Description
These Baked Italian Grinder Sandwiches are a delightful blend of savory cured meats, melted cheeses, and flavorful veggies layered on Italian sub rolls, brushed with a seasoned butter mixture and baked to golden perfection. Perfect for a hearty lunch or casual dinner, these sandwiches offer a perfect balance of spicy, tangy, and cheesy flavors with a satisfying crunch from the toasted bread.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread and Butter Mixture
- 1 loaf Italian sub rolls
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Meats
- 1/2 pound deli-sliced salami
- 1/2 pound deli-sliced ham
- 1/2 pound deli-sliced pepperoni
Cheeses
- 1/2 pound deli-sliced mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 pound deli-sliced provolone cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Vegetables and Herbs
- 1/4 cup roasted red peppers, sliced
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- 1/4 cup banana peppers, sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the sandwiches to a perfect golden and melty finish.
- Slice Rolls: Slice the Italian sub rolls in half lengthwise, keeping the halves hinged at the bottom so they stay connected.
- Arrange Rolls: Place the sliced rolls cut side up on a baking sheet, ensuring they are spaced comfortably without overcrowding.
- Melt Butter: Melt the unsalted butter either in the microwave or on the stovetop in a small bowl.
- Mix Seasonings: Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper into the melted butter until well combined.
- Brush Butter Mixture: Generously brush the seasoned butter over the cut sides of the rolls, covering both halves evenly.
- Layer Salami: Evenly layer the deli-sliced salami over the bottom half of each sandwich.
- Layer Ham: Add a full layer of deli-sliced ham on top of the salami for additional flavor.
- Layer Pepperoni: Cover the ham layer with deli-sliced pepperoni, spreading it evenly.
- Layer Mozzarella Cheese: Spread deli-sliced mozzarella cheese uniformly over the pepperoni layer.
- Layer Provolone Cheese: Add a layer of deli-sliced provolone cheese over the mozzarella to enhance cheesy goodness.
- Sprinkle Parmesan Cheese: Evenly sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese atop the provolone layer for a sharp, nutty flavor.
- Add Roasted Red Peppers: Scatter sliced roasted red peppers evenly over the Parmesan cheese.
- Add Black Olives: Layer sliced black olives over the roasted red peppers consistently.
- Add Banana Peppers: Spread sliced banana peppers across the sandwich to incorporate a mild spicy tang.
- Add Fresh Basil Leaves: Place fresh basil leaves on top to add an aromatic fresh note and visual appeal.
- Bake Sandwiches: Bake the sandwiches in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until the cheese melts and the bread is lightly crispy.
- Cool and Cut: Remove sandwiches from the oven, let them cool for a minute, then carefully slice into individual portions with a serrated knife.
- Serve: Serve the Baked Italian Grinder Sandwiches warm and enjoy their melty and savory flavors.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of red pepper flakes if you prefer a milder or spicier sandwich.
- Use fresh deli meats from your preferred butcher or deli for best flavor.
- The bread should be sturdy enough to hold the fillings and withstand baking without getting soggy.
- Feel free to add other favorite sandwich toppings like lettuce or tomato after baking if you prefer fresh veggies.
- These sandwiches can be wrapped and refrigerated for up to 24 hours, then reheated in the oven for best texture.
