12 Classic Italian Sandwich Recipes To Make

When you think of Italian food, what are the first dishes that come to mind? For many, pizza and pasta are at the top of the list, but there’s so much more to the cuisine. Italian sandwiches are hearty and flavorful, combining crusty bread, an array of savory meats, and gooey cheeses. The Classic Italian Sub is a perennial favorite that can be found at diners, delis, and sandwich shops alike. But there are so many other Italian-inspired sandwiches to try, from meatball sandwiches to tuna melts. If you’re in the mood for Italian cuisine, these Italian sandwiches are perfect for satisfying your cravings, so make them for lunch or dinner!

This Classic Italian Sub is stacked high with savory salami, mortadella, capocollo, and pepperoni, along with slightly sharp provolone cheese on a crusty Italian loaf. The combination of Italian deli meats gives this sandwich plenty of savory flavor without much preparation. Add juicy tomatoes and crisp lettuce for a fresh twist, then drizzle it all with tangy Italian dressing to soak into the bread. The crusty loaf holds everything together, even with all those generous layers of meat, cheese, and veggies. Want to add a spicy twist? Layer in some zesty banana peppers!

The earthy flavor of gooey fontina cheese complements thinly sliced, salty prosciutto in this Panino di Prosciutto e Fontina. Fontina melts beautifully when heated, making it a great cheese for grilled sandwiches. The prosciutto adds plenty of salty flavor, so you don’t need much else to make this sandwich taste good. Add spinach and thinly sliced onions for a fresh, slightly sharp flavor, then grill it all on two slices of crusty bread in olive oil until golden and extra crispy. Serve it warm while the cheese is still soft and melty!

Mortadella is a subtly flavored Italian bologna that tastes best when paired with other bold flavors. Its smooth texture and mild seasoning make it a great choice for sandwiches with stronger cheeses and fresh herbs. Try this Mortadella Focaccia Sandwich recipe, which layers tangy pecorino cheese, peppery fresh basil, and mortadella on pillowy focaccia bread with a crispy exterior. The focaccia is soft enough to bite into easily but sturdy enough to hold all those fillings. Drizzle it all with olive oil or add in some mayo for extra creaminess.

Craving an Italian sub, but don’t have any bread on hand? No problem, just try this no-cook Italian Pinwheels recipe instead! These bite-sized roll-ups are easy to put together and make a great option for parties, packed lunches, or afternoon snacks. Salami, pepperoni, provolone cheese, and crisp lettuce are rolled up in a tortilla and sliced into pinwheels for a satisfying snack or meal. The soft tortilla keeps the fillings neatly tucked inside, making them easy to grab and eat without a plate. Add in banana peppers or mustard for an extra zingy twist.

Tomato, Mozzarella and Pesto Sandwiches are the perfect light lunch or dinner. They’re also a great choice when you want something quick without spending much time in the kitchen. Silky, creamy mozzarella cheese, ripe, juicy tomatoes, and chewy, crusty ciabatta bread are brought together by rich, garlicky, basil-packed pesto. The pesto does most of the work here, adding plenty of garlicky basil flavor without extra seasonings. You can also drizzle a little olive oil over the tomatoes before assembling the sandwich. Serve it cold or toast it until the mozzarella softens for a delicious vegetarian meal!

Puccia is a type of Italian bread that has a pizza dough-like texture, being light and fluffy on the inside with a slightly crispy exterior. Its chewy texture makes it perfect for holding plenty of fillings without falling apart. Stuff it with juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella cheese, salty prosciutto, and peppery arugula, then drizzle with basil oil for a flavorful Puccia Sandwich. The basil oil soaks into the soft bread, giving it even more flavor. Prefer something a little milder? Substitute in spinach for added nutrients! Puccia also pairs well with just about any Italian deli meat, so get creative and experiment with different fillings!

Made with high-quality tuna, crisp lettuce, and hard-boiled eggs, this Italian-Style Tuna Sandwich skips the mayo for a lighter, fresher option that still delivers on flavor. The hard-boiled eggs make the filling extra hearty, while the lettuce adds a little crunch. Served on crusty ciabatta rolls with zesty salsa verde, this tuna sandwich is packed with protein and Italian flair! The salsa verde brings fresh herb flavor that works beautifully with the tuna without making the sandwich too heavy. It’s also a great option for a quick lunch when you’re tired of regular tuna salad. Add a peppery punch with arugula or mild flavor with spinach.

If you’re looking for an easy, Italian-inspired lunch or dinner idea, look no further than this Italian-Style Meatloaf Sandwich! It’s also a great way to turn leftover meatloaf into something completely different the next day. Tender meatloaf is paired with rich marinara sauce and gooey mozzarella cheese, all nestled inside a soft bread roll. The marinara keeps the meatloaf moist, while the mozzarella adds plenty of cheesy goodness. Similar to a meatball sub, this Italian-Style Meatloaf Sandwich offers up all the same Italian flavors, plus a unique twist! Bake it open-faced until the cheese melts and the bread crisps for extra yumminess.

Made with tender slices of organ meat, caciocavallo cheese, and soft-yet-slightly-crispy bread, this authentic Sicilian sandwich will have you rethinking everything you know about comfort food! The meat is simmered in beef broth until tender, giving it a rich flavor that pairs well with the bread. The slow-cooked meat offers up rich, savory flavor while the slightly-sharp caciocavallo cheese brings creamy richness (sub provolone if you can’t find caciocavallo!). This traditional sandwich is a popular street food in Palermo, Sicily, where it’s often served hot. Not one for organ meat? Fear not, because there are plenty of other Italian sandwiches to tempt your tastebuds!

Slow-cooked beef tripe, simmered in onions, tomatoes, celery, and savory seasonings, makes for a hearty, filling Italian sandwich! The tripe cooks slowly until it becomes tender and absorbs all those tasty flavors from the broth. The tender, stew-like meat has rich flavor and is served on a soft, freshly baked roll. The bread soaks up some of the cooking juices, making every bite extra satisfying. Top with a spoonful of bright, herbaceous salsa verde for a flavorful burst with every bite! It’s a popular street food in Florence, where locals have enjoyed it for generations. This hearty Lampredotto sandwich is a must-try if you’re looking for a taste of Florence!

Juicy, well-seasoned meatballs are baked until tender and simmered in savory tomato sauce in this Italian Meatball Sub recipe. Baking the meatballs helps them cook evenly before they go into the sauce. The tomato sauce coats each meatball, giving you plenty of flavor without much extra work. Served on a soft hoagie roll with melty mozzarella cheese and toasted to golden perfection, these Italian Meatball Subs are cheesy, savory, and oh-so-comfy! The roll soaks up some of that tomato sauce while the toasted edges stay slightly crispy. Serve these subs hot with extra napkins because things can get a little messy!

With a slightly-crispy exterior and tender, pillowy interior, Piadina flatbread is the perfect vehicle for any number of delicious Italian sandwich recipes! This traditional Italian flatbread is usually cooked on a hot griddle, giving it a lightly browned exterior while keeping the inside soft. Fill it with prosciutto, mozzarella, tomatoes, and fresh basil and finish with a drizzle of olive oil. You can fold it in half like a sandwich or warm it slightly to soften the cheese. It’s also a great way to use up leftover deli meats and cheeses. No matter which Piadina filling combo you choose, these Italian sandwiches are sure to impress!