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Lunch

Pressed Italian Sandwich

This flavorful Italian sandwich is packed with meats and cheese then pressed to perfection for a satisfying meal.

By Daily Recipes Book· 🌍 Italian· July 15, 2026
Pressed Italian Sandwich
dailyrecipesbook.com
Prep
15 minutes
Cook
0 minutes
Total
45 minutes
Serves
4

There is nothing quite like a pressed sandwich when you want something hearty and full of flavor. The key is using a sturdy bread like ciabatta that can hold up to all these delicious fillings without getting soggy.

I love making this for weekend picnics because the flavors actually get better after sitting for an hour. Just remember to wrap it tightly and place something heavy on top to compress all those layers together.

Ingredients

  • 1 large loaf of ciabatta bread
  • 1/2 cup olive tapenade
  • 1/4 pound thinly sliced salami
  • 1/4 pound thinly sliced ham
  • 1/4 pound thinly sliced provolone cheese
  • 1/4 pound thinly sliced mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup jarred artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
  • 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, sliced

Instructions

  1. 1

    Slice the ciabatta loaf in half horizontally.

  2. 2

    Spread a generous layer of olive tapenade on both cut sides of the bread.

  3. 3

    Layer the salami and ham on the bottom half of the bread.

  4. 4

    Add the slices of provolone and mozzarella cheese over the meat.

  5. 5

    Top the cheese with the chopped artichoke hearts and roasted red peppers.

  6. 6

    Place the top half of the bread back on the sandwich.

  7. 7

    Wrap the sandwich tightly in plastic wrap or foil.

  8. 8

    Place the sandwich on a flat surface and set a heavy skillet or a couple of large cans on top to press it down for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving.

💡 Tips

For the best texture, let the sandwich rest in the fridge for at least an hour before you cut into it. This helps the flavors meld and makes the sandwich much easier to slice. Store any leftovers wrapped tightly in the refrigerator for up to two days.

#sandwich#picnic#italian#lunch#easy

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