Italian Pressed Sandwich

5 from 2 votes

Make your new favorite cold cut sandwich with my recipe for Pressed Italian Sandwiches! They're the perfect hearty sandwich for a picnic!

Prep Time10

Chilling time20

Total Time30

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: Italian Pressed Sandwich, Italian sandwich, Pressed sandwich, pressed sandwiches

Servings: sandwiches

Calories: 624kcal

See our Beef Temperature Chart for helpful tips on cooking any cut of beef!

Slice the ciabatta in half longways, and spread tomato pesto on each half. Place a layer of pepperoni and capicola ham on the bottom half of the bread.
1 loaf Ciabatta bread, ½ cup Tomato pesto, 2-4 ounces Large pepperoni, 2-4 ounces Capicola ham
Top the meat with slices of fresh mozzarella cheese, fresh basil leaves, and sliced tomato.
4 ounces Fresh Mozzarella, 1 bunch Basil, 3-4 slices Tomato
Top the tomatoes with calabrese salami.
4 ounces Calabrese salami
Place on the top half of the bread, then wrap the entire sandwich tightly in plastic wrap. Put a heavy skillet or pot on top of the wrapped sandwich to press it, and set both in the fridge for at least 20 minutes, up to 8 hours or overnight.
Right before serving, unwrap the sandwich and slice off the edges until it's nice and square. Then cut it in half and in half again, and serve!

Ciabatta bread is a favorite for this recipe, but you can use any sturdy Italian bread! Another great option is focaccia- make your own for extra delicious sandwiches!

I love the combination of tomato pesto and Italian deli meat, but you can use any pesto you'd like, or your own homemade blend! Just make sure it's not too oily, or it can get the bread wet.

Worried about soggy bread? Try spreading a thin layer of butter on each slice of bread. It will serve as a moisture guard to keep the bread from getting too wet!

A good quality cheese is a must! Sliced mozzarella balls are my favorite for their soft and tender texture, but a quality provolone is delicious, too.

These sandwiches are perfect for a party or picnic! Prepare them the night before and slice them right before serving.