This Giant Muffaletta Italian Sandwich is a bold, shareable masterpiece loaded with savory deli meats, creamy cheeses, and a zesty olive salad. Perfect for gatherings, game days, or a hearty meal, this New Orleans-inspired classic is bursting with flavor and easy to make. Get ready to impress your crowd with this delicious, tangy sandwich!

Ingredients

For the Olive Salad

• 1 cup green olives, pitted and chopped
• 1 cup black olives, pitted and chopped
• ½ cup roasted red peppers, chopped
• ¼ cup pickled giardiniera, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Sandwich

• 1 large round loaf of Italian or French bread (9–10 inches)
• ¼ lb sliced Genoa salami
• ¼ lb sliced mortadella
• ¼ lb sliced chicken ham
• ¼ lb sliced provolone cheese
• ¼ lb sliced mozzarella cheese

Instructions

1. Make the Olive Salad: In a medium bowl, mix green olives, black olives, roasted red peppers, giardiniera, and minced garlic. Add olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, and basil. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight for best flavor). (~10 minutes prep, 1 hour chilling)
2. Prepare the Bread: Slice the bread loaf horizontally in half. If the bread is thick, scoop out some of the interior to make room for fillings. (~5 minutes)
3. Assemble the Sandwich: Spread half the olive salad generously on the bottom half of the bread. Layer salami, mortadella, chicken ham, provolone, and mozzarella. Top with the remaining olive salad on the top half of the bread. (~5 minutes)
4. Press the Sandwich: Place the top half of the bread on the sandwich. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Press with a heavy skillet or cans on top for 30 minutes to 1 hour to meld flavors. (~30–60 minutes)
5. Serve: Unwrap, slice into wedges, and serve immediately. (~5 minutes)

Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Chilling/Pressing Time: 30 minutes–1 hour
• Total Time: ~50–80 minutes
• Serves: 6–8
• Calories: Approx. 450–550 kcal per serving (based on 8 servings)

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with pickles, potato chips, or a light green salad.
• Pair with a cold beer, iced tea, or a sparkling soda.
• Perfect for picnics, parties, or game-day spreads.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Bold Flavors: The tangy olive salad pairs perfectly with rich meats and cheeses.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: The sandwich tastes even better as flavors meld.
• Crowd-Pleaser: Ideal for sharing at gatherings or enjoying over multiple meals.

Optional Variations

• Meat Swap: Try capicola, prosciutto, or turkey for different flavors.
• Cheese Twist: Swap provolone or mozzarella for Swiss or fontina.
• Spicy Kick: Add chopped pepperoncini or a dash of hot sauce to the olive salad.

Make this Giant Muffaletta Italian Sandwich for a delicious, shareable meal that’s sure to wow! Share your creations in the comments or tag us on social media. #MuffalettaSandwich #ItalianFlavors #PartyFood