Baked Italian Sub Tray (Oven Grinder)
🕒 Time
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Prep: 20 minutes
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Bake: 20–25 minutes
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Total: ~45 minutes
🍽 Serves
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4–6 hungry people
🥖 Ingredients
Bread
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3–4 large Italian sub rolls or
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1 large loaf Italian or French bread, split lengthwise
Meats (classic combo)
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8 oz sliced ham
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6 oz sliced salami
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6 oz sliced capicola (or more ham if preferred)
Cheese
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8 oz provolone cheese, sliced
(Mozzarella works too, but provolone is more authentic)
Veggie & Pepper Mix
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½ cup banana pepper rings
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½ cup giardiniera (Italian pickled vegetable mix), chopped
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½ small red onion, thinly sliced
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½ cup shredded lettuce (optional — add after baking for crunch)
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Dill pickle spears (for serving, like in the photo)
Italian Oil Dressing
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⅓ cup olive oil
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3 tbsp red wine vinegar
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1 tsp dried oregano
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½ tsp garlic powder
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½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
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Salt & black pepper to taste
🔥 Instructions
1. Prep the Bread
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Preheat oven to 375°F / 190°C.
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Slice bread lengthwise (don’t cut all the way through if you want it hinged).
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Place bread in a large baking dish or sheet pan.
2. Build the Subs
Layer directly onto the bread in this order:
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Provolone cheese (bottom layer = melty base)
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Ham
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Salami
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Capicola
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Red onion slices
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Banana peppers
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Giardiniera
👉 Don’t be shy — pile it high. This is not a dainty sandwich.
3. Make & Pour the Dressing
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Whisk olive oil, vinegar, oregano, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
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Spoon generously over the entire tray — let it drip into the bread.
This is where the magic flavor comes from.
4. Bake
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Cover loosely with foil.
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Bake for 15 minutes until cheese is melted and meat is hot.
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Remove foil and bake another 5–10 minutes until edges are golden and crisp.
Optional: Broil for 1–2 minutes for extra crunch (watch closely).
5. Finish & Serve
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Add shredded lettuce after baking if you want fresh crunch.
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Sprinkle with extra oregano and cracked black pepper.
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Slice into individual subs.
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Serve with pickle spears on the side (very important).
🔥 Pro Tips
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Want it extra juicy? Add 2 tbsp banana pepper brine to the dressing.
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Want crispy bread? Brush inside of bread lightly with olive oil before assembling.
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Feeding a crowd? Assemble ahead, cover, and bake right before serving.
🔁 Variations
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Hot version: add sautéed peppers & onions
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Spicy: use hot giardiniera + chili oil
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Chicken Italian: swap deli meats for rotisserie chicken
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Low-carb: bake everything over portobello caps or zucchini planks
