There are two kinds of people in the airport. The ones paying $18 for a sad turkey sandwich in a plastic triangle container…and the ones quietly pulling a really good homemade sandwich out of their carry-on while everyone nearby immediately gets food envy. I very much aspire to be the second person. And I hope you do too 😊
This Italian muffuletta sandwich is hearty without feeling heavy, packed with flavor, and actually travels well, which is the most important part. Because not every sandwich survives a flight or road trip. Some fall apart the second you unwrap them. Others get soggy before you even reach security.
But this one? This one gets better as it sits.
That’s honestly the magic of a muffuletta-style sandwich. The olive mixture, pesto, roasted peppers, charcuterie, and provolone all press together into something that gets more flavorful the longer the ingredients have to meld together.
It’s also incredibly adaptable, which I appreciate because travel snacks should work for you, not the other way around. Want a thicker, deli-style sandwich? Double the fillings. Prefer vegetarian? Skip the meat and load it up with more artichokes, roasted peppers, olives, or even grilled zucchini.
I make this for flights, road trips, beach days, and potlucks constantly. It’s become one of those recipes I can practically assemble on autopilot the night before travel.
Italian Muffuletta Sandwich
Ingredients
- 1 Loaf Ciabatta or Focaccia
- 1/4 cup Pesto
- 1/4 cup Balsamic Vinaigrette or 2 1/2 Tbsp olive oil and 1 1/2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 3 Tbsp Kalamata Olives chopped
- 1 Tbsp Capers
- 1/4 cup Basil rough chopped
- 1/2 cup Artichoke Hearts chopped
- 1/2 cup Roasted Red Peppers chopped
- 6-8 oz Charcuterie like salami, soppressata or prosciutto
- 6 oz Provolone Cheese sliced
Note: double these ingredients if you like your sandwiches extra thick
Instructions
- Slice bread horizontally.
- Spread pesto on the bottom slice, and balsamic vinaigrette on the top.
- Layer the rest of the ingredients in the order listed.
- Put the top layer on top of the bottom. Wrap the entire sandwich in plastic wrap, then put in the refrigerator with something heavy on top of it (like a cast iron pan) to help meld the flavors together. Leave it weighted for at least an hour, though overnight is even better.
- Slice and serve.
Traveling Soon? Use my Favorite Resources for Booking Your Trip!
Book Your Flight
Expedia is my favorite flight search engine, because it checks dozens of airlines so you can easily find the best fare deals. You can also select ‘Watch Prices’ to get an email alert when the prices change.
Book Your Accommodations
I use both Booking.com and Expedia for hotels, because each offers a couple different hotel choices and I like to compare the reviews on each one. If you have a group or are looking for more of a home atmosphere, head over to VRBO or AirBNB that has houses, apartments and even just a room for rent in every price range.
Book Your Rental Car
If love the freedom to explore like I do, driving from place to place is the best option! I always book with RentalCars.com (it’s part of booking.com) for the best prices and top brand options.
Book Some Fun Tours!
Viator and Get Your Guide are my go-to search engines for cool bucket list experiences! Each one can have different tours, so check both—why limit yourself, right?
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel can be unpredictable. Whether it’s a last-minute cancellation, an injury, or (ugh) theft, things happen. That’s why I recommend never leaving the country without travel insurance. Here are my faves: Safety Wing and World Nomads.
Get Packing & Travel Essentials Ready
Check out the Bucket List Journey Amazon Store to find all my favorite travel essentials. Everything from Packing cubes, to travel adapters and toiletry containers to walking shoes.
Flying International?
Get Cell Data Before You Arrive: I recommend using airalo for international travel. Also, book an airport transfer in advance (I use Kiwi Taxi). Lastly, check travel.state.gov for visa requirements and safety information.
Save this Post to Pinterest
