Name: Toasted Italian Sub Sandwiches
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 hoagie bun; 1 Tablespoon garlic basil pesto; 4 slices deli ham; 4 slices hard salami; 8 small slices of pepperoni; 4 slices mozzarella cheese; slices of red onion; slices of red ripe tomato; crisp lettuce; pepperoncini slices; sliced black olives; red wine vinegar and olive oil; salt and pepper; dried oregano

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Toasted hoagie rolls, filled with ham, salami, pepperoni and melted cheese, topped with lots of veggies olive oil and red wine vinegar. These Toasted Italian Sub Sandwiches are in a word, sensational. Hands down one of my favorite sandwich recipes ever!

Are you stuck in a rut on what to have for dinner? I get that way, and that’s when I tell myself it’s time to take it back to the basics.

Food doesn’t have to be complicated. We just want it to taste amazing, right? I don’t think that’s too much to ask!

I used to pack my kids’ lunches every day. One thing I can guarantee I would always have on hand during the school year was deli meats and cheeses. So, when I come up with a recipe using things I already have on hand and make something quick and delicious for dinner, I am patting myself on the back. Easy and delicious meals were the key to my sanity when my kids were in school.

And these sandwiches are so tasty, they didn’t even give me the “but we had sandwiches for lunch” line. These yummy toasted Italian subs would give any sub shop a run for their money!

Italian Sub Sandwiches that Rival Your Favorite Sub Shop

These Toasted Italian Sandwiches will soon become the new go-to sandwich for your family! Dare I say they are better – and fresher – than you would find at your local sandwich shop. Plus, assembling is super simple!

Slathered with creamy garlic basil pesto on one side of the toasted bun and then stuffed with fresh ingredients like delicious Italian cured meats and fresh veggies, this is a great way to get out of a boring meal rut.

Serving up a crowd has never been easier with these baked Italian hoagies! These tangy and slightly spicy sandwiches make the ultimate game day appetizer, family gathering meal, or party platter.

Want other yummy sandwiches to try? Try my Turkey Reuben Sandwich – “The Rachel”, Crock Pot French Dip Sandwiches or my Instant Pot Crack Chicken recipe!

WHAT IS AN ITALIAN TOASTED SANDWICH?

Invented by Italian baker Giavanni Amato in Portland, Maine, these tasty sandwiches were originally used as a portable and inexpensive lunch for local laborers. In the present day, the zesty Italian sandwich has become a staple of every sandwich shop and corner store.

The traditional Maine Italian hoagie is often prepared using a long bread roll or bun with meats such as salami, mortadella or capicolla, along with cheese, tomato, onion, bell peppers, olives, olive oil, salt and black pepper. Although additional ingredients such as pepperoni, banana pepper or lettuce do often appear as well. Italian subs are usually topped with some sort of dressing such as red or white wine vinegar, lemon juice, garlic or mustard to compliment the bright and zesty flavors.

The sole difference between an American sub sandwich and the Italian version is the cheeses and the deli meats used inside. These ingredients can also be mixed and matched as preferred. The dressing on a sub sandwich is generally kept the same with ingredients as the Italian hoagie but can sometimes additionally contain oregano or basil. The name of the Italian sub derives from its bright, traditionally Italian ingredients on the sandwich.

The toasted crust of the bread slathered with pesto on one side and red ripe tomatoes plus mozzarella cheese on the other really compliments the spicy and flavorful Italian meats inside.

It’s incredibly effortless to toast your hoagie or sub sandwich in the oven, too! Assemble the two buns separately and open-faced with the sandwich ingredients on top. Bake at 350 Fahrenheit until everything is toasted adequately.

Looking for side dishes that pair well with these delicious sandwiches? Try my Homemade Double Fried French Fries, Copycat Olive Garden Salad & Dressing, or my Baked Sweet Potato Chips.

INGREDIENTS FOR BAKED ITALIAN HOAGIES

This recipe uses a handful of simple ingredients that you may already have in the refrigerator or pantry! For the full measurements, scroll down to the recipe card.

Hoagie Bun: About 6 inches in length, you can find these in the bakery of your grocery store.
Garlic Basil Pesto: This pesto is a thick, green sauce that tastes bright and herby. It perfectly balances the spicier ingredients with the milder additives.

Deli Ham and Hard Salami: For this recipe, I recommend using these two types of meat but any Italian cured meat can work.
Pepperoni: The pepperoni adds just the right amount of spice to this sandwich!
Mozzarella Cheese: Can sub with provolone cheese if preferred.

Red Onion: A bit milder than yellow onions, red onions have a sweetness and sharpness to them that make them perfect for this classic sub sandwich.
Red Ripe Tomato: The tart, tangy flavor of tomatoes is a perfect pairing for these Italian-style subs.
Lettuce: Fresh, crispy lettuce is preferred to add a lovely crunch.
Pepperoncini Slices: Adds a bit of heat to the sandwich and a spicy crunch.
Black Olives: Black olives are preferred for this recipe since they are sweeter in taste than the green ones, which tend to be bitter.
Red Wine Vinegar and Olive Oil: Drizzled on top to give an extra punch of flavor.
Salt and Pepper: Used to taste.
Dried Oregano: This Italian recipe would not be complete without the earthy taste of oregano.

HOW TO MAKE AN ITALIAN SUB IN THE OVEN

My recipe for Italian subs is so incredibly easy to prepare! To see even more detailed steps, please scroll down to the recipe card.

PREP

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.

SLICE

Slice the hoagie roll in half, but not all the way through. Lay it open-faced on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.

APPLY

Slather 1/2 Tablespoon of basil pesto on each inside half.

TOP

Top each side with ham, salami, pepperoni, and mozzarella cheese slices.

MELT

Bake for 10 minutes or until bread is toasted and cheese is melted.

TOPPINGS

Top with the toppings of your choice.

DRIZZLE

Drizzle with red wine vinegar and olive oil to taste.

SPRINKLE

Give a sprinkle of salt and pepper and dried oregano.

SERVE

Fold to form a sandwich and serve warm.

Love them? Pin them!

Don’t forget where you found these savory subs! Pin it to your favorite recipe board on Pinterest before you go!

OTHER RECIPES TO ENJOY

Let’s make some Toasted Italian Sub Sandwiches!!

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close up of Toasted Italian Sub Sandwich on a white plate

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