Tag: sandwich

Stromboli Sandwich

The meat sauce in this stromboli sandwich is absolutely fantastic. It will be my go-to meat sauce from this day forward. I’ll use it for everything from lasagna, to spaghetti, and of course, more stromboli sandwiches. Nice and thick, but not too thick, it is packed with Italian-inspired flavors. Man, oh man, am I ever having flashbacks to the last stromboli I made with it. I just could not get enough! Each and every bite was oooooooh so very good!

Stromboli Sandwich

The Perfect Sauce

Next time I make a batch of the sauce, I’ll probably quadruple it and store the leftovers in the freezer. A quick defrost, some cooked pasta, and I have a great main dish done in no time. You can also make this meatless and you’ll have the perfect sausage for grilled sausage sandwiches or serve it up with warmed meatballs over pasta or on French bread for a meatball sandwich.

I highly recommend that you shred or grate your own cheese at home. Don’t buy the pre-shredded or pre-grated stuff. It has stuff added to it to keep it from sticking together. That ‘stuff’ affects how the cheese melts. Shred it yourself and use the good stuff.

Geedel Rotary Cheese Grater, Kitchen Mandoline Vegetable Slicer with 3 Interchangeable Blades, Easy to Clean Rotary Grater Slicer for Fruit, Vegetables, Nuts
Geedel Rotary Cheese Grater, Kitchen Mandoline Vegetable Slicer with 3 Interchangeable Blades, Easy to Clean Rotary Grater Slicer for Fruit, Vegetables, Nuts

Also try my stromboli and easy sausage stromboli recipes.

Stromboli Sandwich
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Stromboli Sandwich

The meat sauce in this stromboli sandwich is absolutely fantastic. It will be my go-to meat sauce from this day forward, for everything from lasagna, to spaghetti, and of course, more stromboli sandwiches.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword stromboli
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 351kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 F.
  • In a large skillet, crumble the beef and brown along with the onion. Drain any excess fat.
  • Add the mushrooms and bell pepper and cook for 3-5 minutes or until they are just starting to get soft.
  • Add the tomato sauce, tomato soup, garlic powder, dried oregano, chili powder, tomato paste and black pepper.
  • Stir and reduce heat to a simmer and simmer for at least 10 minutes, the longer the more the flavors will meld. If the sauce gets too thick add a bit of water.
  • Cut bread in half lengthwise and scoop out as much of the bread as you can.
  • Transfer bread to a sheet of aluminum foil.
  • Fill insides with the meat mixture.
  • Top with cheese and cover in foil.
  • Place on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes until the cheese is melted.

Notes

Serve with lots of napkins.

Nutrition

Calories: 351kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 257mg | Potassium: 845mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 871IU | Vitamin C: 32mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)
Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)

Giardiniera Meatball Sandwich

Maybe it’s because I don’t get out enough, but I’d never heard of putting Giardiniera on a meatball sandwich before. Whomever came up with the idea should be knighted (if we knighted folks in the US). Add a bit of roasted red bell pepper and you have a super-easy-to-make incredibly yummy sandwich. Perfect any time, but also great because I almost always have the ingredients to make Giardiniera meatball sandwiches on hand.

Giardiniera Meatball Sandwich

You Can Make Them Hot, Too!

I used mild Giardiniera when making these meatball sandwiches, but hot would be fantastic too. Just chop it up a bit before spooning it on top.

I did ‘cheat’ and use frozen meatballs. If I’d had more time to throw dinner together, I would’ve made a batch of my Italian meatballs. I try to keep some on hand at all times, but truth is, they are just so good that there’s just never any leftovers.

Mezzetta Roasted Red Bell Peppers, 16 Ounce
Mezzetta Roasted Red Bell Peppers, 16 Ounce

For a different twist, substitute my okra giardiniera for the ‘normal’ stuff.

Giardiniera Meatball Sandwich
Print Pin
4 from 1 vote

Giardiniera Meatball Sandwich

Maybe it’s because I don’t get out enough, but I’d never heard of putting Giardiniera on a meatball sandwich before. Whomever came up with the idea should be knighted.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword meatballs, sandwich
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 2 servings
Calories 936kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 loaf French bread sliced horizontally
  • 12 meatballs cooked, warmed (if using frozen store-bought, bake per package instructions first)
  • 4 slices Provolone cheese
  • Giardiniera chopped
  • 1 roasted red bell pepper sliced thin

Instructions

  • Hollow out as much of the bread as you can to make room for the meatballs and toppings.
  • Place on a sheet pan under the broiler for a minute or two until the bread starts to get crunchy.
  • Add cheese and meatballs.
  • Place under the broiler for another minute or two until the cheese melts.
  • Add Giardiniera and bell pepper strips.
  • Slice into two 6″ sandwiches and serve.

