This Focaccia Muffuletta recipe is inspired by the classic New Orleans Muffuletta sandwich that has cured meats, tangy olive spread, and mild cheese, all served on a fresh-baked sesame-crusted loaf. While it's not "traditional", this recipe uses my recipe for Herbed Focaccia as the bread component. Classic Muffuletta uses a round sesame seed loaf. This version still hits all of the same notes and makes a great appetizer or a main course!
This sandwich uses my recipe for Three Olive Tapenade as the olive spread (go check it out at the link below - it's absolutely delicious!), three types of cured meats, and provolone cheese as the filling. What more could you possibly want? This is also a great "make-ahead" dish. Since there isn't a lot of "wet" ingredients, like mayonnaise, or mustard, etc. nothing gets soggy. Pack it in a cooler and take it with you for your next picnic!
Muffuletta Components
Bread
As mentioned above, a traditional Muffuletta sandwich uses an Italian sesame seed loaf (not coincidentally called "Muffuletta"). My version uses my recipe for Herbed Focaccia. It's a very easy and simple recipe that produces super-flavorful bread that is perfect for this. Go check out my recipe for Herbed Focaccia below!
Olive Spread
One other key component of this recipe is the olive spread. I used my recipe for Three Olive Tapenade. This is another easy recipe that can be made ahead of time, too. This uses green olives, black olives, kalamata olives, parsley, capers, garlic, extra light olive oil, parsley, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt and pepper. You can even use this recipe for things other than this sandwich - like a charcuterie spread, or as a dip with crackers and vegetables. It's so bright, fresh and delicious - go check out the post below for this recipe if you want to see more!
Cured Meats
Any combination of cured meats will work for this recipe. I used genoa salami, sweet capocollo, sweet soppressata, and smoked deli ham. Feel free to get creative with any number of combinations.
Cheeses
Provolone is the best cheese to use for this recipe, at least in my opinion. Any deli cheese that is on the more mild side will work great. You could use sliced low-moisture mozzarella, havarti, or even muenster!
Muffuletta Assembly
Assembly is easy - just layer the meat on the bottom half of your focaccia loaf, followed by the cheese, and then topped with the Three Olive Tapenade. After everything is assembled, cut into individual serving sizes. This recipe will yield 12 smaller, handheld/appetizer sized-sandwiches.
Did you make this recipe for Focaccia Muffuletta?
Let me know in the comments below how yours turned out, and don't forget to leave a rating!
Recipe
Focaccia Muffuletta
Ingredients
Bread
- 1 Loaf Herbed Focaccia Sliced in half Lengthwise
Three Olive Tapenade
- 1 Cup Green Olives Casteltrevano, Minced
- ¼ Cup Black Olives Minced
- ¼ Cup Kalamata Olives Minced
- 1 Teaspoon Capers Minced
- 1 Clove Garlic - Grated
- ¼ Cup Olive Oil
- 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
- ¼ Cup Parsley Minced
- Salt & Pepper To Taste
Muffuletta Filling
- Sweet Soppressata 4 oz
- Sweet Capicola 4 oz
- Genoa Salami 4 oz
- Smoked Deli Ham 8 oz
- 14 oz Provolone Sliced (2 - 7 oz. Packages)
- 1 Batch Three Olive Tapenade (See above)
- Salt and Pepper to Taste
Instructions
Three Olive Tapenade
- Add all ingredients to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse several times until you reach your desired consistency. Spoon into a serving bowl.
- If you don't have a food processor, finely mince all ingredients and add to a mixing/serving bowl. Add olive oil and lemon juice. Stir to combine.
Muffuletta Assembly
- Slice Herbed Focaccia loaf in half, lengthwise. Layer cured meats to cover the entire sandwich. Layer provolone cheese on top. Spread a layer of Three Olive Tapenade evenly over the cheese. Finish with the top half of the focaccia. Cut into sandwich sizes of your choosing. This recipe will yield approximately 12 handheld size sandwiches.
Paula says
We made these before going down to the beach and they were so delicious and made no mess. A must try for lunches the next day or just a delicious supper.