Pesto Focaccia Sandwich (With Ham, Turkey, And Provolone)
Brace yourselves because what we have here is not just a sandwich. It’s a pesto focaccia sandwich revolution! This recipe takes the humble sandwich to heights unknown, transforming it into a next-level culinary delight that towers above any standard sandwich.
Why You Will Love This
Stepping into the world of focaccia sandwich recipes doesn’t have to be daunting. It’s quite the opposite! Even whipping up the homemade focaccia is a breeze, making this recipe a stress-free yet delightful food adventure.
But ease of preparation isn’t the only thing this pesto focaccia sandwich has going for it.
One bite, and you’ll be swept away by a wave of vibrant, fresh flavors that come together to create a truly remarkable sandwich experience.
It’s the epitome of simplicity, meeting extraordinary taste, guaranteeing to elevate your easy lunch game to a whole new level. Trust us, your taste buds will be thanking you!
Having an Italian wife leaves no shortages of what to serve with this sandwich if you’re looking for a side dish. Soup or salad would be great.
Check out our Fresh Tomato Mozzarella Salad or Arugula Fennel Salad for an awesome salad option. For soups, you can never go wrong with our Easy Creamy Tomato Basil Soup or Italian Wedding Soup.
Ingredients Needed
Assembling this pesto focaccia sandwich is as easy as pie, with simple ingredients that bring a burst of flavor to your plate.
And if you’re short on time, grabbing a store-bought focaccia will work just as well.
- Homemade Focaccia (or store-bought): The foundation of our sandwich, focaccia brings a rustic, hearty flavor and a delightfully chewy texture that harmonizes beautifully with the fillings.
- Turkey Slices: Adds a lean yet rich, tender, succulent protein element, making each bite a joyous experience.
- Ham Slices: Complementing the turkey, the ham introduces a savory depth to the sandwich, enhancing the overall meaty goodness.
- Provolone Cheese: This cheese introduces a creamy and slightly tangy note, binding the meats and pesto together in a delightful cheesy embrace.
- Pesto: The star of the show, it lends a vibrant, herby, and nutty flavor profile, tying all the ingredients together in a fresh and zesty bow, elevating the sandwich to a gourmet level. Homemade pesto works great, but store-bought makes it super easy.
How To Make This Pesto Focaccia Sandwich
We recommend that you make our very easy and extremely tasty focaccia. We’ve had more compliments on this bread than we can count. It’s freaking DELICIOUS!
It’s also very easy to make, making it perfect for this recipe. You just need to plan on making the dough the day before and then baking it the day you plan on making the sandwiches.
So, whether you decide to make your own or use a store-bought version, you’re ready to craft this delicious sandwich!
Go ahead and preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
Serve them up and watch the smiles grow. Each bite promises a symphony of flavors, making lunchtime (or anytime) something to look forward to.
note
For the serving size, using our focaccia recipe, you will be able to make 12 decent-sized sandwiches. You can even cut them smaller to make a banging appetizer plate of these flavor bombs!
Tips
- Balanced Spread of Pesto: When spreading the pesto, ensure it covers every nook and cranny of the cut sides of your focaccia. This ensures every bite is bursting with the vibrant flavor of the pesto, creating a harmonious balance with the meats and cheese.
- Quality of Ingredients: Always opt for the best quality of meats and cheese you can find. The quality of your ingredients can truly elevate your sandwich from great to extraordinary, offering a richer and more flavorful result.
- Serving Fresh: This sandwich is best served fresh, allowing you to fully enjoy the combination of warm, crispy focaccia with the cool, fresh flavors of the pesto and the melt-in-your-mouth cheese. If you’re not serving it immediately, consider warming it slightly before serving to rejuvenate the flavors and textures.
Variations
- Italian Feast: For a true Italian flair, substitute the turkey and ham with authentic Italian cold cuts such as prosciutto, salami, and coppa. These cured meats bring a rich and complex flavor profile to the sandwich, making each bite a little journey to Italy.
- Spicy Kick: If you’re someone who enjoys a bit of heat, consider adding some spicy elements to your sandwich. Add some slices of spicy salami or even a sprinkle of red pepper flakes into the pesto for a sandwich with a kick.
- Vegetarian Delight: Swap out the meats for grilled vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, and red peppers for a hearty vegetarian version. Adding some fresh mozzarella alongside the provolone can also introduce a wonderful creaminess to balance the grilled veggies.
FAQs
This sandwich pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. Consider serving it with a fresh garden salad, a side of crispy potato wedges, or even a bowl of comforting soup. For a true Italian experience, you might also consider a side of olives or sun-dried tomatoes.
While it’s best enjoyed fresh to experience the crispness of the focaccia and the vibrant flavors of the pesto, you can certainly prepare components of the sandwich in advance. If you need to store the assembled sandwich for a short period, wrap it tightly in cling film and store in the refrigerator. Before serving, you might consider warming it slightly in the oven to rejuvenate the textures and flavors.
The pesto used in this sandwich is typically a basil pesto, which is a blend of fresh basil leaves, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. However, you can experiment with different types of pesto, such as sundried tomato pesto or even a spicy red pepper pesto, to bring a different flavor profile to your sandwich.
Other Delicious Sandwich Ideas
Pesto Focaccia Sandwich Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 loaf Focaccia bread or store-bought
- 10 oz Ham sliced, deli style, appx 14 slices
- 10 oz Turkey sliced, deli style, appx 14 slices
- 4 oz Provolone sliced, thin, appx 6 slices
- 9 oz Basil pesto almost a cup
Instructions
- preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cut your homemade focaccia horizontally with a serrated knife, creating the top and bottom halves. Place them cut sides up on a foil-lined baking sheet. Add a generous layer of pesto on the cut sides of the focaccia.1 loaf Focaccia bread, 9 oz Basil pesto
- Next, layer on the turkey and ham slices.10 oz Ham, 10 oz Turkey
- Follow that up with the provolone cheese. Close the sandwich and give it a gentle press. Tent the baking sheet with aluminum foil and place into the oven for 10 minutes. Then, uncover and bake for about another 5 minutes.4 oz Provolone
- Remove from the oven. Use a serrated knife to cut it into individual servings.
- Serve and enjoy.