This Italian focaccia sandwich is loaded with fresh ingredients and it’s on the table in less than 10 minutes! Perfect for easy lunches and quick dinners.
In my quest for dinners in 10 minutes or less, I was looking for inspiration. I found this ham focaccia sandwich recipe on BHG and immediately thought of a great Italian panini I once had.
It’s funny how sometimes we don’t think of making the simplest things for dinner and get in a rut.
A loaded sandwich like this is perfect for a quick dinner, and I will sometimes enjoy a smaller one for lunch, perfect for some fuel during a busy day! Be sure to check out my Gerber Sandwich and steak sliders for easy hand held meals!
It’s simple. So simple little hands can help, and that’s just another reason to love it!
Italian Focaccia Sandwich Ingredients
- Focaccia – Use freshly baked focaccia for the best tasting sandwich. Focaccia is an flat Italian bread that is similar in texture to pizza dough. Grab some at your local bakery! You can of course make this sandwich with other bread you have to hand.
- Pesto – For ease, i like to use jarred pesto for this recipe, but you can of course make your own fresh basil pesto.
- Deli Ham – I love the slightly smoked flavor of deli ham and it works so well with the other sandwich fillings.
- Salami – Salami adds a little bit of spice to the sandwich. You can use a mild or hot salami depending on our tastes.
- Mozzarella – I love how gooey the mozzarella gets when the sandwich is heated. It adds a great creamy flavor and texture to each bite.
- Lettuce and Tomato – I like to add fresh lettuce and tomato for freshness and a bit of goodness!
How To Make An Italian Focaccia Sandwich
- Prep – Heat a skillet on a medium heat.
- Make – Cut the focaccia in half and spread the pesto on each side. Add the cheese, meats and tomato.
- Cook – Heat the sandwich on both sides in the hot skillet until just warm
- Serve – Add the lettuce to the sandwich and serve.
Tips
What’s The Best Salami To Use?
Salami is an Italian cured meat and comes in three main varieties. They often come in different levels of spice, so if these are for little mouths to enjoy, it’s best to choice a milder variety. Soppressata works well for these sandwiches and you can get it at superstore delis.
- Genoa – Made with red wine and garlic. It’s quite acidic and full on flavor. It has a very soft texture.
- Hard Salami – Smoked and cured which is mild in flavor with a firm and dry texture.
- Soppressata – Flavored with peppercorns and widely available it has a slightly chewy texture.
Don’t Over Toast The Focaccia
This is not a toasted sandwich and the focaccia should remain wonderfully soft. Heat the sandwich in a warm pan, just so that the mozzarella starts to melt. Don’t add any butter or oil to the pan or the bread will become crispy.
Can You Make It Ahead Of Time?
This Italian focaccia sandwich is perfect for packed lunches and picnics! Make it up the night before and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate. Don’t make it more than about 12 to 16 hours ahead of time so it’s as fresh as possible.
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More Sandwich Recipes
Italian Focaccia Sandwich
Ingredients
- 1 focaccia
- 1/4 cup pesto
- 1/2 pound salami sliced thin
- 1/2 pound ham sliced thin
- 1/4 pound mozzarella
- 1/4 head lettuce
- 1 tomato
Instructions
- Slice your focaccia in half. Spread pesto on both sides. Top with cheese first, then add ham, salami, and tomato.
- In a skillet over medium heat, heat one side, then the other until just warm. Add lettuce and serve.
