Italian Muffuletta Sandwich
The Italian Muffuletta Sandwich is a flavorful and hearty sandwich originating from New Orleans with deep Italian roots. It features layers of savory cured meats, melty cheeses, tangy olive salad, and unique muffuletta bread, creating a perfect balance of bold flavors and textures in every bite. This classic sandwich is easy to customize and delivers a satisfying meal with rich cultural heritage.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No cooking required (assembly and pressing)
- Cuisine: Italian-American (New Orleans)
- Diet: Includes gluten (can be made Gluten-Free with substitutions)
Muffuletta Bread
- 1 round muffuletta bread loaf, sesame-coated
Olive Salad
- 1 cup chopped green and black olives
- ½ cup chopped celery
- ½ cup chopped cauliflower
- ½ cup chopped carrots
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- 1 pinch oregano
Cured Meats
- 4 oz sliced salami
- 4 oz sliced mortadella
- 4 oz sliced ham
Cheeses
- 4 oz provolone cheese, sliced
- 4 oz mozzarella cheese, sliced
Oil and Vinegar Dressing
- Drizzle of olive oil and vinegar for moisture and flavor enhancement (included in olive salad)
- Prepare the Olive Salad: Chop green and black olives, celery, cauliflower, and carrots into small pieces. Toss all ingredients with olive oil, vinegar, and a pinch of oregano to create a tangy olive salad.
- Slice the Muffuletta Bread: Cut the muffuletta bread horizontally into two even halves, creating a base for layering the fillings.
- Layer the Cured Meats: Evenly place slices of salami, mortadella, and ham across the bottom half of the bread to ensure balanced savory flavors.
- Add the Cheeses: Layer provolone and mozzarella cheese on top of the cured meats, allowing them to slightly melt and blend.
- Spread the Olive Salad: Generously spoon the prepared olive salad over the cheese layer to add acidity, crunch, and zest.
- Assemble and Press: Place the top half of the bread over the fillings, press firmly to combine all layers, and let the sandwich sit for several minutes to meld flavors.
Notes
- Use fresh muffuletta bread for the best texture and sturdiness.
- Chill olive salad overnight to intensify its flavors.
- Layer cured meats and cheeses evenly to avoid overpowering bites.
- Press the sandwich before serving to fuse ingredients and improve stability.
- Slice the sandwich with a serrated knife for clean cuts without crushing the bread.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich (1/4 of loaf)
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 1100mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Italian Muffuletta Sandwich, New Orleans sandwich, cured meats sandwich, olive salad sandwich, Italian-American cuisine, muffuletta bread sandwich