Description
Delight in these hearty Baked Italian Grinder Sandwiches, packed with layers of savory deli meats, melted cheeses, and vibrant Italian herbs. This recipe elevates the classic sub sandwich by baking it to golden perfection, infusing every bite with buttery, garlicky goodness and a festive medley of peppers and olives. Perfect for a crowd or an indulgent meal, these grinders bring comforting Italian flavors straight to your table.
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 the oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the sandwiches.
- Prepare the butter mixture: In a bowl, combine the melted unsalted butter with garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to create a flavorful spread.
- Slice the roll: Carefully slice the Italian sub roll lengthwise without cutting all the way through, creating a hinge to hold the fillings.
- Apply the butter mixture: Using a brush or spoon, generously spread the butter herb mixture inside the cut of the sub roll, ensuring even coverage for a savory crust.
- Layer the meats and cheeses: Begin layering the deli-sliced salami, ham, and pepperoni evenly inside the roll. Follow with layers of mozzarella and provolone cheese, and sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top to add a rich finish.
- Add the vegetables and herbs: Place the sliced roasted red peppers, black olives, banana peppers, and fresh basil leaves over the cheese layer to infuse fresh and tangy flavors.
- Close and wrap the sandwich: Carefully close the sandwich, pressing gently to compact the ingredients. Wrap the entire sandwich tightly in aluminum foil to retain moisture during baking.
- Bake the sandwich: Place the wrapped sandwich on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for approximately 20 minutes, until the cheeses have melted and the bread is warm and slightly crispy.
- Unwrap and serve: Remove the sandwich from the oven, carefully unwrap the foil, slice into portions as desired, and serve warm for the best taste experience.
Notes
- For an extra crunchy crust, unwrap the sandwich for the last 5 minutes of baking.
- You can customize the meats and cheeses to your preference or dietary needs.
- Adding fresh vegetables just before serving keeps them crisp and vibrant.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated wrapped in foil to preserve moisture.
- Use a serrated knife to slice the sandwich cleanly without crushing it.
Keywords: Italian grinder, baked sandwich, sub sandwich, deli meat sandwich, Italian sub, cheesy sandwich, baked Italian grinder