Notes

Swiss cheese is also great!

Nutrition

Calories: 936kcal | Carbohydrates: 114g | Protein: 48g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 87mg | Sodium: 1659mg | Potassium: 577mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 436IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 395mg | Iron: 8mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)
Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)

Loaded Italian Sausage Sandwiches

These loaded Italian sausage sandwiches have become somewhat of a tradition in our house around New Year’s and the Super Bowl. I make a nice big batch of them and let them slow cook either on the stove or in a slow cooker, ready to eat at any time. Perfect eats for watching football games, specially college bowl games. Spicy sausage with a flavorful tomato sauce loaded with peppers, onions, and mushrooms. All topped (of course) with ooey-gooey cheese.

Loaded Italian Sausage Sandwiches

My Superbowl Go-To Sandwich

I’m not sure I’ve ever made my loaded Italian sausage sandwiches exactly the same way each year. Sometimes I go the spicy route, sometimes I use sweet sausages. Sometimes I add more bell peppers, sometimes I just add more mushrooms. It just kind of depends on how I feel that day. If you don’t mind spicy, add more red pepper flake and a good amount of hot sauce.

I highly recommend that you shred or grate your own cheese at home. Don’t buy the pre-shredded or pre-grated stuff. It has stuff added to it to keep it from sticking together. That ‘stuff’ affects how the cheese melts. Shred it yourself and use the good stuff.

Geedel Rotary Cheese Grater, Kitchen Mandoline Vegetable Slicer with 3 Interchangeable Blades, Easy to Clean Rotary Grater Slicer for Fruit, Vegetables, Nuts
Geedel Rotary Cheese Grater, Kitchen Mandoline Vegetable Slicer with 3 Interchangeable Blades, Easy to Clean Rotary Grater Slicer for Fruit, Vegetables, Nuts

Also try my other version of Italian sausage sandwiches, all fantastic: my class version and the deluxe version.

Italian Sausage Sandwiches Version 3.0
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Loaded Italian Sausage Sandwiches

These loaded Italian sausage sandwiches have become somewhat of a tradition in our house around New Year’s and the Superbowl. I make a nice big batch of them and let them slow cook either on the stove or in a slow cooker, ready to eat at any time.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword Italian, sandwich, sausage
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 6 hours 45 minutes
Servings 10 sandwiches
Calories 540kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place the pizza and tomato sauces into a large pot over medium heat.
  • In a large Dutch oven, heat a splash or two of oil over medium-high heat.
  • Working in batches, add the sausages, browning on all sides.
  • Transfer browned sausages to the pot of sauce.
  • Add more oil to the Dutch oven and add all of the vegetables.
  • Saute until just starting to get soft, then transfer to the pot of sauce along with the sausages.
  • Season with salt and pepper, Italian seasoning and red pepper flake.
  • Cover, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5-6 hours, stirring occasionally.
  • Slice the bread in half. I prefer to do this by cutting a ‘V’ down the top of the bread, making a trench for the sausages and sauce. I find that the bread doesn’t split so easily this way. I also remove some of the bread inside just to make more room for the great toppings.
  • Cut bread into lengths a tad shorter than the sausages.
  • Add meat and top with sauce and a little bit of the vegetables.
  • Top with cheese and place on a sheet pan under the oven broiler just long enough to melt the cheese.

Notes

Serve with plenty of napkins nearby!

Nutrition

Calories: 540kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 103mg | Sodium: 1752mg | Potassium: 1099mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 2158IU | Vitamin C: 106mg | Calcium: 183mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Lodge ASAHH41 Silicone Assist Handle Holder, Red
Lodge ASAHH41 Silicone Assist Handle Holder, Red

Italian Hoagie

My wife and I recently returned from the Pittsburgh, PA area. My wife was there for a conference, and I was there for food. Right down the street from our hotel was Pizza Bella. They made the most amazingly good Italian hoagie that as soon as we returned home I had to make hoagies. And here it is in all of its glory. Great meats, cheese, and fresh toppings, all with a fantastic dressing.

