🥪 Giant Muffaletta Italian Sandwich
A legendary New Orleans–style sandwich stacked with cured meats, cheeses, and a bold olive salad—perfect for sharing.
⏱ Time
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Prep: 20 minutes
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Rest: 30 minutes (recommended)
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Total: ~50 minutes
🍽 Serves
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6–8 people
🧾 Ingredients
Bread
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1 large round muffaletta loaf
(or sesame Italian round bread)
Olive Salad (The Star!)
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1 cup green olives, chopped
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½ cup black olives, chopped
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¼ cup giardiniera, chopped
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2 tbsp capers
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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⅓ cup olive oil
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2 tbsp red wine vinegar
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1 tsp dried oregano
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½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
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Black pepper, to taste
Meats
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150 g (5 oz) mortadella
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150 g (5 oz) salami
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150 g (5 oz) ham
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100 g (3–4 oz) prosciutto
Cheeses
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200 g (7 oz) provolone cheese (sliced)
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100 g (3–4 oz) mozzarella cheese (sliced)
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Make the Olive Salad
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Mix all olive salad ingredients in a bowl
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Cover and rest at least 30 minutes (overnight is even better)
2️⃣ Prepare the Bread
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Slice loaf horizontally
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Hollow out a little bread from the center (optional but traditional)
3️⃣ Assemble the Sandwich
Bottom half:
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Spread half the olive salad generously
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Layer mortadella, salami, ham, and prosciutto
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Add provolone and mozzarella
Top half:
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Spread remaining olive salad
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Close sandwich
4️⃣ Press & Rest
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Wrap tightly in plastic wrap
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Place a heavy pan or weight on top
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Rest 30 minutes–1 hour (key step!)
5️⃣ Serve
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Cut into wedges
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Serve at room temperature or slightly warm
❓ Q & A
❓ Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes! Muffaletta actually tastes better after resting. Make up to 24 hours ahead, refrigerated.
❓ What bread can I substitute?
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Round Italian loaf
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Ciabatta (pressed flat)
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Large focaccia
❓ Do I need all the meats?
No. Use any combo of Italian cold cuts you like—just keep it balanced.
❓ Can I make it vegetarian?
Yes!
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Skip meats
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Add roasted peppers, marinated artichokes, grilled eggplant, and extra cheese
❓ Should it be toasted?
Traditional muffaletta is not toasted, but you can lightly warm it wrapped in foil.
❓ Why is pressing important?
Pressing:
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Melds flavors
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Prevents slipping layers
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Softens bread slightly
❓ How long does it last?
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Wrapped tightly, up to 3 days in the fridge
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Best flavor after the first few hours
❓ Can I make mini muffalettas?
Absolutely! Use small rolls and press each one.
