BEST BAKED ITALIAN GRINDER SANDWICHES
These Baked Italian Grinder Sandwiches are a warm and melty deli-style treat perfect for sharing. Layers of savory Italian meats, tangy provolone, and a vibrant, crunchy slaw are nestled in a toasted, golden-brown crust for an easy and crowd-pleasing meal.
Equipment
- Oven
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment paper
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Small bowl
- Medium bowl
- Whisk
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- pastry brush
Ingredients
- 8 ounces provolone cheese slices
- 4 ounces ham, thinly sliced
- 4 ounces salami, thinly sliced
- 4 ounces pepperoni, thinly sliced
- 4 ounces capocollo or other Italian cold cut
- ¼ cup melted butter
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- ½ cup shredded iceberg lettuce
- ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
- ¼ cup chopped banana peppers
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Carefully slice the Italian bread horizontally, creating a top and bottom half. Don't cut all the way through the sides; leave the sides hinged.
- On the bottom half of the bread, layer half of the provolone cheese slices.
- Layer the ham, salami, pepperoni, and capocollo (or your favorite Italian cold cuts) evenly over the cheese.
- Top the meats with the remaining provolone cheese slices.
- In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, grated Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning.
- Brush this mixture evenly over the top half of the bread.
- Carefully place the assembled sandwich on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- While the sandwich is baking, prepare the grinder slaw. In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the shredded lettuce, red onion, banana peppers, and parsley to the bowl. Toss to combine.
- Once the sandwich is done baking, carefully remove it from the oven.
- Open the sandwich and spread the grinder slaw evenly over the cheese.
- Slice into individual portions and serve immediately.
Notes
Use a good quality Italian bread that's sturdy enough to hold all the fillings. Provolone cheese can be substituted with mozzarella, fontina, or an Italian cheese blend. Customize the meats to your liking with mortadella, prosciutto, or roasted turkey. Assemble the sandwich ahead of time and store in the refrigerator until ready to bake, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time. Add chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, or olives to the slaw for extra flavor and texture. For a spicy sandwich, add jalapeños to the slaw and use pepper jack cheese.