Italian Hoagie

Oh, What A Hoagie!

I hope I never have to decide between which is my favorite: hoagies or muffulettas. They are both fantastic sandwiches, both with a lot of Italian influence in the ingredients. One thing is for sure, though. The next time we are in the Pittsburgh area we’ll swing by Pizza Bella and grab more hoagies.

Lucy's Family Owned - Natural Distilled White Vinegar, 1 Gallon (128 oz) - 5% Acidity (White Vinegar, 1 Gallon (128 fl oz.))
Lucy’s Family Owned – Natural Distilled White Vinegar, 1 Gallon (128 oz) – 5% Acidity (White Vinegar, 1 Gallon (128 fl oz.))

Also try my other version of hoagie dressing and my Italian grinders. And my Philly style Italian hoagies are great too!

Italian Hoagie
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Italian Hoagie

Here it is in all of its glory. Great meats, cheese, and fresh toppings, all with a fantastic dressing.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword Italian, sandwich
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 1525kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

For the hoagie

  • 4 Hoagie rolls 12" long
  • ½ pound deli ham thinly sliced
  • ½ pound capicola thinly sliced
  • ½ pound Genoa salami thinly sliced
  • ½ pound Provolone cheese
  • Hoagie dressing from below
  • 4 cups iceberg lettuce shredded
  • 2 tomatoes sliced thin
  • 1 medium white onion sliced thin (soak in cold water first if desired)
  • Hot peppers or sweet

For the hoagie dressing (makes enough for 4 or more hoagies)

Instructions

For the hoagie

  • Preheat oven to 350 F.
  • Slice bread rolls horizontally. Do not cut all the way through.
  • Brush insides of bread with dressing.
  • Add meats and cheese.
  • Wrap in foil and place in oven for 12 minutes or until hot and the bread is a little crunchy.
  • Remove from foil. Add remaining ingredients, plus a little more of the dressing.
  • Serve.

For the hoagie dressing

  • Whisk together all ingredients.

Notes

The dressing is great on any sandwich, sub or hoagie!

Nutrition

Calories: 1525kcal | Carbohydrates: 153g | Protein: 77g | Fat: 69g | Saturated Fat: 25g | Cholesterol: 170mg | Sodium: 5005mg | Potassium: 762mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 34g | Vitamin A: 1434IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 515mg | Iron: 46mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)
Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)

Slow Cooker Chopped Corned Beef Reuben

I’m a sliced-corned beef Reuben kind of guy. Or I was. We recently ate at a little restaurant where a Reuben was on the menu. I’m a big fan of Reuben sandwiches, and I think they are a good test of the quality of the food a restaurant turns out. Tough corned beef? I’m not coming back. Well, to my surprise the Reuben at the restaurant had chopped corned beef mixed in with kraut. Slow cooker chopped corned beef Reuben??? I thought…. hmmmm… I’m not sure about this… but I took a bite and loved it! So I went home and made a big batch for the week’s lunches!

Slow Cooker Chopped Corned Beef Reuben

It’s Not Fancy But Oh Is It Ever Good

There’s nothing fancy about this slow cooker chopped corned beef Reuben. It’s your standard fare. Slow-cooked corned beef, tender, and then chopped. Mixed in with well-rinsed and drained kraut. Easy dressing, cheese, and rye. Done. Eat! For a fantastic twist, my spicy slow cooker corned beef really kicks up a Reuben sandwich. My sous vide version is also fantastic.

Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel (SCV700-S-BR)
Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel (SCV700-S-BR)

Also try my southern Reuben sandwich and my slow cooker shredded Mexican beef. And my slow cooker Guinness corned beef is amazing also!

Slow Cooker Chopped Corned Beef Reuben
Print Pin
3.67 from 3 votes

Slow Cooker Chopped Corned Beef Reuben

There’s nothing fancy about this Reuben. It’s your standard fare. Slow-cooked corned beef, tender, and then chopped. Mixed in with well-rinsed and drained kraut. Easy dressing, cheese, and rye. Done.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword corned beef, crockpot, sandwich, slow cooker
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 hours
Total Time 12 hours 15 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 556kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place kraut in slow cooker.
  • Add corned beef brisket and the spice packet that came with it.
  • Add lid and cook on low for 12 until the corned beef is about to fall apart.
  • Remove the corned beef and chop. Yes, you can slice it if you prefer. Return the beef to the slow cooker and stir to combine.
  • At this point you can add the Thousand Island to the slow cooker and stir, if you desire, or simply slather it onto the bread slices.
  • Spoon kraut and beef mixture onto the bread. Note: I like to transfer the mixture to a strainer first. I press down on it lightly to remove as much moisture as I can. This prevents me from having a soggy (bleh!) Reuben.
  • Add cheese to sandwich and serve.

