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Delicious Italian Pressed Muffuletta Sandwich Recipe Perfect for a Crowd

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A crowd-pleasing Italian pressed muffuletta sandwich featuring layers of Italian meats, tangy olive salad, and melty cheese pressed between Sicilian bread. Perfect for picnics, parties, and easy gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large round Sicilian muffuletta bread loaf (about 12 inches diameter)
  • 1 cup muffuletta olive salad or giardiniera mix
  • 3 oz sliced Genoa salami
  • 3 oz sliced mortadella
  • 3 oz sliced ham or capicola
  • 6 oz sliced provolone or mozzarella cheese
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • Optional: dried oregano or crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Slice the muffuletta bread horizontally into two even halves using a serrated knife, taking care not to compress the loaf (3-5 minutes).
  2. Spread softened butter on the cut sides of both halves, then lightly brush with extra virgin olive oil.
  3. Spread about 1 cup of olive salad evenly over the bottom half of the bread.
  4. Layer the Genoa salami, mortadella, and ham neatly over the olive salad, overlapping slightly (2-3 minutes).
  5. Top the meats with slices of provolone cheese.
  6. Place the top half of the bread on the sandwich.
  7. Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes. Transfer the sandwich to the skillet and place a heavy weight or second skillet on top to press it down firmly but gently.
  8. Cook for 5 minutes on the first side, then carefully flip the sandwich using a spatula or tongs, reapplying the weight. Cook another 5 minutes until the bread is toasted golden and the cheese is melted.
  9. Remove the sandwich from heat and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing into wedges.

Notes

Drain excess liquid from olive salad to prevent soggy bread. Use medium heat to avoid burning the crust while melting cheese. Slice gently with a serrated knife using a back-and-forth motion. Sandwich can be assembled ahead and refrigerated before pressing. Reheat leftovers in a skillet with weight, avoid microwaving.

Nutrition

Keywords: muffuletta, pressed sandwich, Italian sandwich, picnic sandwich, Italian meats, olive salad, crowd-pleaser, New Orleans sandwich

Find it online: https://avabowls.com/delicious-italian-pressed-muffuletta-sandwich-recipe-perfect-for-a-crowd/