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Baked Italian Grinder Sandwiches Recipe

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4.5 from 118 reviews

These Baked Italian Grinder Sandwiches are a deliciously hearty and flavorful meal, featuring layers of classic Italian deli meats, cheeses, and vibrant veggies baked inside crusty Italian sub rolls and seasoned with a savory herb butter. Perfect for a crowd or a satisfying family dinner, these sandwiches combine melty cheese, zesty peppers, and aromatic herbs for an irresistible Italian-inspired meal.

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 and Cheeses

  • 1/2 pound deli-sliced salami
  • 1/2 pound deli-sliced ham
  • 1/2 pound deli-sliced pepperoni
  • 1/2 pound deli-sliced mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 pound deli-sliced provolone cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Veggies and Garnishes

  • 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

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the sandwiches to a perfect golden finish.
  2. Prepare Herb Butter: In a small bowl, mix the melted unsalted butter with garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
  3. Slice the Roll: Carefully slice the Italian sub roll horizontally, without cutting all the way through, so the sandwich holds together during baking.
  4. Layer Meats and Cheeses: Starting with the bottom half, layer the salami, ham, and pepperoni evenly across the bread. Follow with layers of mozzarella and provolone cheese.
  5. Add Vegetables and Garnishes: Sprinkle the roasted red peppers, sliced black olives, banana peppers, and fresh basil leaves evenly over the cheese layer.
  6. Top with Parmesan: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the fillings for an extra cheesy, savory finish.
  7. Brush with Herb Butter: Generously brush the prepared herb butter over the top and bottom of the bread to add flavor and ensure a crispy baked crust.
  8. Wrap and Bake: Wrap the sandwich tightly in aluminum foil to hold everything together and bake in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the sandwich is heated through.
  9. Serve: Remove the foil carefully, slice the sandwich into portions, and serve warm for a satisfying meal.

Notes

  • You can customize the sandwich by adding other Italian meats or veggies to suit your taste.
  • For a crispy crust, you can unwrap the sandwich during the last 5 minutes of baking.
  • Use fresh Italian sub rolls for the best texture and flavor.
  • Make sure to wrap the sandwich tightly in foil to prevent drying out during baking.
  • Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator and reheated in the oven for best results.