Giant Muffaletta Italian Sandwich
Servings: 6–8
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Chill Time: 1–2 hours (recommended for best flavor)
This Giant Muffaletta is stacked high with Italian meats, cheeses, and a bold olive salad. It’s perfect for gatherings, picnics, or when you want a make-ahead sandwich that feeds a crowd!
Ingredients
1 large round Italian bread loaf (about 10 inches in diameter)
1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 lb thinly sliced turkey ham
1/4 lb thinly sliced beef salami
1/4 lb thinly sliced mortadella
1/4 lb sliced provolone cheese
1/4 lb sliced mozzarella cheese
1 cup olive salad (store-bought or homemade)
Optional (if you want extra flavor)
1/4 cup sliced roasted red peppers
1/4 cup sliced pepperoncini
Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the Bread
Slice the round loaf horizontally in half using a serrated knife.
If the bread is very thick, gently hollow out some of the inside to make room for fillings.
2️⃣ Season the Bread
In a small bowl, mix olive oil, oregano, and basil.
Brush the mixture evenly over the cut sides of both halves of bread.
3️⃣ Add the Olive Salad
Spread half of the olive salad evenly over the bottom half of the bread.
4️⃣ Layer the Meats & Cheese
Layer in this order for best structure:
Turkey ham
Provolone cheese
Beef salami
Mozzarella cheese
Mortadella
Spread the remaining olive salad over the top of the meat layers.
(Add roasted red peppers or pepperoncini here if using.)
5️⃣ Close & Press
Place the top half of the bread over the fillings.
Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil.
Place something heavy on top (like a skillet or books) to gently press the sandwich.
6️⃣ Chill
Refrigerate for at least 1–2 hours (overnight is even better).
This helps the flavors blend and makes slicing easier.
7️⃣ Slice & Serve
Remove wrap and cut into wedges like a cake.
Serve at room temperature for best flavor.
Tips for the Best Muffaletta
The longer it chills, the better it tastes.
Use sturdy bread — soft bread will get soggy.
You can make it a day ahead for parties.
