I’m embarrassed to admit that I have never eaten a Mufaletta before today. I’ve driven right by a couple places that serve them and never once stopped. I guess I just thought it looked weird. Like cheese on a sub? And I’m not a huge fan of cold cuts. But again, I’ve been missing out, because I really enjoyed this!

The first time I ever heard of a Mufaletta was in the movie My Cousin Vinny. I’m pretty sure this was my first introduction to the sandwich, and to be honest, I never thought to make one. It wasn’t until I was looking at recipes last year and came across a recipe for a muffdiver mufaletta on allrecipes.com, then I knew I had to try it.

The muffaletta is kind of a New Orleans thing, and this sandwich is made up of layers of bread, cold cuts, cheese, and a dressing. Really, it’s just like a sub. I have to remember that, because I feel like I’m going to be craving one and want to make them all the time now. I feel pretty silly that I’ve never tried one before (and I lived in the south!), but thankfully I did this year.

These sandwiches are delicious! They’re really easy to throw together, just like a sub, and they’re super filling. I made these as hoagie style sandwiches, but you can totally make them in a couple size sub buns if you want to eat them on the go (like I did).

Ingredients:

• 1 loaf Italian bread

• 1 pound salami, sliced thin

• 1 pound ham, sliced thin

• 1 pound provolone cheese, sliced thin

• 1 pound mortadella, sliced thin

• 1 pound mozzarella cheese, sliced thin

• 1/2 cup olive oil

• 1/2 cup red wine vinegar

• 1/2 cup Italian dressing

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise

• 1/4 cup chopped parsley

• 1/2 cup chopped black olives

• 1/2 cup chopped green olives

• 1/2 cup chopped celery

• 1/2 cup chopped red onion

• 1/4 cup chopped pepperoncini

• 1/4 cup chopped pepperoncini juice

• 1/4 cup chopped pepperoncini juice

• 1/4 cup chopped pepperoncini juice

• 1/4 cup chopped pepperoncini juice

• 1/4 cup chopped pepperoncini juice

Instructions:

1. Cut bread in half lengthwise, then cut each half into 3 long pieces.

2. Spread olive oil on the bottom of a large pan.

3. Layer the bread, salami, ham, provolone, mortadella, mozzarella, and the rest of the ingredients in the order listed.

4. Heat the mufaletta in the oven at 350 degrees for 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the bread is toasted.

5. Cut into wedges and serve warm.