Giant Muffaletta Italian Sandwich Recipe 🥪

A Bold, Hearty Sandwich That Brings People Together

Some recipes are more than just food—they’re a link to our past.

I still remember how my mother would make a Giant Muffaletta Italian Sandwich for our Sunday family picnics. The kitchen smelled of freshly baked bread, and she carefully layered cured meats, cheeses, and a tangy olive salad while telling stories of how her grandmother made something similar.

That’s the magic of food. It’s not just about flavors—it’s about memories, traditions, and the people we share them with.

This Giant Muffaletta Italian Sandwich is inspired by the classic New Orleans favorite, but it carries the same spirit of gathering around a big, satisfying meal. Packed with layers of Genoa salami, mortadella, capicola, provolone, mozzarella, and an olive salad mix, this sandwich is a true crowd-pleaser—perfect for a weekend lunch, potluck, or family gathering.

⏳ Recipe Time

✔ Prep Time: 15 minutes
✔ Resting Time: 1 hour
✔ Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
✔ Serves: 6-8

🥖 Ingredients

For the Muffaletta Sandwich:

• 1 large round Italian bread loaf (or focaccia)
• ½ cup olive salad mix (store-bought or homemade)
• 3.5 oz Genoa salami, thinly sliced
• 3.5 oz mortadella, thinly sliced
• 3.5 oz capicola, thinly sliced
• 3.5 oz provolone cheese, thinly sliced
• 3.5 oz mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced

For the Homemade Olive Salad (Optional):

• ½ cup green olives, chopped
• ½ cup black olives, chopped
• ¼ cup roasted red peppers, chopped
• 2 tbsp capers
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp oregano
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

📖 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Bread

✔ Slice the Italian bread loaf in half horizontally.
✔ If needed, scoop out some of the soft bread from the inside to create more space for the filling.

Step 2: Make the Olive Salad (Skip if Using Store-Bought)

✔ In a bowl, mix green and black olives, roasted red peppers, capers, red wine vinegar, olive oil, oregano, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes.
✔ Let it sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to blend.

Step 3: Assemble the Muffaletta

✔ Spread half of the olive salad mix evenly over the bottom half of the bread.
✔ Layer the Genoa salami, mortadella, and capicola.
✔ Add the provolone and mozzarella cheese.
✔ Spread the remaining olive salad on the top half of the bread.

Step 4: Wrap and Rest

✔ Carefully place the top half of the bread over the fillings and press down gently.
✔ Wrap the sandwich tightly in plastic wrap.
✔ Refrigerate for at least 1 hour (this step is crucial for the best flavor!).

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!

✔ Unwrap the sandwich and slice it into wedges or quarters.
✔ Serve chilled or at room temperature for the best taste.
✔ Enjoy this bold, hearty, and flavorful Italian-style sandwich with family and friends!

❓ FAQs – Giant Muffaletta Italian Sandwich

Q: Can I make this sandwich ahead of time?

✅ Yes! In fact, it tastes even better the next day because the flavors meld together beautifully. Just keep it wrapped and refrigerated until serving.

Q: What type of bread is best for Muffaletta?

🥖 Traditional Sicilian-style Muffaletta bread is ideal, but a round Italian loaf or focaccia works great as well.

Q: Can I use different meats or cheeses?

🧀 Absolutely! You can swap capicola for ham or try pepper jack cheese for a spicier twist.

Q: How long does it last in the fridge?

🥪 This sandwich stays fresh for up to 2 days when tightly wrapped and stored in the refrigerator.

Q: What can I serve with a Muffaletta sandwich?

🍽 Pair it with a side salad, chips, or a bowl of tomato soup for a complete meal!

💡 A Sandwich That Brings People Together

This Giant Muffaletta Italian Sandwich is more than just a recipe—it’s a way to bring people together, just like my mother did on those long summer afternoons.

It’s easy to make, bursting with flavor, and guaranteed to be a family favorite. So gather your loved ones, make this sandwich, and create new memories around the table.

📌 Save this recipe and try it out!
💬 Tell me—what’s your favorite memory of sharing a meal with family? Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments!

Giant Muffaletta Italian Sandwich Recipe 🥪

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Print Recipe

A bold, hearty New Orleans-inspired sandwich layered with Italian meats, cheeses, and tangy olive salad—perfect for gatherings, picnics, or making memories with family.

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6–8 servings

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Muffaletta Sandwich:

• 1 large round Italian bread loaf (or focaccia)
• ½ cup olive salad mix (store-bought or homemade)
• 3.5 oz Genoa salami, thinly sliced
• 3.5 oz mortadella, thinly sliced
• 3.5 oz capicola, thinly sliced
• 3.5 oz provolone cheese, thinly sliced
• 3.5 oz mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced

For the Homemade Olive Salad (Optional):

• ½ cup green olives, chopped
• ½ cup black olives, chopped
• ¼ cup roasted red peppers, chopped
• 2 tbsp capers
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp oregano
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

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Instructions

1. Slice the Italian bread loaf in half horizontally. Scoop out some of the soft bread inside if needed to make room for the filling.
2. If making homemade olive salad, mix chopped green and black olives, roasted red peppers, capers, vinegar, olive oil, oregano, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes in a bowl. Let sit to blend flavors.
3. Spread half of the olive salad over the bottom bread half. Layer the Genoa salami, mortadella, and capicola, followed by provolone and mozzarella slices. Top with remaining olive salad.
4. Close the sandwich, press gently, and wrap tightly in plastic wrap.
5. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let the flavors meld.
6. Slice into wedges or quarters. Serve chilled or at room temperature. Enjoy!

Notes

You can customize the sandwich with different meats like ham or cheeses like pepper jack. Great make-ahead option—flavors deepen overnight. Pairs wonderfully with chips, soup, or salad!

• Author: Clara Gibson
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Sandwiches
• Method: No bake
• Cuisine: American / Italian Fusion

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice (approx.)
• Calories: 460
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 980mg
• Fat: 28g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 28g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 24g
• Cholesterol: 55mg