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Authentic New Orleans Muffuletta Sandwich: A Flavorful Journey from Your Kitchen

This Muffuletta Sandwich article is sponsored by Pepperidge Farm, but all content and opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Embark on a culinary adventure to the vibrant streets of New Orleans with this incredible homemade Muffuletta Sandwich. Layers of premium, thinly sliced Italian cold cuts, rich provolone cheese, and a zesty, homemade olive salad come together to create a sandwich experience that’s truly legendary. This isn’t just a meal; it’s a celebration of flavor, tradition, and the spirit of the Crescent City, all made right in your kitchen.

If you’re a sandwich enthusiast, you might also enjoy our ultimate Dr Pepper Pulled Pork n Mac Sandwiches!

Bringing New Orleans Home: The Allure of the Muffuletta

Like many food lovers, I have an ever-growing bucket list of destinations I dream of visiting, and New Orleans consistently ranks at the very top. The city’s rich tapestry of culture, soul-stirring music, and, above all, its iconic culinary landscape resonate deeply with me. Imagine strolling through the historic French Quarter, soaking in the jazz melodies, and savoring the unique flavors that define this extraordinary place. While a spontaneous trip to Louisiana isn’t always possible, my love for New Orleans cuisine inspired me to bring one of its most beloved creations right into my Midwest kitchen: the magnificent Muffuletta Sandwich.

Despite my profound affection for this classic sandwich, I had never before attempted to make one from scratch. What a revelation it was! To my surprise, crafting a homemade Muffuletta is remarkably straightforward, and the resulting flavors are absolutely divine. There’s a special satisfaction in building this iconic sandwich yourself, ensuring every layer is perfect and every bite transports you straight to Bourbon Street.

The Heart of the Muffuletta: Crafting the Perfect Olive Salad

One of the primary reasons I might have delayed making a Muffuletta until now is my family’s less-than-enthusiastic view on olives. I, however, am a true olive aficionado, and for this sandwich, my passion prevailed! Today was about indulging in what I love, and the perfect foundation for this olive-packed masterpiece was a loaf of Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse® Hearty White Bread. While a traditional Muffuletta calls for a crusty, round Italian loaf, my version embraces the convenience and quality of this Farmhouse bread, proving that sometimes, a thoughtful adaptation can be just as delicious.

The beauty of Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse Hearty White Bread lies in its thick, substantial slices and its comforting, fresh-from-the-oven taste. Its robust texture is exactly what’s needed to stand up to the generous moisture and bold flavors of the olive salad, ensuring the sandwich remains firm and delightful without becoming soggy. This hearty bread truly delivers, providing a perfect base that cradles all the delicious fillings without compromise.

The Essential Ingredients: Meats, Cheese, and That Irresistible Olive Spread

Building an authentic Muffuletta Sandwich requires a careful selection of quality ingredients. The synergy of these components is what truly defines its unique character:

Premium Italian Cold Cuts

No Muffuletta is complete without its trio of essential Italian meats. These aren’t just any cold cuts; they bring distinct flavors and textures that are crucial to the sandwich’s identity:

Mortadella: This large Italian sausage, often confused with bologna, is a must-have. Its delicate, finely ground pork, speckled with white fat and sometimes pistachios, offers a rich, subtle flavor and a silky texture. It took me a few stores to track down, but it’s absolutely worth the hunt and truly indispensable for an authentic taste.
Sopresatta: A dry-cured salami known for its rustic texture and savory, slightly spicy profile. It adds a wonderful depth and chewiness to the sandwich.
Capicola: Also known as coppa, this cured pork shoulder boasts a rich, marbled appearance and a bold, peppery flavor that provides a fantastic counterpoint to the other meats.

The generous stacking of these meats is a hallmark of the Muffuletta, ensuring a substantial and incredibly flavorful experience with every bite.

The Perfect Cheese Companion

For the cheese, sharp provolone is the traditional and ideal choice. Its firm texture and tangy, slightly nutty flavor cut through the richness of the meats and complement the brininess of the olive salad beautifully. You want a cheese that can hold its own among the robust flavors, and sharp provolone does just that.

The Signature Homemade Olive Salad (or Muffuletta Spread)

The olive salad, often referred to as olive spread, is the true soul of the Muffuletta. While you can certainly buy pre-made versions, crafting your own is surprisingly simple and allows you to customize the flavors to your liking. Here’s what goes into our vibrant, zesty homemade olive spread:

Olives: A combination of pitted green and Kalamata olives provides a perfect balance of salty, briny notes.
Giardiniera: Hot giardiniera adds a delightful pickled crunch and a touch of heat, elevating the flavor profile.
Roasted Red Peppers: These contribute a sweet, smoky undertone and a vibrant color.
Capers: Tiny capers deliver an intense burst of salty, floral flavor.
Red Wine Vinegar: A splash of red wine vinegar enhances the acidity and brightens the entire spread.
Fresh Parsley: For a touch of freshness and herbaceousness.
A Pinch of Sugar: This secret ingredient balances the acidity and brininess, bringing all the flavors into perfect harmony.