Notes

Also great served on thick rye bread.

Nutrition

Calories: 556kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 85mg | Sodium: 2742mg | Potassium: 684mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 227IU | Vitamin C: 47mg | Calcium: 217mg | Iron: 5mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners, Regular (Fits 3-8 Quarts), 6 Count
Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners, Regular (Fits 3-8 Quarts), 6 Count

Copycat Schlotsky’s The Original

My wife and I were driving to Nashville, TN, when we passed a sign on the interstate for a Schlotsky’s. I instantly flashed back to the days when we had a Schlotsky’s near where I worked in Indianapolis. It was my favorite lunch spot. I so loved their bread. Sadly, it was early in the morning so the Schlotsky’s was closed. At that moment I went on a journey to recreate my favorite sandwich, Schlotsky’s The Original. This copycat is a fantastic copycat of the classic great sandwich, from the bread to the meats to the garlic dressing.

Copycat Schlotsky's The Original

You’ll Be Rewarded In The End

It may look like it takes a lot of work and ingredients to make a copycat of the Schlotsky’s The Original, but it’s actually quite simple and the end result will more than reward your efforts. The key is the sourdough bread, which comes out light, airy, and full of air bubbles. It holds up perfectly to the ingredients, including my favorite, the garlic mayonnaise. I made a big squeeze bottle of the dressing and also find myself using it on burgers and wraps.

I almost always use Blue Plate mayonnaise in the dishes I make. I think it is the best around. If you can’t find it locally you can pick it up online for a fair price.

Blue Plate Real Mayonnaise, Homestyle Mayo For Chicken Salad to Deviled Eggs, 30 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
Blue Plate Real Mayonnaise, Homestyle Mayo For Chicken Salad to Deviled Eggs, 30 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)

Also try my copycat Denny’s Club Sandwich.

Copycat Schlotsky's The Original
Print Pin
5 from 2 votes

Copycat Schlotsky’s The Original

This copycat is a fantastic copycat of the classic great sandwich, from the bread to the meats to the garlic dressing.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword copycat, sandwich
Prep Time 12 hours
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 12 hours 30 minutes
Servings 8 slices
Calories 519kcal
Author Based on a recipe from Texas Cookin’

Equipment

Ingredients

For the sourdough bread starter

For the bread

For the creamy garlic dressing

For the sandwich

  • Parmesan cheese grated
  • 1 cup Mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • 8 Cotto salami thin slices
  • 8 Genoa salami thin slices
  • 8 ham sandwich meat thin slices
  • prepared yellow mustard
  • red onion sliced thin
  • tomatoes sliced thin
  • lettuce shredded or chopped
  • black olives sliced

Instructions

For the sourdough bread starter

  • Add the water to a medium bowl.
  • Stir in the yeast and sugar and let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
  • Stir in the flour.
  • Cover loosely and place in a warm place 8-12 hours.

For the bread

  • Add the warmed milk to a large bowl. Stir in the starter.
  • Stir in the sugar, salt and baking soda until the dry ingredients are dissolved.
  • Add the flour 1/2 cup at a time, stirring to combine until smooth. The dough will end up sticky and thick.
  • Spray two 8″ (or three 6″) pie pans with non-stick spray.
  • Sprinkle the bottoms of the pans with the corn meal.
  • Divide the dough between the pans. Just plop into the centers of the pans. Don’t worry about it being pretty, it’ll spread out as it rises.
  • Lightly spray the tops of the dough with non-stick spray.
  • Loosely cover the pans and let rise for 1 hour in a warm spot. I recommend covering the dough with something that won’t stick to it, such as upside down pie pans.
  • After the dough has risen, preheat your oven to 375 F.
  • Spray the tops of the dough again with non-stick spray and bake for 20 minutes until golden brown. Remove to racks to cool.

