Picnic time is upon us! Sometimes it’s just too hot to grill: enter the best Italian subs. They feed a crowd and can be kept on hand in the fridge for a quick lunch on the run.
Growing up, pre-vegetarian days, I used to be all about that Cold Cut Trio from Subway. I blame the movie Happy Gilmore. All the Subway product placement definitely worked on my pre-teen brain.
After the cold cut days, I entered the veggie sub days. Just imagine a salad on bread. Even though I gave up meat, I could never imagine letting go of my precious carbs.
I must have been in my twenties, if my recollection is correct, before I actually ate an Italian sub. Most of my adult life of sandwich eating had been wasted. I could have/ should have been eating the best Italian subs that whole time.
My local Italian deli, Italia Imports, makes an Italian sub that rivals most. It’s the best you can buy in my area. Hands down!
This recipe for the best Italian subs I am about to share with you is the best and easiest recipe you can make for yourself at home. It comes from Mike’s mom.
She makes these for parties, pool day picnics, and on vacations. I wake up craving these about 10 times a year… possibly more.
There are two secret ingredients to the best Italian subs. The first is Kraft Zesty Italian salad dressing. Add a few dashes of the dressing to save time and add flavor instead of making a vinaigrette from scratch.
The second secret ingredient is honey ham. My mother-in-law says you need a little sweet to balance out the spice from the pepperoni. Trust the process, people.
All the rest of the remaining ingredients are your usual suspects; mortadella, salami, lettuce, tomato, dried oregano, and provolone cheese. I made these sandwiches on French baguette but the original is on Italian bread. Both breads do a good job absorbing all that flavor from the vinaigrette.
The best way to make these sandwiches ahead of time and have them last is hold off until last minute before adding the vinaigrette, tomatoes, and lettuce. Pack all of them on the side and then when you get to your summer concert in the park or picnic, add the dressing, tomatoes, and lettuce.
Summer outdoor eating is calling you! Don’t forget the subs!
The Best Italian Subs
The best Italian subs with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, honey ham, salami, pepperoni, mortadella, and vinaigrette.
Ingredients
- 1/2lb sliced honey ham
- 1/2lb sliced pepperoni
- 1/2lb sliced mortadella
- 1/2lb sliced hard salami
- 4-6 slices provolone cheese
- 1-2 tomatoes, sliced
- 4 leaves romaine lettuce, torn into thirds
- 1 Italian long loaf, sliced in half length-wise
- 1/4 cup Kraft Zesty Italian Salad Dressing
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
Instructions
- Open the bread loaf and place each half cut side up. Layer the 4 meats on the bottom half of the bread loaf.
- Slice the provolone slices in half. Arrange cheese on top of the meats.
- Top the meat with lettuce and then tomatoes. Add a few pinches of the oregano on top of the tomato slices.
- Right before serving drizzle the dressing on the other half of the bread. Flip the top over the meat and cheese half.
- Cut the loaf into about 6 smaller subs.
Notes
Feel free to use ciabatta loaf or French bread in place as well. Also, sometimes I shred the lettuce so it doesn't slide off the bread as much.
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