Italian Pressed Sandwiches- Oh Sweet Basil

Layers of Italian meats, roasted red peppers, tomatoes, spinach and fresh mozzarella all pressed between tender slices of Italian bread. Oh baby, these Italian pressed sandwiches are so yum!

For years and years I’ve wanted to share these fantastic Italian sandwiches with you all but never took the time to snap pictures until now! They are perfect for a picnic or a special lunch!

How to Make Italian Presseds Sandwiches Video

Time for a Picnic!

You see, picnics are kind of my thing. I adore them. I always have. Growing up we would make a delicious bowl of potato salad, pick up KFC (I KNOW, but don’t judge, KFC and picnics was a thing and I bet you did the same thing!) and head to some park or up into the mountains. Especially in July when our church would hold a huge Stake picnic, an entire day of games, water slides, family activities etc. It was incredible!

Sometimes when we would ditch KFC, we would haul sandwiches and sides and that was truly my favorite kind of picnicking. There’s something so free and wonderful about unplugging and finding respite in the hills. So, in case you’ve forgotten that joy-especially the one you were reminded of during quarantine (come on, did we so quickly forget the lessons we learned?!) then let me remind you, a stacked sandwich, a bunch of fresh fruit, salty chips and maybe a dessert like our lemon drop cookies will bring all kinds of happy to you and your favorite people.

You can try all sorts of flavors for pressed sandwiches such as mayo and turkey blt style, turkey, cheese and avocado, heirloom tomatoes, mozzarella, peppers and eggplant, etc. The sky’s the limit!

What is a Pressed Sandwich?

A pressed sandwich is exactly what it sounds like. It is a sandwich that is loaded with lots of amazing ingredients layered between a delicious bread, like a ciabatta or baguette, which is then wrapped in plastic wrap and pressed for an extended period of time with a heavy object. This allows the flavors to all meld together making the most tasty bites of sandwich.

What Ingredients Do You Need for Pressed Italian Sandwiches?

If you’re headed to the store to buy all the items for your next picnic, here is your shopping list for these sandwiches:

• Italian Bread (ciabatta, focaccia, or your favorite)
• Prosciutto
• Italian Meats (genoa salami, varzi, calabrese)
• Tomato
• Roasted Red Bell Peppers or Sun-dried Tomatoes
• Balsamic Glaze
• Fresh Mozzarella
• Baby Spinach (or Basil)
• Pesto

I recommend a bag of crisp grapes and some kettle cooked potato chips! These sandwiches are totally customizable! If there are certain meats you prefer over others, do it! Change the meats, veggies, cheese, spreads…make it the way you want it! The measurements for each ingredient in the sandwiches can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.

How to Make Pressed Italian Sandwiches

There’s not much to making a sandwich which is why they are so awesome! Here are the basic steps:

1. Slice open the bread and spread loads of pesto on one side.
2. Drizzle the other side with a little olive oil.
3. Lay the tomatoes and roasted red peppers (see section below) flat on the side with olive oil. Drizzle with balsamic glaze.
4. Layer the meats, cheese, and spinach (or basil).
5. Place the top of the bread on and wrap in plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator and put a heavy skillet (or anything flat and heavy) on top to press it down.
6. Serve with your favorite picnic sides!

These instructions can also be found in more detail in the recipe card below.

How Do I Press a Sandwich?

I’ve seen all sorts of methods, but the easiest for me is to just place the wrapped sandwich on a cookie sheet and then set my heaviest cast iron skillet on top. I’ve also seen people put another cookie sheet on top and then pile dumbbells on top. You can do whatever works best for you. You just want the sandwich to be pressed between two flat surfaces.

How to Roast Red Peppers

Put your oven on broil and place your pepper(s) on a cookie sheet right under the coils. Roast them for 8-10 minutes turning them occasionally so they blister on all sides. Pull the cookie sheet out and let the peppers cool until they are cool enough to handle. Then peel off the skin, slice them open and remove the seeds.

How to Keep My Pressed Sandwich from Getting Soggy?

Pressed sandwiches are prone to getting soggy with so many layers of goodness inside, but it is easily avoided. There’s nothing worse than soggy bread! First, use the pesto as a barrier on the inside of the bread. You could even spread butter on one side if you don’t want pesto on both.

Second, pat dry any of the wet ingredients like tomatoes, roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes with a paper towel before adding them.

Lastly, use the cheese and meats as a bread barrier for the wetter layers.

What to Serve at a Picnic?

I love these sandwiches with some crunchy chips and a simple side salad or fruit. For a picnic, here are few other great side options:

Take a picture of your picnic and tags us on social media! We would love to see it!

These Italian pressed sandwiches are hearty, packed with flavor, and so portable which make them perfect for a picnic, potluck, baby (or bridal) shower, or brunch. You can make them a day ahead of time, and they also store well for the next day. You’re going to just love these!

More Tasty Sandwich Recipes:

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