Salami Pesto Sandwiches
Layered with all sorts of delicious Italian ingredients, these Salami Pesto Sandwiches are packed with flavor!
This post may contain paid links. For more information, please see our disclosure policy.
Laura and I have been talking for years about how fun it would be to open a small sandwich shop. The menu would be limited, but we would use the best ingredients possible.
The sandwich shop idea came to us when we were sitting on the Italian island of Capri about 10 years ago. We had stopped in a grocery store that made sandwiches-to-order at their deli counter. I went with a classic salami, fresh mozzarella cheese and pesto on chewy Italian bread. Laura went with something similar, but hers included marinated artichokes and a tomato on the side. Simple, but delicious!
I was craving a good sandwich last week, and I decided to grab some Italian ingredients at the grocery store. The result was a batch of these Salami Pesto Sandwiches. They’re not necessarily a classic Italian sandwich, but they are loaded with classic Italian ingredients. There is SO much flavor packed between those slices of bread!
Salami Pesto Sandwiches
This recipe is more of a concept than an actual recipe. Sure, I included amounts and ingredients below for what we made – but you can easily adapt this recipe for your own personal tastes. Love pepperoni? Toss some of that in there. Mortadella instead of salami? Go for it. Provolone cheese? Sure! Just fill this sandwich with your favorite things from the Italian section of the grocery store and enjoy!
I chose to lightly toast these Salami Pesto Sandwiches, but they could easily be served cold or room temperature. In fact, if you wrapped this sammiches tightly in plastic wrap, you could turn ’em into a summer picnic in a local park. (Mental note to my future self: make another batch of these sandwiches and have a picnic in a local park!)
The key to these sandwiches is making sure you use quality, fresh ingredients. Ask the deli counter to slice the salami for you. Make sure to use fresh mozzarella instead of shredded. Grab some fresh basil and arugula (rocket) for sprinkling on top. Oh, and bread. Make sure to grab a crusty, chewy bread. This sandwich wouldn’t work on classic white bread. Go with ciabatta rolls or slice up a long baguette. Layer it all together and enjoy!
I hope this recipe inspires you to make a batch of delicious Italian sandwiches. We really enjoyed these here in our house, and I hope you do, too!
Did you make these Salami Pesto Sandwiches at home? Leave a comment, or snap a photo and tag me on Instagram (@Spicedblog) – I’d love to see what you added to your version!
Salami Pesto Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 4 ciabatta rolls or sub rolls sliced
- 1 Tbsp unsalted butter softened
- ¼ cup prepared basil pesto
- 2 large tomatoes sliced
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasonings
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- 8 oz. hard salame thinly sliced
- 8 oz. fresh mozzarella cheese thinly sliced
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes drained
- ¼ cup baby arugula
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Using a baking sheet, place rolls cut side up; spread butter evenly on each roll.
- Bake for 3-4 minutes.
- Remove rolls from oven and spread the pesto evenly onto the top halves of the rolls; set top halves aside.
- Place tomatoes on the bottom halves of the rolls. Drizzle tomatoes with olive oil and sprinkle Italian seasonings and kosher salt evenly on top.
- Place the salame, mozzarella and sun-dried tomatoes on top. Bake the bottom halves of the sandwiches for another 3-4 minutes.
- Remove sandwiches from oven and top with arugula, basil leaves and the tops of the rolls (brushed with pesto from above).
Looking for more tasty Italian recipes? Check out these other favorites, too:
Cant wait to make this soon for me can i use vegan butter and tofu i love pesto soooooooo much i never had salami pesto sandwiches before perfect for my after office meals love your recipes as always brightens up my day everyday after work
I think tofu could work in this sandwich for sure! I haven’t tried it myself, though, so let me know if you give it a try. Pesto is so tasty on sandwiches!
Love a delicious fresh sandwich — another great way to use that pesto that I’ve got in the fridge! Looks like this is happening for lunch today!
Yes! Pesto on sandwiches is so tasty…and then add in some salami? Yes, please! 🙂
as you may remember I am not a huge fan of pasta or bread but i don’t mind a beautiful fresh sandwich now and again. These look great. At work morning teas, my egg and lettuce sangers used to go down a treat 🙂 I had a French baguette recently at a cafe and it was divine. I suddenly understood why someone would like bread!