For the creamy garlic dressing

  • Whisk together all ingredients. Store in a squirt bottle for easy dispensing.

For the sandwich

  • Cut the bread in half, horizontally.
  • Squirt the bread with the garlic dressing and yellow mustard.
  • Add the remaining sandwich ingredients.
  • Slice into quarters and serve.

Notes

I like to have my cheese melted a bit, so I wrap the assembled sandwiches in foil and insert them into a preheated 350 F oven for 5-10 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 519kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 894mg | Potassium: 155mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 379IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 213mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbooks Boxed Set: The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook, The Unofficial Disney Parks EPCOT Cookbook, The Unofficial ... Cookbook (Unofficial Cookbook Gift Series)
The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbooks Boxed Set: The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook, The Unofficial Disney Parks EPCOT Cookbook, The Unofficial … Cookbook (Unofficial Cookbook Gift Series)

Bacon Weave BLTs

It was a beautiful spring day here. That had me wishing it was summer and fresh tomatoes were available. I couldn’t wait any longer. I had to make a few BLTs, even if the tomatoes weren’t perfect. Sometimes, you have to do what you have to do. But to make up for the tomatoes I decided to make a simple bacon weave. Bacon Weave BLTs are elevated BLTs. Other BLTs are jealous of them.

Bacon Weave BLTs

The Bacon Bite Guarantee

I made these bacon weave BLTs two days in a row. I will never make them any other way again at least as far as the bacon goes. Making a weave out of the bacon is not only easy, the bacon stays together better. No chunks flying off when you take a bite. And the best part? You’re guaranteed bacon in every single bite. You can’t beat that.

I almost always use Blue Plate mayonnaise in the dishes I make. I think it is the best around. If you can’t find it locally you can pick it up online for a fair price.

Blue Plate Real Mayonnaise, Homestyle Mayo For Chicken Salad to Deviled Eggs, 30 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
Blue Plate Real Mayonnaise, Homestyle Mayo For Chicken Salad to Deviled Eggs, 30 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)

Want all the flavor of a BLT in an appetizer? Try my chipotle BLT bites. Or go for the gusto and make a pretzel bacon cheese sandwich!

Bacon Weave BLTs
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Bacon Weave BLTs

I will never make BLTs any other way again at least as far as the bacon goes. Making a weave out of the bacon is not only easy, the bacon stays together better. 
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword bacon, sandwich, tomato
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 1 sandwich
Calories 534kcal
Author Based on a recipe from Chin Deep

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 385 F.
  • Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
  • Cut the bacon in half.
  • Make a bacon weave. If you’re unsure exactly how to do this, click this link to see the original post (with great step-by-step pictures) on Chin Deep.
  • Lay out 3 halves of the bacon in a square. Make sure the pieces are together tightly.
  • Lift up and fold back the ends of every other one on one side of the baking sheet. Place a bacon slice perpendicular (vertically) to the horizontal rows of bacon, directly on top of the bacon strips that you did not fold back. Unfold the folded bacon to cover the strip that you just placed on the baking sheet.
  • Lift up and fold back the ends of the horizontal bacon strips that are now under the vertical bacon strip to the side of the baking sheet. Place a bacon slice right next to the first vertical bacon strip, directly on top of the bacon strips that you did not fold back. Unfold the folded bacon to cover the strip that you just placed on the baking sheet. Repeat the process of alternating the vertical and horizontal bacon strips till you reach the other end of the horizontal bacon strips.
  • Bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes until crispy. Carefully remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
  • Slather bread with mayonnaise.
  • Add bacon weave, lettuce, and tomato and salt and pepper to taste and serve.

Notes

You have to make these at least once for the  ‘wow’ factor.

Nutrition

Calories: 534kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 821mg | Potassium: 386mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 565IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 90mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)
Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)

Copycat Steak ‘n Shake Frisco Melts

What makes a great patty melt? Well, melted cheese, of course. And a tangy sauce. A perfectly seasoned and cooked patty. Well-toasted thick slices of bread. But the most important thing is they have to be messy. Very, very messy. I want stuff dripping out. All over the plate, all over my shirt. Into my lap. Onto the table. You get the point. Messy. That’s a great patty melt, and that’s what these copycat Steak ‘n Shake Frisco melts are: great.

Copycat Steak n Shake Frisco Melts

Turn It Into A Frisco Melt Dip!

