It is 6pm. You are tired. Dinner needs to happen fast. These Baked Italian Sub Sandwiches are the perfect solution for your busy evening.
There is nothing quite like the smell of toasted bread. It fills your kitchen with warmth. Your family will come running when they smell the garlic butter. This recipe delivers a restaurant-style meal in your own home.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
This recipe is a total winner for busy fall nights. It takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish. You get all the flavor of a deli sub with the comfort of a warm meal. It is incredibly budget-friendly compared to ordering takeout for four people.
The combination of melted provolone and toasted meats is magical. The bread gets perfectly golden and crisp on the outside. Inside, the cheese stays gooey and soft. It is a satisfying meal that even picky eaters will enjoy. Your kids will love the fun, handheld nature of these subs.
How It Comes Together
Making these sandwiches is very simple. You do not need any special culinary skills. You just layer the ingredients and let the oven do the work. It is a hands-off cooking method that saves you time.
The secret is the seasoned butter glaze on top. It adds a beautiful color and extra flavor. Even if you have never made a hot sub, you can do this. It is a foolproof way to get dinner on the table fast.
Simple Ingredients
Most of these items are easy to find at any grocery store. You might even have the spices in your pantry right now.
- 4 hoagie or sub rolls
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 lb thinly sliced Genoa salami
- 1/4 lb thinly sliced deli ham
- 1/4 lb thinly sliced pepperoni
- 1/4 lb thinly sliced capicola
- 8 slices provolone cheese
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
- 1 large tomato, thinly sliced
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup banana peppers or pepperoncini
- 2 tablespoons Italian vinaigrette dressing
Step-by-Step Directions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Slice the hoagie rolls lengthwise, ensuring they remain attached at the back hinge.
- Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on the interior of each roll.
- Layer the salami, ham, pepperoni, and capicola evenly across the four rolls.
- Top the meats with two slices of provolone cheese per sandwich.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, dried oregano, and garlic powder.
- Close the sandwiches and brush the tops of the rolls with the seasoned butter mixture.
- Place sandwiches on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and carefully open the sandwiches to add lettuce, tomato, onion, and banana peppers.
- Drizzle with Italian vinaigrette, close the sandwiches, slice diagonally, and serve immediately.
Best Ways to Enjoy It
Serve these sandwiches while they are still warm and crispy. The contrast between the hot meat and cold lettuce is wonderful. You can pair them with a side of potato chips. A simple green salad also works beautifully.
For a fun family night, set out the toppings. Let everyone customize their own sandwich after baking. It makes dinner feel like a special event. Sit down together and enjoy every savory bite.
Storage & Reheating
These sandwiches are best eaten fresh from the oven. If you have leftovers, store them in the fridge. Keep the fresh toppings separate if possible. Wrap the toasted part in foil to keep it fresh. They will last for about two days.
To reheat, use your oven or a toaster oven. Set it to 350°F for about 5 minutes. This keeps the bread from getting soggy. Avoid the microwave if you want to keep the perfect crunch. It only takes a few minutes to bring them back to life.
Recipe Tips
Ways to Switch It Up
Common Questions
Can I make these ahead of time?
You can assemble the meat and cheese part early. Keep them wrapped in the fridge until you are ready. Just brush with butter and bake right before serving. This is great for stress-free entertaining.
What if I don’t have all the meats?
Do not worry if you are missing one type of meat. You can use extra ham or salami instead. The sandwich will still taste delicious and satisfying. Use what you have in your fridge.
Will kids like the banana peppers?
Banana peppers are usually mild but can be tangy. If your kids are picky, leave them off. You can serve them on the side for the adults. It makes the meal perfectly kid-approved for everyone.
I hope these warm, melty sandwiches make your busy weeknights a little easier. There is nothing better than a quick meal that everyone actually wants to eat. Happy cooking!
— Lidia
Irresistible Baked Italian Sub Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 4 hoagie or sub rolls
- 1/4 cup mayonnais e
- 1/4 lb thinly sliced Genoa salami
- 1/4 lb thinly sliced deli ham
- 1/4 lb thinly sliced pepperoni
- 1/4 lb thinly sliced capicola
- 8 slices provolone cheese
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
- 1 large tomato , thinly sliced
- 1/2 red onion , thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup banana peppers or pepperoncini
- 2 tablespoons Italian vinaigrette dressing
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Slice the hoagie rolls lengthwise, ensuring they remain attached at the back hinge.
- Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on the interior of each roll.
- Layer the salami, ham, pepperoni, and capicola evenly across the four rolls.
- Top the meats with two slices of provolone cheese per sandwich.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, dried oregano, and garlic powder.
- Close the sandwiches and brush the tops of the rolls with the seasoned butter mixture.
- Place sandwiches on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and carefully open the sandwiches to add lettuce, tomato, onion, and banana peppers.
- Drizzle with Italian vinaigrette, close the sandwiches, slice diagonally, and serve immediately.
