A Grinder Sandwich is also known as a sub, hero, or hoagie and is packed full of delicious deli meat, cheese, and veggies. This Grinder is piled with salami, ham, provolone, tomatoes and grilled green bell peppers and onions for the BEST Italian Grinder you’ve ever had!
My mom used to make this Italian Grinder Sandwich for lunch for us when we were vacationing at the lake or the beach. I always associate it with a day of sun and being on the water! And everyone knows even the most boring sandwich tastes better at the beach!!
However, this sandwich is anything BUT boring. I cook green bell peppers and onions in seasoned olive oil and pile them on top of salami, ham, cheese, and tomatoes. Then I take the seasoned oil and drizzle (ok – pour) it over the top of the sandwich. It’s messy and OH so delicious! I love to make it for my family for lunch (always at the beach like mom did) but I also make it for tailgates or parties and cut it into smaller pieces for a hearty appetizer. And it’s even better a day later so don’t throw away your leftovers!!
Here’s how to make my Italian Grinder Sandwich:
- Heat a medium skillet over medium/high heat and add enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan. Once the oil is hot, add the sliced green bell peppers, sliced onions, and a tsp or so of minced garlic. Stir the veggies together and add 3 tbsp of Italian seasoning, a good pinch of salt, and some pepper. Stir the seasonings into the oil and veggies and let them cook until the peppers and onions are browned and soft.
- While the vegetables are cooking, cut a loaf of Cuban or French bread in half lengthwise. Place it on a large piece of foil on a baking sheet. On the bottom of the bread, add provolone cheese, salami, ham, and sliced tomatoes – piling it as high as you’d like.
- When the pepper and onions are cooked, place the veggies on top of the ham and salami, again using as much as you’d like. Then take the seasoned oil and drizzle (or pour – your choice) the oil over the sandwich. I like using a good amount of the oil because it is SO flavorful!
- Top with the other half of the bread and wrap the entire sandwich in the foil.
- Bake at 350 for about 15-20 minutes or until the cheese has melted. You can uncover the top of the sandwich towards the end of the cooking time to brown the top of the bread.
- Slice into pieces and enjoy!
Italian Grinder Sandwich
Ingredients
- 1 loaf of Cuban or French bread
- 5-6 slices of provolone cheese
- 4 oz deli ham
- 4 oz salami
- 4-5 slices of tomatoes, sliced thin
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1/2 onion, sliced
- 3 tbsp Italian seasoning
- olive oil
- salt & pepper
Instructions
- Heat a medium skillet over medium/high heat and add enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan. Once the oil is hot, add the sliced green bell peppers, sliced onions, and a tsp or so of minced garlic.
- Stir the veggies together and add 3 tbsp of Italian seasoning, a good pinch of salt, and some pepper. Stir the seasonings into the oil and veggies and let them cook until the peppers and onions are browned and soft.
- While the vegetables are cooking, cut a loaf of Cuban or French bread in half lengthwise. Place it on a large piece of foil on a baking sheet.
- On the bottom of the bread, add provolone cheese, salami, ham, and thinly sliced tomatoes - piling it as high as you'd like.
- When the pepper and onions are cooked, place the veggies on top of the ham and salami, again using as much as you'd like. Then take the seasoned oil and drizzle (or pour - your choice) the oil over the sandwich. I like using a good amount of the oil because it is SO flavorful!
- Top with the other half of the bread and wrap the entire sandwich in the foil. Bake at 350 for about 15-20 minutes or until the cheese has melted. You can uncover the top of the sandwich towards the end of the cooking time to brown the top of the bread. Slice into pieces and enjoy!
I thought only people from Connecticut used the word grinder to describe that sandwich. I’m from Connecticut originally, and people always look at me strangely when I use that word. Welcome to the club. Lol!