I go the extra mile to get these copycat Steak ‘n Shake Frisco melts even messier. I make a little extra sauce and put it into some small sauce bowls and dip my sandwich in it. Yep, Frisco Melt Dip. Perfect. No point in being halfway messy. Take it to the messy extreme!

There’s nothing fancy going in here. Just great flavor. I’m pretty sure that Cuisinart designed my Griddler just for these sandwiches. Sure, I could’ve gotten out a skillet and toasted these little beauties. But I appear to be challenged at flipping sandwiches in a skillet. It’s the sides that throw me off. The Griddler is just that, a griddle. Wide-open flat spaces. Plenty of room for me to flip and flip well!

Cuisinart Panini Press, Stainless Steel Griddler, Sandwich Maker & More, 5-IN-1, GR-4NP1
Cuisinart Panini Press, Stainless Steel Griddler, Sandwich Maker & More, 5-IN-1, GR-4NP1

Also try my copycat of Applebee’s classic Patty Melt.

Copycat Steak 'n Shake Frisco Melts
Print Pin
4 from 1 vote

Copycat Steak ‘n Shake Frisco Melts

What makes a great patty melt? Well, melted cheese, of course. And a tangy sauce. But the most important thing is they have to be messy. 
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword burgers, copycat, sandwich
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 4 servings
Calories 980kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

For the Frisco Sauce

For the melts

  • ½ tablespoon canola oil
  • ½ large sweet onion sliced thin
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 8 slices American cheese
  • 4 slices Swiss cheese
  • 8 slices sourdough bread I used Italian bread
  • 1-2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened

Instructions

For the Frisco Sauce

  • Combine the ingredients and refrigerate until ready to use.

For the melts

  • Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  • Add the onion and caramelize, cooking for about 20 minutes, stirring often. The onions should turn a nice golden brown. Remove from the pan.
  • Divide the beef into 4 equally-sized patties. Cook them as desired in a skillet or on the grill.
  • Add 1 slice of Swiss cheese and 2 slices of American cheese to each patty and let melt.
  • Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread. Place in a large skillet over medium heat and cook until the butter has melted and the bread is golden crispy.
  • Make sandwiches by spreading Frisco sauce on the unbuttered sides of the bread. Add the patties and onions and top with another piece of bread. Serve.

Notes

Try to flatten your patties out so they cover the bread as much as possible.

Nutrition

Calories: 980kcal | Carbohydrates: 80g | Protein: 47g | Fat: 52g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 148mg | Sodium: 1573mg | Potassium: 600mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 661IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 662mg | Iron: 7mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbooks Boxed Set: The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook, The Unofficial Disney Parks EPCOT Cookbook, The Unofficial ... Cookbook (Unofficial Cookbook Gift Series)
The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbooks Boxed Set: The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook, The Unofficial Disney Parks EPCOT Cookbook, The Unofficial … Cookbook (Unofficial Cookbook Gift Series)

Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich

I often do ‘theme weeks’ when it comes to dinners, and sometimes lunches. A recent theme was Buffalo chicken. I love the flavor of traditional Buffalo chicken wings, so I figured I’d make a large batch of chicken breasts flavored the same way. I cooked the Buffalo chicken on my Char-Broil Big Easy, but any Buffalo chicken will do. After it was cooked, I shredded the meat, added a bit more wing sauce, and got to making a week’s worth of great Buffalo chicken-flavored dishes, like this Buffalo chicken grilled cheese sandwich.

Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Carrot And Celery. In A Sandwich?

Every great thing about Buffalo chicken is in this grilled cheese sandwich, from the sides of carrots and celery, to blue cheese crumbles. They cook up oooey gooey, and have that great Buffalo chicken kick. I could eat these sandwiches all day long. You can make the chicken mixture ahead of time. Then you only the time it takes to assemble and toss in a hot skillet. Lunch in just minutes!

I’m pretty sure that the Cuisinart Griddler was made specifically for making this sandwich and others like it. You can use a skillet instead, sure. But for easiness, you can’t beat the Griddler!

Cuisinart Panini Press, Stainless Steel Griddler, Sandwich Maker & More, 5-IN-1, GR-4NP1
Cuisinart Panini Press, Stainless Steel Griddler, Sandwich Maker & More, 5-IN-1, GR-4NP1

These sandwiches are great along with my Buffalo chicken soup.

Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich
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4 from 1 vote

Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Every great thing about Buffalo chicken is in this grilled cheese sandwich, from the sides of carrots and celery, to blue cheese crumbles. They cook up oooey gooey, and have that great Buffalo chicken kick.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword Buffalo, chicken, grilled cheese, sandwich
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 2
Calories 511kcal
Author Based on a recipe from Closet Cooking

Equipment

Ingredients

  • ½ cup Buffalo chicken warmed. I used our slow cooker version
  • 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons carrot grated
  • 2 tablespoons celery sliced
  • 2 tablespoons green onion sliced
  • 2 tablespoons blue cheese crumbled
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • 4 slices bread
  • 1-2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened

Instructions

  • Gently combine the chicken, mayo, carrot, celery, onion, and cheeses in a medium bowl.
  • Butter one side of each slice of bread.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Lay 2 pieces of bread down into the skillet, butter side down.
  • Divide chicken mixture between the two slices of bread.
  • Top with remaining bread, butter side up.
  • Cook until bread turns golden brown and crispy.
  • Gently flip sandwiches and cook until bread turns golden brown and crispy and cheese has melted.
  • Let cool slightly before slicing.

Notes

I also like to make these sandwiches using thick Texas toast!

Nutrition

Calories: 511kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 83mg | Sodium: 2642mg | Potassium: 264mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 3402IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 536mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

OXO Good Grips Electric Grill and Panini Press Brush, Black
OXO Good Grips Electric Grill and Panini Press Brush, Black

Stuffed Deli Sandwich

I absolutely loved this stuffed deli sandwich. It’s a great way to make a big ole sandwich with little trouble. Sure, there’s meats and cheeses and pickle, but the star for me was the simple mix of cabbage and Thousand Island dressing. I was a big fan of the crunchiness of the cabbage. So much so that I used the same combination in a lunch wrap the next day.

Stuffed Deli Sandwich

My Go-To Sandwich For Road Trips

The stuffed loaf really needs to ‘get happy’ in the fridge overnight. If you’re looking for a way to feed a crowd, this is a great way to do it. Just make a bunch of them, toss them in the fridge, then slice and serve the next day.

This is one of my ‘go-to’ dishes any time we travel to the beach. I can make it the night before. In the morning I just slice it, re-wrap it, and toss it into the cooler. It gets better the longer it sets, so it’s perfect for that long day by the water.

Mt. Olive Hamburger Dill Chips Pickles, 16 oz
Mt. Olive Hamburger Dill Chips Pickles, 16 oz

If you want really, really kick up this stuffed deli sandwich, use my 18000 Island dressing. It brings the heat. Or for something more traditional, use my deli spread.

Also try my fantastic hot grinder sandwich.

Stuffed Deli Sandwich
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5 from 1 vote

Stuffed Deli Sandwich

I absolutely loved this stuffed deli sandwich. It’s a great way to make a big ole sandwich with little trouble. Sure, there’s meats and cheeses, but the star for me was the simple mix of cabbage and Thousand Island dressing. I was a big fan of the crunchiness of the cabbage. So much so that I used the same combination in a lunch wrap the next day.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword sandwich, stuffed
Prep Time 12 hours
Total Time 12 hours
Servings 6 servings
Calories 644kcal
Author Based on a recipe from Rachael Ray

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 loaf Italian bread
  • 3 cups green cabbage thinly sliced or shredded
  • ½ cup Thousand Island dressing divided
  • 4 ounces Swiss cheese sliced
  • 4 ounces rare roast beef sliced
  • 4 ounces turkey breast sliced
  • 4 ounces pastrami sliced
  • 2 large dill pickles sliced

Instructions

  • Cut 1″ off the top of the bread creating a lid.
  • Hollow out the loaf, removing all of the bread except for 1/2″.
  • Combine the cabbage and 1/4 cup of the dressing.
  • Spread the remaining dressing on the inside of the bread loaf and the lid.
  • Layer inside of loaf with the cheese and meats.
  • Spoon in the cabbage mixture and top with pickles.
  • Add the lid and wrap the loaf tightly in foil.
  • Refrigerate for 12 hours before slicing and serving.

Notes

You can substitute your favorite sandwich meats and cheese.

Nutrition

Calories: 644kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 53mg | Sodium: 1410mg | Potassium: 443mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 321IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 243mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)
Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)