I absolutely love bread! Yes, I do understand that cutting back on bread is important when you’re watching calories…but still. A good sandwich is hard to beat! And this one with pesto + salami on a baguette? So good! Thanks, Sherry!
Yum! I don’t eat many sandwiches, but if I could get away with it I’d have this one every day!
The secret to a good (no…great) sandwich is just simple, high quality ingredients! Thanks, Mimi!
This is one tasty looking sandwich, David. Pesto is an underused sandwich spread IMO, so this is definitely calling my name.
I absolutely agree with you about pesto, Marissa! It goes great in pasta (or in cheesy bread…haha), but it’s also wonderful on a sandwich!
We love a good sanga, and the only thing I like more than delicious sandwiches made at home, are great sandwiches made by someone else when we are travelling or eating out. Your idea of a picnic with your sandwiches sounds terrific, love the ingredients you have chosen David. Bread really is such a staple food.
A good sandwich really isn’t that complex…but you have to use good ingredients! Sure, sliced bread is fine, but that’s not how to make a memorable sandwich. Grab a loaf of crusty bread and some high quality ingredients, and you’re almost there! Thanks, Pauline!
I hope you do start up that sandwich shop one day, David. These salami pesto sandwiches look amazing! I’ve never used pesto as a sandwich filling before and I make my own home made pesto all the time so this I’ve got to try!
The problem with me starting up a sandwich shop is I would probably eat all of the profits. 🙂 You should try using some of your homemade pesto on a sandwich – it’s mind-blowing!!
Once every summer, I pack a really nice lunch and take my husband out to a local park. I always pick either someplace that I think he’s never been, or someplace that I know he loves. I have to do this by force, or by stealth, because if I suggesed it as a plan, he’d never do it. But once were in the middle of it, he always loves it. These sandwiches would be perfect for that!
Jeff, you are such a romantic! Packing a picnic lunch for a special location sounds like something out of the movies! I do highly recommend these sammiches for the next time you do a picnic outing. They’re fantastic!
I’m not a fan of salami but my husband certainly is and he will love your sandwich.
I totally get it, Karen! Maybe you could sub in something else (grilled chicken?) along with the pesto in this sandwich?
When I crave a sandwich, Italian ingredients almost always come to my mind! I mean, Italian cheeses, meats, and condiments pair wonderfully with carbs, right? Nice sandwich, I often enjoy something similar, but I love to go with sun-dried tomato pesto (and Daisy loves when I go with prosciutto lol)
I’m right there with ya, Ben. I love sandwiches. Breakfast, lunch, dinner. It doesn’t matter – I’ll go for a sandwich. But my all-time favorites are the ones loaded with Italian ingredients. I’ll have to try it with sun-dried tomato pesto next time – great idea!
Oooh – if yall open a sandwich shop, i might have to move closer cos if this sandwich is on the menu I will have to stop by OFTEN! Though, i could easily make it with your recipe, but it would be so much more epic to feast on it from the OG recipe maker!
BTW – My daughter is in town this weekend and she has a thing for sandwiches-i found a place on the beltline I was going to take her too but she might suggest we do a detour and head your way if she saw this glorious creation!
Haha – I’ll let you know if that sandwich shoppe (yes, we’d spell it shoppe) ever becomes a reality. 🙂 (Tip: Don’t hold your breath…) You guys should head up here for a sammich! It’ll probably take less time to come here than hit Atlanta traffic…haha.
I appreciate your attention to detail when it comes to ingredients. Using fresh mozzarella, aromatic basil, and peppery arugula truly brings out the essence of Italian cuisine. Thank you for sharing this versatile and mouthwatering recipe for Salami Pesto Sandwiches. It’s not just about making sandwiches, it’s about crafting an experience and savoring the essence of Italian flavors.
I couldn’t agree with you more, Raymund. My philosophy about food (and bourbon) is that it’s more about crafting an experience and memories rather than just the ingredients involved. Sure, it might be delicious…but the experience is what leaves lasting memories!
I used to work in the City of London area (Ie the banking area although I’m an architect).
There was a sandwich place around the corner that had salami and Swiss with pesto and rocket on a ciabatta.
It was probably my favourite sando I could get around there. They have added some thing that you listed but your recipe is totally solid.
Hey Patrick! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. It’s funny – some of the best sandwiches don’t need a ton of ingredients. I do think the bread for these sandwiches makes a huge difference though. It’s unlike any other bread I’ve ever found to buy.