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This Italian Sub Sandwich is the ultimate game day meal. Full of genoa salami and capicola hot ham, melted provolone cheese and banana peppers, these baked Italian sandwiches as satisfying as they are delicious.
Italian Sub sandwiches make a delicious addition to your party spread. Serve them alongside other game day favorites like Classic Macaroni Salad and Antipasto Pasta Salad.
Italian Sub Sandwich
Everyone has a different way of dressing their Italian sub. I personally like mine with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, banana peppers, a little mayo and some oil (which is a sauce similar to Italian dressing that is used on these subs). Some people throw on onions and even more hot peppers as well.
But to make the best Italian Subs, I wanted to make them hot, because melty cheese is always a good idea! So I got rid of the all the items that can become soggy when heated and stuck with the basics. These are seriously quick and easy to throw together and would be a total hit at any game day or casual social gathering!
Why Italian Subs Make Great Party Sandwiches
- Though delicious, things like crockpot sausage and peppers make for messy sandwiches. They Italian sandwiches are easy to eat and not messy at all, making them perfect for picnics and parties.
- They’re loaded with flavors and textures, from the salty salami to the crunchy pepperoncinis.
- Customize with your favorite toppings, or with no toppings at all.
Ingredients in a Classic Italian Sub Sandwich
There are 6 main ingredients, plus some optional items for serving.
- Sub Rolls – These are long rolls of bread, about 6-inches in length. You can find these in the bakery of your grocery store. They are also labeled as hoagie rolls or french rolls. Soft Italian bread is ideal.
- Capicola Hot Ham and Salami – These are the two types of meat I use on my Italian sandwiches. You can select different types of Italian cured meats if you prefer. Pepperoni is another popular option.
- Banana Peppers – Jarred and sliced.
- Provolone Cheese – A fairly mild Italian cheese that melts beautifully.
- Italian Dressing – For dipping. If you don’t have any on hand, you can make a quick vinaigrette with red wine vinegar, olive oil, minced garlic and Italian seasoning.
- For serving (optional) – Shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes, sliced red onions, pepperoncinis, sliced olives, mayonnaise, mustard.
How to Make Baked Italian Subs
- Slice 6 hero rolls length-wise but don’t slice all the way through. You want the halves in tact so they can cradle the sandwich ingredients.
- Lay the hero rolls with split side up in a 9″ x 13 ” baking pan and bake them for 5 minutes to lightly toast the buns.
- Once the rolls come out of the oven, start by layering 3 folded slices of capicola onto the bottom bun, then 3 folded slices of salami, banana peppers and finally provolone cheese.
- Return the pan to the oven and bake for 20 minutes or until the sandwiches are hot and the cheese is melted and serve immediately!
FAQs
An Italian Submarine Sandwich is a popular type of submarine sandwich. It’s typically made with salami, capicola hot ham, and sometimes ham. This popular sandwich, also called a hero or a hoagie in some parts, is a mainstay on the menu of every sub shop.
The difference between these sandwiches is actually more about where you live than what’s on them. Layer some Italian meats, cheese, toppings, and dressing on a long Italian style roll, and you’ve got yourself a sub, hero, grinder, hoagie, blimpie… the list can go on.
Originally a sub was named for navy shipyard workers and the submarines these sandwiches resembled. The term grinder is thought to have originated from the amount of grinding, or chewing, it took to eat one.
You can put any sliced deli sliced meats in your subs, but for this Italian version I like to use cured meat like Capicola Hot Ham and Genoa Salami. Pepperoni, Mortadella or regular honey ham are also popular.
Soft Italian Bread is ideal, like hoagie rolls, ciabatta bread, Italian rolls, sub rolls, or even garlic bread.
Serving Suggestions
I like to serve this Italian sandwich with some Italian dressing for dipping, but you can also add fresh ingredients after they’re done baking if you’d like, like lettuce and tomato.
For a great meal, serve with Homemade Baked French Fries, Baked Potato Wedges, Italian Spaghetti Salad, or a simple homemade Caesar Salad.
Storage
These sandwiches are best served hot and fresh. If you have leftovers, wrap them up in plastic wrap or store in a resealable plastic bag. They will last about 4 days in the fridge.
Reheat in a 350°F oven, wrapped in foil, for 5-10 minutes or until warmed through.
Expert Tips
- Use a sturdy roll that will hold up to the fillings. Slice it lengthwise but don’t slice all the way through. You want it in to cradle all of the fillings.
- Add mayo or mustard after baking, not before.
- For a party, set out the sandwiches with a variety of toppings like lettuce, onions, tomatoes and dressings.
- Sprinkle on a little Italian seasoning or oregano on top before baking for extra flavor.
More Sandwich Recipes
- Ham and Cheese Sliders
- Buffalo Chicken Sliders
- Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers
- Monte Cristo Sliders
- Bahn Mi Sandwich
- Shredded Chicken Parmesan Sandwich
- Cuban Sandwich Recipe
- French Dip Sandwiches
Italian Sub Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 6 hero rolls, sliced length-wise but leaving both sides of the roll attached to each other.
- 18 slices capicola hot ham
- 18 slices genoa salami
- 1 cup banana peppers, sliced
- 6 slices provolone cheese
- Italian dressing for serving
- Optional, for serving: shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes, pepperoncinis, olives, red onions
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the rolls into a 9″ x 13″ baking pan, open-side up.
- Bake the rolls for 5 minutes and remove from oven.
- Place 3 folded slices of capicola hot ham onto the bottom of each roll.
- Add a layer of 3 folded pieces of salami onto the sandwiches.
- Divide the sliced banana peppers between the 6 sandwiches.
- Fold each slice of provolone cheese in half to break into two pieces and place on top of the banana peppers.
- Return the pan to the oven and bake for 20 minutes. Serve immediately with Italian dressing.
We add sliced onions and Mayo snd mustard
Simply delicious!!
Love the feedback Priscilla! Thanks for stopping by.
I added Hot Italian sausage to this recipe and a little mayonnaise ! Yummy Good
Nice! Thanks for stopping by Bran.