and come to room temp enhances the flavors, making it taste even better.
  9. Use a sharp serrated knife to slice
    A bread knife makes it easy to slice through the crusty bread and thick layers cleanly.
  10. Get creative with the filling
    Try swapping meats, adding banana peppers, or using different cheeses like pepper jack or Swiss to customize the sandwich to your taste.

Delicious Muffaletta Variations

  1. Spicy Muffaletta
    Add sliced pepperoni, hot capicola, or spicy soppressata and a dash of crushed red pepper to the olive salad for a fiery kick.
  2. Turkey & Swiss Muffaletta
    Swap the traditional meats with sliced smoked turkey, black forest ham, and Swiss cheese for a milder, deli-style twist.
  3. Roast Beef & Horseradish Muffaletta
    Layer in roast beef with provolone and spread a thin layer of horseradish mayo for a bold, zesty flavor punch.
  4. Veggie Muffaletta
    Skip the meat and load up on roasted zucchini, eggplant, mushrooms, provolone, and mozzarella with that classic olive salad.
  5. Breakfast Muffaletta
    Use scrambled eggs, cooked bacon or sausage, cheddar cheese, and a peppery olive relish for a hearty morning version.
  6. BBQ Muffaletta
    Fill your sandwich with pulled pork, sharp cheddar, and a tangy BBQ-olive slaw mix for a Southern-style mashup.
  7. Pesto Chicken Muffaletta
    Combine shredded rotisserie chicken, fresh mozzarella, and a basil pesto-infused olive salad for a bright, fresh twist.
  8. Greek Muffaletta
    Mix Kalamata olives, feta cheese, cucumber, roasted red peppers, and oregano into your salad; layer with deli chicken or lamb slices.
  9. Italian Tuna Muffaletta
    Replace meats with oil-packed Italian tuna, capers, artichokes, and sharp provolone for a Mediterranean take.
  10. Mini Muffalettas (Party Sliders)
    Use small ciabatta rolls or dinner buns to make individual-sized muffalettasβ€”perfect for parties and potlucks!

Leave a Comment