In this Ultimate Pressed Italian Sandwich, Italian bread is layered with a homemade olive tempanade, 4 kinds of Italian meats, fresh mozzarella, slices of roasted red pepper, artichokes and more. This one sandwich will serve 8!

Ultimate Pressed Italian Sandwiches

It’s suppose to be a sunny and warm 77°! After a busy week of finishing up a bathroom renovation and then taking Haileigh to her college orientation, we plan to spend the day out on the water relaxing.

Whenever we have these “lake days” I usually make some kind of sandwich and we have a picnic on our boat.

In the past, I’ve made Italian sub sandwiches, but for today, I’m packing up a few of these Ultimate Pressed Italian Sandwiches. Ultimate because these sammies have it all! Soft italian bread with a garlicky olive tapenade, 4 kinds of Italian meats, fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced roasted red bell pepper, artichoke hearts, fresh tomatoes and basil leaves and is dressed with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and olive oil. So simple.

Ultimate Pressed Italian Sandwiches platter

Tis the season for picnics, parties and gatherings. And we are so here for it! This sandwich is perfect thing to serve for a fun summer gathering or day at the lake.

Ultimate Pressed Italian Sandwiches

Here’s what you need to make these Ultimate Pressed Italian Sandwich:

  • a loaf of italian bread or ciabatta
  • balsamic vinegar
  • olive oil
  • olive tapenade or basil pesto
  • 1/4 pound Genoa salami, 1/4 pound capocollo and 1/4 pound sandwich pepperoni
  • 3 ounces prosciutto
  • 1 (8 ounce) ball fresh mozzarella
  • a large roasted red bell pepper [homemade or store bought]
  • 6 to 8 ounces artichoke hearts (regular or marinated is fine)
  • 1 large tomato
  • fresh basil
  • freshly ground black pepper.

Keep in mind that depending on the size of your bread loaf will determine on how much of the meat and cheese you will need.

bread halves on plastic wrap set into a rimmed tray

The first thing I do, is slice the loaf of bread in half horizontally. Then place the bread halves onto a few sheets of plastic wrap that are draped over a rimmed metal baking sheet. Doing this before the sandwich is build makes wrapping and transferring it to your fridge a lot easier.

balsamic and olive oil on one side

Then, on the top half of the bread loaf, drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Ultimate Pressed Italian Sandwiches l SimplyScratch.com #pressed #italian #sandwich #summer #easy #picnic #food

And then on the bottom half spread with olive tapenade or basil pesto.

layer sliced salami

layer coppocola

layer sandwich pepperoni slices

layer prosciutto

Next layer the salami, capocollo, pepperoni and prosciutto on top of the tapenade or pesto.

mozzarella, roasted red peppers and marinated artichokes

Then, top the italian meats with slices of fresh mozzarella, roasted red pepper and artichokes.

fresh tomatoes, salt and pepper. 

Next top with slices of fresh tomato, season with freshly ground black pepper.

top with fresh basil.

And then top them with fresh basil leaves.

side view of open faced sandwich.

Incredible, right?

wrap tightly in the plastic wrap, set another rimmed metal baking sheet on top of the sandwich and weigh it down with large cans or bricks.

Lastly, replace the top of the sandwich and wrap tightly in the plastic wrap. Then set another rimmed metal baking sheet on top of the sandwich and weigh it down with cans, bricks, whatever! and place the entire thing into your fridge to chill for a few hours.

While this sandwich is in the fridge, the weight of the cans will compress this sandwich so it will flatten a bit and all the ingredients snuggle up against each other.

Ultimate Pressed Italian Sandwiches

As you can see, it’s pretty remarkable.

Ultimate Pressed Italian Sandwiches

Lastly, slice and serve with your favorite potato chips or side dish, beverages and of course, your favorite people.

Ultimate Pressed Italian Sandwiches

Enjoy! And if you give this Ultimate Pressed Italian Sandwich a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!

bite of Ultimate Pressed Italian Sandwiches

Ultimate Pressed Italian Sandwiches l SimplyScratch.com #pressed #italian #sandwich #summer #easy #picnic #food
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Yield: 8 servings

Ultimate Pressed Italian Sandwiches

In these Ultimate Pressed Italian Sandwiches, Italian bread is layered with a homemade olive tempanade, 4 kinds of Italia meats, mozzarella, roasted red pepper, artichokes and more. This one sandwich will serve 8! 

Ingredients

  • 1 loaf Italian bread, or ciabatta
  • 2 drizzles balsamic vinegar
  • 2 drizzles olive oil
  • 1/4 cup basil pesto, olive tapenade
  • 1/4 pound salami, Genoa
  • 1/4 pound capocolla
  • 1/4 pound pepperoni, sandwich pepperoni from the deli
  • 3 ounces prosciutto
  • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella
  • 1 roasted red bell pepper, sliced thin
  • 6 ounces marinated artichoke hearts
  • 1 large tomato, sliced
  • black pepper, freshly ground to taste
  • basil leaves

Instructions 

  • Cut the loaf of bread horizontally and place both halves onto a few sheets of plastic wrap that is draped over a rimmed metal baking sheet. Doing this before the sandwich is build makes wrapping and transferring it to your fridge a lot easier.
  • Drizzle the top half with balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
  • On the bottom half, spread with an even layer of olive tapenade or pesto.
  • On top of the tapenade, layer with salami, capocollo, pepperoni, prosciutto and mozzarella.
  • Next top with sliced roasted red pepper, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, freshly ground black pepper and basil leaves.
  • Replace the top portion of the bread and wrap tightly with plastic wrap.
  • Set another rimmed metal baking sheet on top of the wrapped sandwich and weigh it down with a bunch of cans and refrigerate for 2 hours.
  • Unwrap, slice and serve.

Notes

NOTE: Keep in mind that depending on the size of your bread loaf will determine on how much of the meat and cheese you will need.
Serving: 1piece, Calories: 674kcal, Carbohydrates: 33g, Protein: 23g, Fat: 50g, Saturated Fat: 22g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g, Monounsaturated Fat: 15g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 69mg, Sodium: 1545mg, Potassium: 320mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 19g, Vitamin A: 778IU, Vitamin C: 10mg, Calcium: 170mg, Iron: 2mg

Ultimate Pressed Italian Sandwiches