Chopped Italian Subs are the perfect sandwich for tailgating or for sharing with friends at a get together on game day. Italian bread is loaded with crisp lettuce, Italian meats, cheese and flavorful vegetables. Dress it all with a bright, homemade Italian dressing to make a hearty sandwich that everyone will love.
My husband and I recently went to an outdoor concert and I made Chopped Italian Subs to eat before the concert started. They travel well and don’t require utensils. I simply cut them to the desired size and wrapped each sandwich in parchment paper. These sandwiches are packed with zesty Italian flavors!
More of the Best Sandwich Recipes
- Buffalo Chicken Crunch Wraps
- Cheeseburger Pockets
- Philly Cheesesteak with Peppers
- Italian Meatball Subs
I love this recipe because there’s not a lot of prep work that goes into making the filling for the sandwich. Chop the lettuce, cherry tomatoes, red onions, meats and cheeses, then add the roasted red peppers and banana pepper rings to the mixture. You can make the dressing and mix the chopped salad ingredients all in one bowl.
Key Ingredients:
Bread– Look for loaves of fresh Italian bread in the bakery section of your grocery store or specialty market. They are wide and long and sturdy enough to hold the filling. Baguettes can also be used, they are more narrow and will make smaller sandwiches.
Iceberg and Romaine lettuce– Two types of lettuce are used in this sandwich. Select fresh romaine hearts and iceberg lettuce and cut it into thin strips.
Italian Meats– Genoa salami is cut into thins strips and ham is cut into small cubes, about 1/4 inch, to include in the sandwich. These Italian meats make these subs flavorful and substantial.
Cheeses– Provolone is the preferred cheese to use. It holds up well to the other ingredients. Cut it into small cubes. Shredded mozzarella can also be added to the sandwich.
Vegetables– Roasted red peppers, thinly sliced red onions, mild banana pepper rings, and halved grape tomatoes are added to the filling of the sandwich.
Homemade Dressing– Make a quick dressing with the juice from the jar of banana peppers, extra virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, salt and black pepper. Whisk these ingredients in the bowl until emulsified, before adding the rest of the sandwich ingredients.
These flavorful ingredients come together to make a sandwich that’s inviting and delicious!
You can serve the filling for Chopped Italian Subs as a salad or side dish to most proteins or pasta. Serve it with grilled chicken, pan seared fish, or Meatballs and Toasted Ravioli. When you’re looking for a tasty side dish, serve this Italian Chopped Salad without the bun!
Tips for making the Best Chopped Italian Subs
Toast the Bread– Toasting the bread makes the sandwich even more crunchy. Cut the loaves in half lengthwise and brush the inside lightly with olive oil. Place them oiled side down on a 350 degree grill for a few minutes to char. Or place them on a sheet pan with the oiled side up and broil at 400 degrees for a minute or 2 to crisp the bread.
Creamy Dressing– Add 1/4 cup mayonnaise to the dressing to make it a creamy Italian dressing. Whisk the dressing thoroughly until fully combined with the EVOO and vinegar before adding the chopped meats, cheese and vegetables to the bowl.
Juice from the Jar– Using the juice from a jar of pickles or banana peppers is a great way to make a salad dressing. These briny liquids can add flavor and brightness. So don’t throw them away, use them in your salad dressings and sauces to amp up the flavor!
How to Make Chopped Italian Subs?
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Thinly slice the lettuce, salami and red onions. Cut the grape tomatoes in half. Cube the ham and cheese for the salad.
- In a medium bowl, mix 1/4 cup of the juice from the jar of banana peppers, one tablespoon of Dijon Mustard, 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, and 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning with a whisk until emulsified. Salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the lettuce and toss to coat with dressing. Stir in remaining ingredients.
- Cut the Italian bread lengthwise, but not completely through to the other side, and spread apart. Remove some of the bread inside the loaf to make room for the filling.
- Add handfuls of chopped salad to the bread. Pour remaining dressing over all. Cut into desired size sandwiches and serve. When making ahead, wrap each sandwich in parchment paper. Recipe makes 3 servings, or 3 6-inch subs.
These hearty subs make a great addition to any tailgating spread or party with friends. Wrap them up and keep them cold before serving. They’ll be the hit of the party!
For more game day recipes, check out these tasty dishes:
Join my community of cooks to receive new recipes sent directly to your inbox. Just enter your email address in the SUBSCRIBE BOX and I’ll send them your way!
Get recipes sent to your inbox!
Chopped Italian Subs
Ingredients
- 2 cups iceberg lettuce, sliced thin
- 1 cup romaine hearts, sliced thin
- 1/2 small red onion, sliced thin
- 1/2 cup salami, genoa
- 1/2 cup grape tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup ham, cubed
- 1/2 cup provolone cheese, cubed
- 1/4 cup roasted red peppers, drained and sliced
- 1/4 cup banana pepper rings, mild, drained
- 1 loaf Italian bread, or 2 small loaves
For the Dressing:
- 1/4 cup juice from jar of banana peppers, or red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Thinly slice the lettuce, salami and red onions. Cut the grape tomatoes in half. Cube the ham and cheese for the salad.
- In a medium bowl, mix 1/4 cup of the juice from the jar of banana peppers, one tablespoon of Dijon Mustard, 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, and 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning with a whisk until emulsified. Salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the lettuce and toss to coat with dressing. Stir in remaining ingredients.
- Cut the Italian bread lengthwise, but not completely through to the other side, and spread apart. Remove some of the bread inside the loaf to make room for the filling.
- Add handfuls of chopped salad to the bread. Pour remaining dressing over all. Cut into desired size sandwiches and serve. When making ahead, wrap each sandwich in parchment paper. Recipe makes 3 servings, or 3 6-inch subs.
Equipment
- 1 sharp knife, & cutting board
- 1 medium bowl, for mixing
- 1 whisk
- parchment paper to wrap sandwiches
Notes
- Toast the Bread– Toasting the bread makes the sandwich even more crunchy. Cut the loaves in half lengthwise and brush the inside lightly with olive oil. Place them oiled side down on a 350 degree grill for a few minutes to char. Or place them on a sheet pan with the oiled side up and broil at 400 degrees for a minute or 2 to crisp the bread.
- Creamy Dressing– Add 1/4 cup mayonnaise to the dressing to make it a creamy Italian dressing. Whisk the dressing thoroughly until fully combined with the EVOO and vinegar before adding the chopped meats, cheese and vegetables to the bowl.
Regena
Never thought to do it this way? Great idea…..gonna do on game day here coming up😃
Raveaboutfood
Hope you enjoy!