Description
This Giant Muffaletta Italian Sandwich is a classic New Orleans delight featuring layers of Italian cold cuts and cheeses topped with a tangy, flavorful olive salad. Perfect for sharing, this sandwich combines savory meats, creamy cheeses, and a zesty olive medley in a large round loaf, creating a hearty and satisfying meal without any cooking required.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Sandwich:
- 1 large round muffaletta bread (about 10-12 inches in diameter, or substitute with a round Italian loaf)
- ¼ lb Genoa salami, sliced thin
- ¼ lb Italian ham, sliced thin
- ¼ lb mortadella, sliced thin
- ¼ lb provolone cheese, sliced
- ¼ lb mozzarella cheese, sliced
- ¼ lb capicola, sliced
- ¼ lb pepperoni, sliced
- ¼ lb roasted red peppers (optional)
For the Olive Salad:
- 1 ½ cups green olives, pitted and chopped
- 1 cup kalamata olives, pitted and chopped
- ½ cup pickled carrots, chopped
- ¼ cup roasted red peppers, chopped
- ¼ cup celery, chopped
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Make the Olive Salad: In a medium bowl, combine the green olives, kalamata olives, pickled carrots, roasted red peppers, and celery to create the base of the savory olive salad.
- Season the Salad: Add the red wine vinegar, olive oil, fresh parsley, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to the bowl. Stir everything together thoroughly and let the mixture sit for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Prepare the Muffaletta Bread: Slice the muffaletta bread horizontally in half to create a top and bottom. Optionally, scoop out some of the soft inner bread to make additional space for the fillings.
- Assemble the Sandwich Layers: On the bottom half of the bread, layer the sliced Genoa salami, Italian ham, mortadella, provolone cheese, mozzarella cheese, capicola, and pepperoni evenly to form a hearty filling.
- Add the Olive Salad: Spoon a generous amount of the prepared olive salad evenly over the layered meats and cheeses, ensuring the entire surface is covered to infuse the sandwich with robust flavor.
- Top and Press: Place the top half of the bread onto the sandwich and press down gently to compact the layers, helping the flavors blend together.
- Wrap and Chill: Wrap the assembled sandwich tightly in plastic wrap or parchment paper. Refrigerate it for at least one hour, or preferably overnight, to let the flavors develop and the sandwich set perfectly.
- Serve: Slice the sandwich into wedges or halves as desired and enjoy this classic giant Muffaletta that’s bursting with Italian flavors.
Notes
- For a vegetarian option, omit the meats and add more cheese and roasted vegetables.
- Allowing the sandwich to rest in the refrigerator overnight significantly improves flavor melding.
- You can adjust the amount of olive salad to your preference for more or less tanginess.
- If muffaletta bread is unavailable, a large round Italian loaf or focaccia works as a good substitute.
- Serve with pickles or chips for a complete meal experience.
