Hearty Italian Sandwiches Recipes

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, cook beef and sausage over medium heat until no longer pink, breaking both into crumbles; drain. Place a third of the onions and peppers in a 5-qt. slow cooker; top with half the meat mixture. Repeat layers; top with remaining vegetables. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and pepper flakes., Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or until vegetables are tender. With a slotted spoon, serve about 1 cup of meat and vegetables on each roll. Top with cheese if desired. Use pan juices for dipping if desired.

Steps:

• In a large skillet, cook the sausage, onion and green pepper over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. Add the cream cheese, mushrooms, Parmesan cheese, water and oregano. Cook and stir until cheese is melted. , Cut bread in half horizontally; hollow out top and bottom, leaving a 3/4-in. shell (save removed bread for another use). , Place bread bottom on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with half of the mozzarella cheese; top with sausage mixture and remaining cheese. Replace bread top. Bake at 375° for 15 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350º. Cut rolls horizontally in half; place roll bottoms in a greased 11x7-in. baking dish. Mix mayonnaise and pesto until combined. Spread over cut sides of rolls. Layer bottoms with mozzarella cheese, ham, salami, pastrami, giardiniera, shredded Parmesan cheese, basil leaves and red onion. Place bun tops over filling and gently press to flatten. , Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven; brush with salad dressing. Bake until golden brown and cheese is melted, about 5 minutes longer. Cool slightly before cutting. Serve with pepperoncini and additional giardiniera if desired.

Steps:

• Spread desired amount of mayonnaise on each ciabatta's top and bottom.
• Layer the ciabatta bottoms with shredded lettuce, salt and peppered tomato slices, onion and pepper rings, mozzarella, basil leaves, the deli meats, and sliced olives. (NOTE: You can mix-up the order of these ingredients to your liking.)
• Drizzle with vinaigrette and sprinkle with red pepper flakes. Cover with the ciabatta tops.
• Cut the ciabatta sandwiches in half on the diagonal and wrap in plastic wrap or waxed paper. Take a few books and set on top of the sandwiches to weigh them down and soak in the vinaigrette.
• Unwrap and enjoy!
• ITALIAN VINAIGRETTE: 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup vinegar, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1/8 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper, and 1/8 teaspoon salt.
• Mix all ingredients in medium bowl with wire whisk until well blended. Cover. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Makes 6 (2-tablespoon) servings. Prep Time: 5 minutes.