Healthy Recipes Main Dish Sandwich Chopped Italian Sandwiches 4.3 (3) 3 Reviews This mouthwatering chopped Italian sandwich is assembled using a method where all the ingredients are arranged in a single layer, finely chopped together and then layered onto the bread. It’s a straightforward yet efficient technique that you’ll find yourself using again and again. Feel free to add Italian antipasto ingredients like canned artichokes, olives, sun-dried tomatoes or roasted bell peppers for an extra flavorful twist. By Renu Anshie Dhar Renu Anshie Dhar Renu Dhar has more than a decade of cumulative experience cooking as a personal chef and culinary instructor. As a personal chef, she developed over 1,000 personalized recipes and meal plans for her clients. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Published on May 9, 2024 Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD Emily Lachtrupp is a registered dietitian experienced in nutritional counseling, recipe analysis and meal plans. She's worked with clients who struggle with diabetes, weight loss, digestive issues and more. In her spare time, you can find her enjoying all that Vermont has to offer with her family and her dog, Winston. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Save Rate PRINT Share Close Credit: Photographer: Stacy K. Allen, Props: Christina Brockman, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf Active Time: 15 mins Total Time: 15 mins Servings: 4 Nutrition Profile: Sesame-Free Nut-Free High-Protein Jump to Nutrition Facts Photographer: Stacy K. Allen, Props: Christina Brockman, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf Cook Mode (Keep screen awake) Ingredients 2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce 8 ounces sliced deli-roasted turkey breast (about 4 slices) 2 ounces pepperoni slices (about 15 slices) 1 small tomato, sliced 1/2 cup sliced red onion 4 slices provolone cheese 2 tablespoons drained mild banana pepper rings 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning 2 tablespoons mayonnaise 1 1/2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1 (8-ounce) whole-wheat baguette, toasted if desired Directions Place lettuce on a large cutting board. Layer turkey, pepperoni, tomato, onion, provolone, and banana peppers over the lettuce; sprinkle with Italian seasoning. Photographer: Stacy K. Allen, Props: Christina Brockman, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf Coarsely chop everything together into small bite-size pieces using a large knife. Drizzle mayonnaise, vinegar and oil on top of the chopped salad; chop until the mayonnaise is evenly distributed. Photographer: Stacy K. Allen, Props: Christina Brockman, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf Using a serrated knife, slice baguette crosswise into 4 equal portions. Slice each portion lengthwise, keeping the halves connected. Spoon 3/4 cup of the chopped salad into each bread portion. Photographer: Stacy K. Allen, Props: Christina Brockman, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf Frequently Asked Questions Are these sandwiches healthy? Unlike regular Italian sandwiches that pile on the capicola, salami, pepperoni and ham, we’ve given this lightened-up version just enough pepperoni and added Italian seasoning to keep that classic flavor. We replace the other meats with leaner deli turkey for protein and load on the veggies—iceberg lettuce, tomato and red onion. And while iceberg lettuce doesn’t get much applause compared to the dark green leafy crowd, it has a nice array of nutrients, including fiber, vitamin A, magnesium and calcium. And since it’s 96% water, it’s a hydrating vegetable, too. The veggies and whole-wheat baguette will add to your daily fiber bottom line. Can I make these sandwiches ahead of time? Yes, but not the entire sandwich. If you were to make these sandwiches the night before, the moist ingredients would make the bread soggy and unappetizing. We suggest doing some of the prep work the day before. All of the ingredients mentioned in Step 1 can be chopped and placed in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Then, the following day, finish up with the recipe, whether you’re enjoying the sandwich right away or packing it for a picnic that takes place a few hours later. What should I serve with Chopped Italian Sandwiches? This sandwich has a lot going on with meat, vegetables and bread, but something crispy would add a nice touch, like potato peel chips or air-fryer french fries. Something cool and refreshing like coleslaw or gazpacho would be ideal as well. If you're packing lunch for a picnic, you could add a fruit-based salad, like our Fresh Fruit Salad, Purple Fruit Salad or Strawberry Fruit Salad. What else can I do with banana pepper rings? In addition to adding these mild banana pepper rings to sandwiches and burgers of all kinds, they’re delicious in antipasto and green salads, tacos and calzones, as well as on top of pizza. Additional reporting by Carrie Myers, M.S. and Linda Frahm EatingWell.com, May 2024 Save Rate Print Nutrition Facts (per serving) 499 Calories 21g Fat 61g Carbs 17g Protein Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label Nutrition Facts Servings Per Recipe 4 Serving Size 1 sandwich Calories 499 % Daily Value * Total Carbohydrate 61g 22% Dietary Fiber 6g 22% Total Sugars 3g Added Sugars 0g 0% Protein 17g 34% Total Fat 21g 27% Saturated Fat 6g 32% Cholesterol 31mg 10% Vitamin A 62µg Vitamin C 9mg 10% Vitamin D 0µg Vitamin E 2mg 10% Folate 130µg Vitamin K 28µg Sodium 864mg 38% Calcium 177mg 14% Iron 2mg 10% Magnesium 76mg 18% Potassium 422mg 9% Zinc 2mg 22% Vitamin B12 0µg Omega 3 0g Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate. * Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.) (-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.