Baked Italian Sub Sandwiches Recipe

Today, I’m bringing you a total game-changer for lunch or dinner: the Baked Italian Sub Sandwich! Forget your cold cuts and sad soggy bread—we’re heating things up to create a truly delicious, melty, and savory experience that tastes like it came straight from a gourmet deli. With layers of savory ham and salami, sharp provolone, and a zesty kiss of herbs and peppers, these subs are perfectly warmed and toasted to crunchy, cheesy perfection. Trust me, these are easy to make, ready in just over 20 minutes, and will disappear off the plate in record time!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Ultimate Comfort Food: There’s something magical about a hot, cheesy, gooey sandwich. This recipe delivers that perfect, warm hug you need after a long day!
• A Flavor Explosion: We’re combining salty cured meats, tangy banana peppers, sharp provolone, and a buttery, herby finish—it’s seriously addicting.
• Super Quick & Easy: From start to finish, you’re looking at about 22 minutes. That means a fantastic, high-flavor meal is always within reach, even on busy weeknights.
• Total Crowd-Pleaser: Whether you’re feeding a family or hosting a game day, everyone—and I mean everyone—loves a perfectly baked sub.

Ingredients

All you need for this delicious Baked Italian Sub, and about 10 minutes of prep time! It truly couldn’t be easier. Just gather up these flavor-packed ingredients:

• Sub or Hoagie Rolls: These are your foundation! Make sure they are sturdy enough to hold all the delicious fillings without falling apart once baked.
• Turkey or Chicken Ham: Provides a savory, salty layer that is classic to a great Italian sub.
• Salami (Beef or Turkey): Adds that quintessential bold, spicy, and rich flavor that defines an Italian sub.
• Provolone Cheese: This is the magic ingredient! It melts beautifully and has a sharp, slightly nutty flavor that stands up perfectly to the meats and peppers.
• Red Onion: Adds a needed sharp bite and crunch that mellows out nicely once the sandwich is baked.
• Tomato: Brings freshness and a juicy texture contrast to the richness of the cheese and meat.
• Banana Pepper Rings: Essential for that tangy, acidic kick that cuts through the savory flavors. This is a game-changer!
• Black Olives: Offers a briny, salty depth of flavor that complements the Italian herbs.
• Olive Oil: Used to brush the inside of the rolls, creating a moisture barrier and a rich base layer for the herbs.
• Dried Oregano & Basil: The quintessential Italian herb duo that infuses the bread and fillings with classic, warm flavor.
• Garlic Powder: Adds an immediate, delicious savory punch right into the sub roll.
• Salt and Pepper: The simple seasonings needed to tie all the complex flavors together.
• Butter (Melted): Brushed on the outside to help the bun get perfectly toasted and golden brown in the oven.
• Sesame Seeds (Optional): This little sprinkle on top adds a beautiful texture and a nutty, toasty finish—highly recommended!

Note: The ingredients list with exact measurements, along with the full nutritional information, will be found right under this article in the convenient recipe card!

How to Make the Baked Italian Sub Sandwiches

This recipe is seriously quick—you’ll have dinner on the table in about 20 minutes. Let’s get baking!

Step 1: Prep and Preheat

First things first: crank your oven up to $375^\circ\text{F}$ ($190^\circ\text{C}$). While it’s heating, line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Slice your sub rolls lengthwise, being careful not to slice all the way through—we want them hinged like a book! Place them open-faced on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 2: Butter and Herb the Rolls

Next, let’s infuse that bread with flavor! Brush the inside of each roll with a little bit of olive oil. Now, sprinkle lightly with your garlic powder, dried oregano, and dried basil. This creates a delicious, herby base for your fillings.

Step 3: Layer the Goodness

Time for the fun part! Build your sandwich layers. Start with the meats, adding your slices of turkey ham and salami to each roll. Follow that up with a generous blanket of provolone cheese, then layer on your thinly sliced red onion, tomato slices, banana peppers, and black olives.

Step 4: Bake until Melty

Gently close the sandwiches. Brush the tops of the rolls with your melted butter, and sprinkle with sesame seeds if you’re using them (you absolutely should!). Now, the key to success: wrap each sandwich loosely in foil. Place the wrapped subs back on the baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until that provolone cheese is gloriously melted and everything is heated through.

Step 5: Unwrap and Enjoy!

Carefully unwrap your piping hot subs. Serve these gems right away with a side of marinara sauce for dipping (trust me on this!) or some crispy chips. Get ready for applause!

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

• Don’t Over-Bake: Keep a close eye on them! You want the cheese melted and the bun warmed through, but you don’t want the bread to become hard or overly crunchy. 10-12 minutes is usually the sweet spot.
• High-Quality Meat Matters: Since the meat is the star, look for good-quality, thin-sliced ham and salami. It makes a huge difference in the final flavor!
• Toast the Seeds: If you’re using sesame seeds, toasting them lightly in a dry pan before sprinkling them on can really amp up their nutty flavor!
• Spice it Up: If you love heat, add a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes to the meats before baking. It adds a wonderful Italian kick!

How to Serve and Pairings

These subs are fantastic on their own, but serving them with a little something extra takes them over the top:

• Dipping Sauce: My favorite way to serve them is with a warm bowl of simple marinara sauce for dipping. It’s the perfect savory, acidic addition!
• Classic Sides: Pair them with a simple side like crunchy potato chips, or a batch of crisp, oven-baked sweet potato fries.
• Freshness Factor: Serve alongside a crisp, simple garden salad tossed in a bright, zesty Italian vinaigrette to cut through the richness of the sandwich.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have any leftovers (it’s rare!), place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in foil and keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freezing

I don’t recommend freezing these subs after they’ve been baked, as the bread tends to get mushy when thawed. It’s best to enjoy them fresh!

Reheating

The best way to reheat these is in the oven! Unwrap the sub, wrap it loosely in new foil, and bake at $350^\circ\text{F}$ ($175^\circ\text{C}$) for about 5-8 minutes until warmed through and the cheese is gooey again. The microwave will work in a pinch, but the oven keeps the crust crisp!

FAQs

1. Can I use different types of meat or cheese in this recipe?

Absolutely! This recipe is incredibly versatile and you should definitely make it your own. If you prefer, swap the turkey ham for prosciutto or classic mortadella. For the cheese, sliced mozzarella, Swiss, or even pepper jack would work wonderfully depending on the flavor profile you’re going for! Feel free to experiment with your favorite deli staples.

2. I don’t have sub rolls. What else can I use?

No problem! You can easily make this recipe using other types of sturdy bread. A baguette cut into individual sandwich portions, small Italian loaves, or even thick slices of Texas toast can work in a pinch. Just be sure whatever you use is robust enough to hold up to the melted cheese and juicy fillings without getting soggy!

3. Is it really necessary to wrap the subs in foil before baking?

Yes, wrapping the sandwiches loosely in foil is a key step! It helps create a little steamy environment in the oven, which warms the meats and melts the cheese beautifully without drying out the bread. This ensures you get that soft, gooey interior with a perfectly warmed crust instead of a rock-hard, over-toasted bun.

4. How can I add more heat or spice to these sandwiches?

If you’re looking to turn up the heat, there are a few easy ways to do it! You can sprinkle some crushed red pepper flakes right on top of the meat layers before adding the cheese. Alternatively, swap out the black olives for spicy pickled jalapeño slices, or even drizzle a little hot sauce or spicy Italian dressing onto the fillings before baking.