Pork Recipe Ideas is an Amazon Associate and may receive compensation for purchases made through affiliate links.
Take your next picnic or party to a whole new level with my Italian Pressed Sandwich recipe! Loaded with flavorful Italian meat, soft cheese, zesty pesto and fresh tomato, this pressed sandwich is a new favorite waiting to be made.
Jump to:
Pressed Sandwich Recipe
Who doesn't love a good, hearty sandwich for lunch? Be it packed into a lunch box, tucked away in a picnic basket or just eaten right out of the fridge on a hot day, sandwiches are a comfort food classic I can't help but adore!
But long gone are the days of basic ham and cheese. The world of sandwiches is endless! Nowadays, the instant I have a good sandwich bread, my mind races to what delicious toppings could be combined together and how to finish it off. And time and time again, I come back to pressed Italian sandwiches.
If you've never had a pressed sandwich, now's the time to try it. Layered with super-flavorful Italian meat, soft cheese and crisp, fresh herbs before being pressed flat, they've got all the flavor of your favorite Italian deli, pressed down into a compact and easy to eat form. Trust me: try it once, and you'll be making them every chance you get!
Pressed Sandwich Ingredients
- Ciabatta loaf
- Tomato pesto
- Large pepperoni
- Capicola ham
- Fresh mozzarella
- Basil
- Tomato
- Calabrese salami
The mix of ham, salami, and pepperoni on this sandwich make it the best pork sandwich you will ever bite into - I promise!
How to Make Pressed Sandwiches
- Slice the ciabatta in half longways, and spread tomato pesto on each half. Place a layer of pepperoni and capicola ham on the bottom half of the bread.
- Top the meat with slices of fresh mozzarella cheese, fresh basil leaves, and sliced tomato.
- Top the tomatoes with calabrese salami.
- Place on the top half of the bread, then wrap the entire sandwich tightly in plastic wrap. Put a heavy skillet or pot on top of the wrapped sandwich to press it, and set both in the fridge for at least 20 minutes, up to 8 hours or overnight.
- Right before serving, unwrap the sandwich and slice off the edges until it's nice and square. Then cut it in half and in half again, and serve!
Italian Pressed Sandwiches Tips
- Ciabatta bread is a favorite for this recipe, but you can use any sturdy Italian bread! Another great option is focaccia- make your own for extra delicious sandwiches!
- I love the combination of tomato pesto and Italian deli meat, but you can use any pesto you'd like, or your own homemade blend! Just make sure it's not too oily, or it can get the bread wet.
- Worried about soggy bread? Try spreading a thin layer of butter on each slice of bread. It will serve as a moisture guard to keep the bread from getting too wet!
- A good quality cheese is a must! Sliced mozzarella balls are my favorite for their soft and tender texture, but a quality provolone is delicious, too.
- These sandwiches are perfect for a party or picnic! Prepare them the night before and slice them right before serving.
Italian Sandwiches FAQ
Italian sandwiches contain Italian cold cuts of pork like salami, ham and pepperoni layered with Mozzarella cheese, fresh herbs, and seasoning spreads like pesto, aioli, and tapenade, all layered up on hearty Italian bread! These sandwiches tend to be filling and perfect served cold.
To make a pressed sandwich, all it takes is to make a sandwich and press it down! This is typically done by wrapping the sandwich in plastic wrap and then using a heavy skillet or book to press it flat. For especially thick sandwiches, it can be helpful to let the sandwich rest in the fridge while being pressed.
A pressed sandwich is exactly what it sounds like- a sandwich that has been pressed down by adding a weight to the top of it, creating a compressed and flattened sandwich. This can make thick sandwiches easier to eat and compresses fluffy ingredients down into a more convenient, flavor-packed shape.
The secret to making finger sandwiches ahead of time is making sure that no wet ingredients are touching the bread. Spread a layer of butter on the bread before placing any wet ingredients directly on it, or make sure there's a layer of meat or cheese between the bread and any non-oil-based spreads.
Pork Sandwiches
Did you enjoy this recipe? Try more of my best pork recipes, and leave a comment and rating below! We love to hear from you.
Save the Pin! 📍
Did you enjoy this recipe? Share it on Pinterest!📖 Recipe
Italian Pressed Sandwich
Equipment
- Heavy pan or book
- Plastic wrap
Ingredients
- 1 loaf Ciabatta bread at least 6x6"
- ½ cup Tomato pesto
- 2-4 ounces Large pepperoni
- 2-4 ounces Capicola ham
- 4 ounces Calabrese salami
- 4 ounces Fresh Mozzarella
- 1 bunch Basil
- 3-4 slices Tomato
Instructions
- Slice the ciabatta in half longways, and spread tomato pesto on each half. Place a layer of pepperoni and capicola ham on the bottom half of the bread.1 loaf Ciabatta bread, ½ cup Tomato pesto, 2-4 ounces Large pepperoni, 2-4 ounces Capicola ham
- Top the meat with slices of fresh mozzarella cheese, fresh basil leaves, and sliced tomato.4 ounces Fresh Mozzarella, 1 bunch Basil, 3-4 slices Tomato
- Top the tomatoes with calabrese salami.4 ounces Calabrese salami
- Place on the top half of the bread, then wrap the entire sandwich tightly in plastic wrap. Put a heavy skillet or pot on top of the wrapped sandwich to press it, and set both in the fridge for at least 20 minutes, up to 8 hours or overnight.
- Right before serving, unwrap the sandwich and slice off the edges until it's nice and square. Then cut it in half and in half again, and serve!
Notes
- Ciabatta bread is a favorite for this recipe, but you can use any sturdy Italian bread! Another great option is focaccia- make your own for extra delicious sandwiches!
- I love the combination of tomato pesto and Italian deli meat, but you can use any pesto you'd like, or your own homemade blend! Just make sure it's not too oily, or it can get the bread wet.
- Worried about soggy bread? Try spreading a thin layer of butter on each slice of bread. It will serve as a moisture guard to keep the bread from getting too wet!
- A good quality cheese is a must! Sliced mozzarella balls are my favorite for their soft and tender texture, but a quality provolone is delicious, too.
- These sandwiches are perfect for a party or picnic! Prepare them the night before and slice them right before serving.
Nutrition
» About Me
- Carnitas Tacos - October 5, 2023
- Korean Meatballs - September 28, 2023
- Pork Carnitas Recipe - September 21, 2023
Comments
No Comments