Ultimate Italian Sub Sandwich
Overview
One word, BAM! Another word, BANG! Anyway, this second place winner in our recipe contest is the only sandwich ever to make the podium. THAT's how BAM BANG MMMMMMM this sandwich is! This sandwich uses three Bella Sun Luci products!
Total Cook Time: 30 minutes
Bella Products Used:
Julienne Cut Sun Dried Tomatoes in Premium Oil with Italian Herbs 8.5 oz
Bella Sun Luci Tomato & Artichoke Pasta Sauce 25oz
Sun Dried Tomatoes Julienne-Cut with Zesty Peppers (Resealable Pouch)
Ingredients
- 1 Fresh loaf of French bread from a grocery store bakery 4-1/2" to 5” wide x 16” long. (Do not use hard/crusty artisan style bread)
Ingredients for garlic butter:
- ½ stick salted butter
- ¼ cup of herb olive oil from the jar of Bella Sun Luci Julienne Sun Dried Tomatoes in Olive Oil & Italian Herbs
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 2 large cloves of fresh garlic (crushed or finely grated)
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese (dry/canned style)
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Ingredients for tomato herb & cheese mixture:
- ¾ cup Bella Sun Luci Tomato & Artichoke Pasta Sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- ½ cup Bella Sun Luci Sun Dried Tomatoes Julienne-Cut with Zesty Peppers
- (chop into ¼” pieces)
- 2 cups grated low-moisture Mozzarella cheese (DO NOT use fresh mozzarella. Too soft)
Ingredients for sandwich filling:
- ½ lb. Black Forest ham (thin sliced from grocery deli)
- ½ lb. thin sliced Genoa salami (thin sliced from grocery deli)
- ½ small red *onion (thinly slice)
- 1½ cups pepperoncini slices (drain the liquid)
- ¾ cup Bella Sun Luci Julienne Sun Dried Tomatoes in Olive Oil & Italian Herbs, drained
- ½ cup pitted Kalamata Olives (Slice into rings)
*onion is optional
Directions
- PREHEAT oven to 350 degrees.
- Remove bread from bag and cut in half lengthwise. Keep both halves together and use the flat palms of both hands to firmly press down and compress the entire length of bread to a 1½” height. This technique is the key to creating a perfectly crispy and less doughy sandwich.
- Place both halves of bread cut side up and side by side on to a large cookie sheet. Set aside.
- Add butter and reserved Italian herb olive oil into a medium microwavable bowl.
- Microwave uncovered on high for 30 to 40 seconds to soften the butter. The butter does not need to melt completely.
- Stir in parsley, Italian seasoning, garlic, parmesan cheese, and paprika. Mix well.
- Lightly brush the outer halves of bread with a thin layer of butter mixture.
- Evenly spread the remaining butter mixture over the insides of bread.
- Thoroughly mix the Bella Sun Luci Tomato & Artichoke Marinara Pasta Sauce, Italian seasoning, Bella Sun Luci Sun Dried Tomatoes Julienne-Cut with Zesty Peppers, and mozzarella cheese in a medium/large bowl.
- Evenly spread the cheese mixture along the inside halves of bread.
- Layer the ham and salami slices along the bottom half of bread and allow the meat to hang a ¼” over the edge.
- Bake open faced for 10 to 12 minutes or until cheese is melted.
- Remove bread from the oven. Quickly and evenly distribute the onion (optional), pepperoncini, Bella Sun Luci Julienne Sun Dried Tomatoes in Olive Oil & Italian Herbs (drained), and olives over the deli meat and cover with the top portion of bread.
- Use a cookie sheet or a medium sized cutting board to gently press down along the entire length of the hot sandwich to allow the melted cheese to help adhere both halves together. Slice into 4 to 6 pieces. Serve hot and enjoy!
This sandwich can also be sliced into thinner pieces when served cold or at room temperature. It’s the perfect sandwich for any buffet table, party, potluck or on game nights! A real crowd pleaser!!
Related Recipes
