Giant Muffaletta Italian Sandwich

A bold New Orleans classic layered with Italian cold cuts, provolone cheese, and tangy olive salad — the perfect party sandwich.

 Prep Time: 30 minutes

 Chill Time: 1–4 hours (recommended)

 Total Time: About 1 hour (active + chill)

 Difficulty: Easy

 Yields: 8–10 hearty servings

 What is a Muffaletta?

The Muffaletta (also spelled “Muffuletta”) is a famous sandwich from New Orleans, originating from Sicilian immigrants and first sold at Central Grocery. It’s traditionally made on a large, round sesame loaf and layered with Italian deli meats, cheeses, and most importantly — a zesty, briny olive salad that soaks into the bread for incredible flavor.

This giant version is built for sharing — great for game day, parties, picnics, or tailgates.

 Ingredients

 For the Sandwich:

• 1 large round Italian or sourdough loaf (10–12 inches wide)

• ¼ lb (115g) Genoa salami

• ¼ lb (115g) mortadella or capicola

• ¼ lb (115g) ham (Black Forest or deli-style)

• ¼ lb (115g) provolone cheese, sliced

• ¼ lb (115g) mozzarella or Swiss cheese, sliced

You can mix and match the meats and cheeses based on your favorites!

 For the Olive Salad:

• 1 cup green olives, pitted and roughly chopped

• ½ cup kalamata or black olives, pitted and chopped

• ⅓ cup roasted red peppers, chopped

• ¼ cup pickled cauliflower (from giardiniera), chopped

• 2 tbsp capers

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped

• ½ tsp dried oregano

• ½ tsp red chili flakes (optional)

• ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil

• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

 Instructions

 Step 1: Make the Olive Salad

1. In a medium bowl, combine:

   • Green and black olives

   • Roasted red peppers

   • Pickled cauliflower

   • Capers

   • Garlic

   • Parsley, oregano, chili flakes

2. Stir in olive oil and red wine vinegar until fully coated.

3. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

4. Let sit for 15–30 minutes (or overnight) for the flavors to meld.

🫒 This salad is what gives the muffaletta its signature flavor — don’t skip it!

 Step 2: Prepare the Bread

1. Slice your round loaf horizontally and remove some of the soft bread from the center to make room for the filling.

2. Brush both cut sides of the bread with some of the olive salad oil (from the bowl).

3. Spread half of the olive salad on the bottom half of the loaf.

 Step 3: Layer the Meats & Cheeses

1. Start layering your meats and cheeses:

   • A layer of salami

   • Then ham

   • Then provolone

   • Followed by mortadella or capicola

   • Then mozzarella or Swiss

2. Finish with the remaining olive salad, spreading evenly.

 Step 4: Assemble & Press

1. Place the top half of the bread over the filling and gently press down.

2. Wrap the entire sandwich tightly in plastic wrap or foil.

3. Chill for 1–4 hours (or up to overnight) — this helps the flavors meld and makes the sandwich easier to slice.

Optional: Place a heavy skillet or books on top to gently press the sandwich while it chills.

 Step 5: Slice & Serve

1. Remove from the fridge and unwrap.

2. Slice into wedges or squares, like a cake or pie.

3. Serve cold or at room temperature.

 Serving Suggestions

• Serve with Zapp’s potato chips, pickles, or a side of coleslaw

• Ideal for picnics, Super Bowl parties, tailgates, or buffet tables

• Pair with iced tea, beer, or a crisp Italian soda

 Storage Tips

• Fridge: Store leftover slices wrapped tightly in foil or plastic for up to 3 days.

• Make-ahead: Can be made up to 1 day in advance — actually improves with time!

 Nutritional Estimate (Per Slice — Based on 10 Servings)

Nutrition will vary based on meat and cheese types and exact portions used.