Italian Sub Sandwich

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This Classic Italian Sub Sandwich packed with a combination of traditional Italian meats, provolone cheese, fresh veggies, and zesty condiments on a sub sandwich roll is the perfect sandwich!

For even more delicious Italian sandwiches check out these recipes too! Pizza Margherita Grilled Cheese, Instant Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches, and Roast Beef Panini.

This is one of my all time favorite sandwiches. It is quick and easy to make, perfect for super bowl parties, and travels well for picnics or a road trip.

I love Italian sub sandwiches so much, we ordered a huge 6-foot sandwich from a New York-style sandwich shop for my 16th birthday party!

If you love portable sandwiches as much as I do, you need to check out this easy chicken salad recipe too!

What you’ll need

An Italian sub, also known as an Italian sandwich or hoagie, typically includes the following ingredients:

Bread: You can use a French bread baguette, Italian sub roll, hoagie rolls, or any crusty Italian bread that is sturdy enough to hold together without falling apart.
Deli Meat: The key to a classic Italian sub is a variety of Italian deli meats, like Genoa salami, pepperoni, capacollo, mortadella, and pepperoni. The sandwiches that I grew up also included turkey, deli ham, and pastrami. You can mix and match different ingredients according to your family’s preference.
Cheese: Sliced provolone, mozzarella, or Swiss cheese.
Condiments: A flavorful Italian dressing with olive oil, basil, oregano, and thyme is a must. Some people also add Dijon mustard or spicy brown mustard, and I always add mayonnaise.
Vegetables: Fresh vegetables include shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes, red onion, pepperoncini peppers (or hot peppers), and black olives. Sliced green bell peppers would be nice addition as well.
You will also find a cutting board, chefs knife, and bread knife come in handy to make this classic sandwich.

Be sure to check out the detailed printable recipe card below

How to make an Italian Sub Sandwich

Whenever I am starting with a really thick bread, I like to squish down the center of both sides of the roll to make a cavity, or you could scoop out the excess bread from the center of your roll.

Spread mayonnaise and mustard (if using) on each side of the roll. Place slice of turkey, pastrami, ham, and slices of Genoa salami and mortadella on bottom half of roll.

Mortadella slices and other deli meat stacked on sandwich roll.

then capocollo.

Capocollo slices on top of deli meats on bottom sandwich roll.

Top with cheese slices, shredded iceberg lettuce, tomato slices, pepperoncini peppers (if using), sliced olives and onions.

Sub sandwich topped with shredded lettuce, onion and tomato slices, black olives, pepper, on a sandwich roll.

Drizzle with Italian Dressing, top with roll, slice and serve with chips or a classic Caesar salad, and Peanut Butter Cookies with Reese’s Pieces.

Half of a classic Italian sub sandwich surrounded by potato chips.

Expert Tips

For best results always use high-quality, fresh ingredients.
If you do not like peppers, then simply leave them off. Alex likes spicy foods, so his has spicy mustard and hot waxed peppers.

FAQ’s

How do I prevent a sub sandwich from getting soggy?

To prevent sogginess, layer the ingredients properly. Place a moisture barrier like lettuce or tomato between the bread and wet ingredients like mayonnaise. Also, don’t over-saturate the bread with condiments.

Are there any gluten-free options for sub sandwiches?

You can find gluten-free bread or rolls to make a gluten-free sub sandwich. Make sure to check labels for gluten-free deli meats, cheese, and condiments.

What’s the ideal way to store and transport a sub sandwich?

To keep a sub fresh, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or foil. Store it in the refrigerator to prevent spoilage. For transport, consider a sandwich container or wrap it in wax paper and secure it with a rubber band.

What if I don’t have Italian dressing?

A simple solution would be drizzling olive oil and red wine vinegar over the sandwich, then sprinkle with Italian seasoning and black pepper.

What are some vegetarian or vegan options for sub sandwiches?

You can make a vegetarian sub with ingredients like roasted vegetables, grilled tofu, or additional cheese slices. For vegan options, use plant-based cheese and vegan mayo.

More delicious sandwich recipes

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Enjoy!!