Simply combine all these ingredients in a food processor and pulse a handful of times until you achieve a coarse, chunky texture. “Boom,” as they say – you’ve got homemade olive spread that’s bursting with flavor!

Why Pepperidge Farm Hearty White Bread Shines in This Recipe

The robustness of Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse Hearty White Bread is truly a game-changer for this Muffuletta. The thick slices are designed to absorb the flavorful oils and juices from the olive spread without becoming soggy or falling apart. This is crucial for a sandwich that requires pressing and resting to allow the flavors to meld. When you pull the finished sandwich from the refrigerator, you’ll notice no oil seeping through the bread’s exterior, a clear indication that all those delicious flavors have been locked inside, ready to be enjoyed. It provides a comforting, sturdy base that perfectly complements the rich fillings.

Building Your Muffuletta Masterpiece: Step-by-Step Assembly

Constructing your Muffuletta is an art form, ensuring every layer contributes to the final symphony of flavors. Here’s how to build it to perfection:

Start by laying out your slices of Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse Hearty White Bread.
Generously spread a layer of your homemade olive spread onto one slice.
Next, arrange two slices of provolone cheese, followed by two slices each of mortadella, sopresatta, and capicola. Ensure the meats overlap slightly to cover the bread evenly.
Add another tablespoon or two of olive spread over the meats.
Top with another slice of bread.
Repeat the process for each sandwich.

Once assembled, the magic truly begins. Each sandwich must be tightly wrapped in plastic wrap and placed in the refrigerator for at least two hours, though overnight is even better. This crucial resting period allows the flavors to marry and deepen, and the weight of the sandwiches (especially if stacked) helps to press them, creating that signature compressed texture that makes a Muffuletta so uniquely satisfying.

One Bite of this Muffuletta Sandwich and you’ll be whisked away to Bourbon Street!

Muffuletta Sandwich Recipe

Print Recipe

Muffuletta Sandwich

Prep Time

5 mins

Inactive Time

2 hours

Total Time

2 hours, 5 mins

Author
Megan | Strawberry Blondie Kitchen

Yield
4 sandwiches

Take a trip down to New Orleans with this Muffuletta Sandwich. Layers of thin-sliced Italian cold cuts, cheese and homemade olive salad are what make this Muffuletta Sandwich recipe a classic.

Ingredients

Olive Spread

1/2 cup pitted green olives
1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives
1/4 cup roasted red peppers, drained
1/2 cup hot giardiniera
1/4 cup capers, drained
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup fresh parsley
1 teaspoon sugar

Muffuletta Sandwich

1 loaf Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse Hearty White Bread
Olive spread (recipe above)
8 slices provolone cheese
8 slices mortadella
8 slices sopresatta or salami
8 slices capicola

Instructions

Into a food processor, add all ingredients for the olive spread and pulse 8 to 10 times until coarse but still chunky.
Lay out 4 slices of bread. Place 2 generous tablespoons of the olive spread onto each of the 4 slices of bread. Top each with 2 slices of provolone cheese, followed by 2 slices mortadella, 2 slices sopresatta, and 2 slices of capicola. Add 2 more tablespoons of olive spread over the meats. Place a top slice of bread on each sandwich.
Wrap each assembled sandwich tightly in plastic wrap. For optimal flavor melding and texture, place them into the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to marinade and press. For best results, place a heavy object on top or stack them.
When ready to serve, unwrap, cut in half, and enjoy!

Courses
Lunch

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size
4 sandwiches

Amount Per Serving
Calories 505
% Daily Value
Total Fat 24 g		37%
	Saturated Fat 6 g	30%
Cholesterol 52 mg		17%
Sodium 2359 mg		98%
Total Carbohydrates 51 g		17%
	Dietary Fiber 4 g	16%
	Sugars 10 g
Protein 24 g		48%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

The Unforgettable Experience of a Homemade Muffuletta

There’s nothing quite like the anticipation of a perfectly pressed Muffuletta, waiting in the fridge for its flavors to truly awaken. I find immense joy in having extra olive spread on hand, ready for whenever a craving for this iconic sandwich strikes. From the robust, wholesome bread to the medley of savory meats, the sharp provolone, and that irresistible, zesty olive spread, every element works in harmony. It’s a symphony of tastes and textures, rich and satisfying enough to transport you to a culinary “Fat Tuesday” state of bliss.

And speaking of the bread, Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse® Hearty White Bread continues to impress with its enhanced taste and commitment to quality ingredients. It boasts no added colors or artificial flavors, is free from artificial sources, and contains no high-fructose corn syrup. This means you can feel good about serving a delicious and wholesome sandwich to your entire family. Look for it in your local grocery store today and elevate your sandwich game!

New Orleans Muffuletta