The Italian grilled cheese sandwich is a delightful twist on a classic comfort food!
This isn’t your ordinary grilled cheese. It contains layers of prosciutto, salami, pepperoni, gooey provolone cheese, and fresh basil leaves.
The bread gets special treatment, too. It has a generous slather of butter and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning for extra flavor.
Get ready to transport your tastebuds straight to the streets of Italy!
Why You’ll Love This Italian Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Full of Flavor: The combination of provolone cheese, prosciutto, salami, and pepperoni creates a rich and savory taste.
Simple & Gourmet: Simple grilled cheese becomes a gourmet delight with minimal effort. It’s an easy yet impressive meal.
Easy Preparation: Despite its gourmet ingredients, this sandwich is straightforward to prepare.
Perfectly Crispy: The butter and Italian seasoning create a perfectly golden and crispy exterior. There’s a satisfying crunch in every bite.
Ingredients
- Italian Bread or Sourdough Bread: The foundation of this epic sandwich. It’s rusty on the outside and soft on the inside.
- Prosciutto: It adds a delicate, salty flavor that elevates the sandwich.
- Genoa Salami: It provides a rich, savory depth to each bite.
- Pepperoni: It brings a kick of heat and bold flavor to the party.
- Provolone Cheese: This mild, creamy Italian cheese melts like a dream.
- Large Tomato: It lends a burst of freshness and acidity to balance the rich meats and cheese.
- Fresh Basil Leaves: They give the sandwich a pop of Italian herb flavor.
- Softened Butter: It crisps up the bread when grilled, creating a golden, crunchy exterior.
- Italian Seasoning: A fragrant blend of dried Italian herbs gives the flavor notes of oregano, basil, and more.
How to Make an Italian Grilled Cheese Sandwich
This sandwich couldn’t be easier to make!
1. Butter the bread. Spread the softened butter on one side of each bread slice and sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
2. Heat the skillet. Warm a large skillet over medium-low heat.
3. Layer the ingredients. Place 4 slices of bread, buttered side down, in the skillet. Add the provolone, prosciutto, salami, pepperoni, tomato, basil, and a second slice of provolone.
4. Top with the bread. Place the remaining bread slices on top, buttered side up. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and the cheese melts.
5. Cool and serve. Remove the sandwiches and let them cool for 1-2 minutes. Cut them in half diagonally, and serve immediately.
Tips for the Best Italian Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Follow these tips for a sandwich you’ll never forget.
- Use the best bread. Use a sturdy bread like Italian or sourdough that can hold up to the fillings without getting soggy. Ciabatta and focaccia are great options, too.
- Be generous! Spread a generous amount of softened butter on the outside of each bread slice. This helps create a crispy, golden-brown exterior.
- Choose other cheeses. While provolone is classic, try blending it with other Italian cheeses like Mozzarella, Fontina, Asiago, or Parmesan for more flavor complexity.
- Mix up the meat. Experiment with different Italian cold cuts beyond the recipe. Try mortadella, capicola, soppressata, or even leftover meatballs or sausage.
- Dial up the flavor. Amp up the flavor with additions like sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, artichokes, olives, pesto, or giardiniera.
- Serve with soup. For the ultimate comforting combo, pair your Italian grilled cheese with a bowl of tomato or Italian wedding soup.
- Get dipping. Serve the sandwiches with warm marinara or pizza sauce on the side for dipping.
Italian Grilled Cheese Sandwich
4
servings10
minutes8
minutes687
kcalThis Italian grilled cheese sandwich is ooey, gooey, and so savory! Loaded with prosciutto, salami, pepperoni, and provolone, it’s such an indulgence.
Ingredients
8 slices Italian bread or sourdough bread
8 slices provolone cheese
4 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto
4 ounces thinly sliced Genoa salami
2 ounces thinly sliced pepperoni
1 large tomato, thinly sliced
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
4 tablespoons softened butter
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Spread the softened butter on one side of each slice of bread. Sprinkle the buttered sides evenly with the Italian seasoning.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat. Place 4 slices of the bread, buttered side down, in the skillet.
- Top each slice of bread with 1 slice of provolone, followed by even layers of prosciutto, salami, pepperoni, tomato slices, a few basil leaves, and a second slice of provolone.
- Place the remaining 4 slices of bread on top, buttered side up. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
- Remove the sandwiches from the skillet and let cool for 1-2 minutes before cutting in half diagonally. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use a mix of Italian cured meats like prosciutto, salami, and pepperoni for authentic flavor.
- Provolone is the perfect mild, creamy cheese to complement the salty meats.
- Add fresh tomato slices and basil leaves for a pop of freshness and color.
- Brush the outside of the bread with Italian seasoned butter for extra flavor.
