Classic Italian Muffuletta Sandwich Recipe
The Classic Italian Muffuletta Sandwich is a hearty, bold-flavored New Orleans staple featuring layers of savory Italian cured meats, tangy homemade olive salad, and melty provolone cheese on a round, crusty muffuletta loaf. This sandwich offers a deliciously balanced meal with rich flavor harmony, perfect for lunch, dinner, or sharing at gatherings.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No cooking required; sandwich prepping and chilling
- Cuisine: New Orleans Italian-American
- Diet: Can be adapted to Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Muffuletta Bread
- 1 round muffuletta loaf (Italian-style sesame bread)
Olive Salad
- 1 cup green olives, chopped
- 1 cup black olives, chopped
- 1/2 cup pickled vegetables (cauliflower, celery, carrots), chopped
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Italian Meats
- 4 oz salami, sliced
- 4 oz ham, sliced
- 4 oz mortadella, sliced
Cheese
- 6 oz provolone cheese, sliced
Additional
- Extra virgin olive oil (to lightly coat bread)
- Pickled vegetables (giardiniera or similar mix, included in olive salad)
Instructions
- Prepare the Olive Salad: Chop green and black olives along with pickled vegetables such as cauliflower, celery, and carrots. Mix them with extra virgin olive oil, vinegar, oregano, and minced garlic to create a tangy and flavorful olive salad essential for the sandwich.
- Slice the Muffuletta Bread: Using a serrated knife, carefully slice the muffuletta loaf horizontally into two equal halves. Scoop out some of the soft interior to make room for the fillings while maintaining the bread’s structure.
- Layer the Meats and Cheese: Evenly layer slices of salami, ham, and mortadella over the bottom half of the bread. Follow by covering the meats with generous slices of provolone cheese.
- Add the Olive Salad: Evenly spread the prepared olive salad over the cheese layer, adding moisture and zesty flavor to the sandwich.
- Close and Press the Sandwich: Place the top half of the muffuletta bread over the fillings. Wrap the sandwich tightly in parchment or plastic wrap, place a weight on it, and chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Notes
- Use freshly baked muffuletta bread and high-quality deli meats for authentic taste.
- Make the olive salad a day in advance for deeper flavor development.
- Use a heavy skillet or pan as a weight to press the sandwich effectively.
- Slice the sandwich with a sharp serrated knife to avoid squishing the contents.
- Let the sandwich rest chilled after pressing to enhance flavor melding and bread absorption.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 sandwich
- Calories: 500 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: Muffuletta Sandwich, Italian Sandwich, New Orleans Sandwich, Olive Salad, Italian Meats, Provolone Cheese, Classic Muffuletta, Party Sandwich