This Italian-inspired Ciabatta Sandwich is a flavorful and loaded lunch!
I was raised in a large Italian family, which meant it was always loud, it was always crowded, and there was always a full kitchen. Even though we argued about pretty much everything, we could always manage to come together over food … even when we were arguing about food.
My nonna was an Italian chef back in her day, and many of my relatives own their own restaurants and delis—where many more relatives have worked over the years. I myself spent a couple of my college years working at a sandwich shop, slicing fresh meats and cheeses, making my own pesto, and serving customers with my signature Italian charm. As an Italian, there are few things I love more in this world than food. As a sandwich shop employee, there were few things I loved more than our signature ciabatta sandwich.
It’s been nearly a decade since I worked in that sandwich shop, but to this day I make that ciabatta sandwich more often than I’m willing to admit. It’s an easy recipe, and it makes for a gourmet lunch full of Italian flavors. This ciabatta sandwich has layers of deli meats, real mozzarella cheese, fresh tomatoes, peppers, greens, and an aromatic pesto that sells the whole thing. If you love an old-school Italian sub, you’ll love this ciabatta sandwich.
Is This Ciabatta Sandwich Healthy?
Like all good Italian food, you have to enjoy this ciabatta sandwich in moderation if you’re following a healthy diet. The ingredients in this sandwich are fresh and light, but they stack up—pun intended! Pair your ciabatta sandwich with a healthy salad or side of fruit to balance your meal. You can also make this ciabatta sandwich vegetarian by ditching the turkey and salami and loading up on more veggies!
How To Make Homemade Pesto
Despite being named after its warm, fluffy, toasted bread, the star of the ciabatta sandwich is actually the pesto. Sure, you can use your favorite jar of pesto for a quick, easy, and tasty lunch. But if you want my best recommendation, you’ve got to make the pesto from scratch. It’s not as challenging as you’d think! Just follow this recipe from my friends at FFF (it’s gluten AND dairy-free!) All you need is pine nuts, some fresh basil, and a few pantry staples to up your sandwich game forever. Plus, you can enjoy it on pizza, pasta, and every other Italian dish you can think of!
INGREDIENTS
- 1 loaf ciabatta bread
- 4 tablespoons pesto sauce
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
- 10 ounces sliced deli turkey
- 6 ounces Italian dry salami
- 1 large tomato, sliced
- 2 tablespoons roasted red peppers, chopped
- Fresh arugula leaves
- Fresh basil leaves, chopped
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
- Balsamic vinegar, for drizzling (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
Prepare
Slice ciabatta and spread with pesto.
Layer
Add cheese, meats, veggies, and greens.
Assemble
Top sandwich, slice, and serve.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
To save time down the line, you can prep your ingredients ahead and store them separately in airtight containers in the fridge. Once assembled, you can individually wrap your ciabatta sandwiches and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Ciabatta is an Italian white bread, with a crunchy outside and a soft, chewy inside. Ciabatta was actually created by Italian bakers to rival the rising popularity of French bread, providing locals with an Italian alternative. What can I say? We Italians love to be the center of attention, and we don’t give in to competition. The result was an iconic loaf to rival and withstand generations of bread choices!
Like any good sandwich, this one is all about customizations. Personally, I always add red onion and sliced olives to mine. But there are lots of other ways to make your ciabatta sandwich your own. If you’re not a fan of pesto, you can swap it for different spreads like this Avocado Spread for a creamier twist or this Onion Ring Sauce for some sweet and spicy flavors. You can also try a different cheese like provolone, swap out the turkey for ham, or even try an alternative to the ciabatta bread. Like the popular sub shops say, you can have this sandwich your way.
Serving Suggestions
I always love to eat my ciabatta sandwich with a side of soup, especially in the colder months. This Broccoli Cauliflower Soup, a classic Tomato Rice Soup, or an Italian-inspired Tortellini Soup all make for great choices.
Of course, you also can’t go wrong if you serve your ciabatta sandwich with a side of Homemade Potato Chips, French Fries, or Onion Rings.
Ciabatta Sandwich
Ingredients
- 1 loaf ciabatta bread
- 4 tablespoons pesto sauce
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese sliced
- 10 ounces sliced deli turkey
- 6 ounces Italian dry salami
- 1 large tomato sliced
- 2 tablespoons roasted red peppers chopped
- Fresh arugula leaves
- Fresh basil leaves chopped
- Kosher salt and pepper to taste
- Balsamic vinegar for drizzling (optional)
Instructions
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Cut the ciabatta loaf horizontally to open and prepare for layering.
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Spread the pesto sauce evenly on both cut sides of the bread.
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Place the sliced mozzarella cheese on the bottom half of the bread.
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Layer the deli turkey and Italian dry salami over the cheese.
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Top with sliced tomato, roasted red peppers, and fresh arugula and basil. Sprinkle on some salt and pepper and then drizzle on balsamic vinegar if using.
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Carefully close the sandwich with the top half of the bread, slice into individual portions, and serve.
Nutrition
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