This stacked spicy Italian sandwich is bold, hearty, and incredibly satisfying, with layers of oven-roasted turkey, oven-roasted chicken, salami, soppressata, American-style Colby cheese, juicy tomatoes, and crisp shredded lettuce. The ingredient that pulls everything together is a homemade Calabrian chili mayo, which adds creamy heat, garlicky flavor, and just the right amount of spice. It is the kind of deli-style sandwich that feels special but comes together quickly, making it perfect for lunch, an easy dinner, or a simple meal when you want something filling without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.
What I love about Applegate is the attention they give to the quality of the meat used in their deli cuts. Their oven-roasted turkey and chicken make this sandwich taste fresh and satisfying, while the salami and soppressata bring the classic Italian-inspired flavor. When stacked with cheese, tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and spicy mayo on rye bread, every bite has a great balance of savory, creamy, crisp, and spicy. This is a simple sandwich recipe, but the layers make it feel generous and full of texture.
Stacked Spicy Italian Sandwich with Calabrian Chili Mayo
Makes 2 Sandwiches
This spicy Italian sandwich recipe is built for maximum flavor with minimal effort. The Calabrian chili mayo can be made in minutes, and the rest of the recipe is all about layering the ingredients so each sandwich holds together well. Rye bread adds a slightly tangy, savory base, but you can use your favorite sliced bread if that is what you have on hand. The key is to spread the mayo on both sides of the bread, stack the meats and cheese evenly, and finish with tomatoes and shredded lettuce for freshness and crunch.
Ingredients
- 6 slices Applegate Natural Oven Roasted Chicken Breast Slices
- 5-6 slices Applegate Natural American Style Colby Cheese
- 6 slices Applegate Organic Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
- 10-12 slices of Applegate Salami
- 5 slices Applegate Soppressata
- 1⁄2 thinly sliced iceberg lettuce
- 2 red roma or beefsteak tomatoes
- 4 slices of rye bread, or bread of your choice
Calabrian Chili Mayo
- 1 tablespoon minced Calabrian chiles
- 3 tablespoons mayo
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Start by making the Calabrian chili mayo. Finely mince the Calabrian chiles, then add them to a small bowl with the mayo, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until the mixture is smooth and evenly combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed, then set the mayo aside while you prepare the sandwich ingredients.
Next, gather everything you need for assembling the sandwiches. Thinly slice the tomatoes so they layer neatly and do not make the sandwich difficult to close. Shred the iceberg lettuce as finely as you like, keeping it crisp and light so it adds texture without overpowering the other ingredients. Lay out the rye bread, deli meats, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, and Calabrian chili mayo before you begin building.
To assemble, spread the Calabrian chili mayo on both slices of bread for each sandwich. Be generous enough to flavor every bite, but not so much that the sandwich becomes messy. Add the American-style Colby cheese first, then layer on the oven-roasted chicken, oven-roasted turkey, salami, and soppressata. Stack the meats evenly so the sandwich has height but still holds together when sliced.
Add the sliced tomatoes over the meat, then finish with a handful of shredded iceberg lettuce. Place the top slice of bread over the filling and press down gently to compact the layers. For a cleaner deli-style sandwich, wrap each sandwich tightly in parchment paper or foil. This helps seal everything together and makes it easier to cut through the center without the fillings sliding out.
Use a sharp knife to slice each sandwich in half. Serve immediately while the lettuce is crisp, the tomatoes are fresh, and the Calabrian chili mayo is creamy and spicy. This stacked spicy Italian sandwich is quick, easy, and full of flavor, making it a great option when you want a homemade sandwich that tastes like something from your favorite deli.
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