Italian Chopped Sandwich with Pesto

If you’re craving something vibrant, packed with flavor, and downright fun to eat, then you’re going to adore this Italian Chopped Sandwich with Pesto Recipe. It’s one of those sandwiches that hits all the right notes—fresh veggies, savory meats, creamy pesto mayo, and the perfect crusty ciabatta to hold it all together. Trust me, once you try this, it might just become your new go-to sandwich for lunches or quick dinners.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ultimate Flavor Combo: This mix of Italian meats and fresh veggies layered with pesto mayo is unbeatable and bursting with bold taste.
Quick & Easy Prep: You’ll love how fast this comes together—no cooking required, just chopping and tossing.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a picnic, lunchbox, or casual dinner, this sandwich is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Customizable Ingredients: Easily swap in your favorite Italian meats or add extras to make it truly your own.

A white plate holds a sandwich with three layers: the bottom layer is a light brown crusty bread roll, the middle layer is filled with chopped lettuce, green cucumber slices, pink diced meat, and red tomato pieces, and the top layer is the matching bread roll top dusted with flour. A woman's hand is picking up the sandwich from the right side of the plate. In the foreground, there is a glass of iced dark soda with foam on top, and a few light green sliced peppers scattered on the wooden table. In the background, another sandwich is on a white plate, along with a glass of dark soda and a small white dish of yellowish-green seasoning. The scene is set against a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Italian Chopped Sandwich with Pesto, Italian chopped sandwich, pesto sandwich recipe, Italian cold cut sandwich, easy Italian sandwich ideas

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Italian Chopped Sandwich with Pesto Recipe lies in the balance between fresh, savory, and tangy ingredients. Each component complements the others perfectly, creating a sandwich that’s juicy but not soggy, hearty but still fresh. When shopping, look for quality deli meats and fresh veggies for the best results.

Flat lay of a sliced Roma tomato with bright red flesh and seeds, thinly sliced half of a small red onion showing translucent purple rings, several slices of Black Forest ham with marbled pink and white texture, thin slices of pale yellow provolone cheese, a few slices of reddish Genoa salami with white fat specks, thin slices of deep red hot soppressata pepperoni, a small pile of shredded fresh romaine lettuce with crisp green leaves, a few slices of glossy roasted red peppers, a handful of sliced green peperoncini peppers, a small white ceramic bowl filled with creamy pale mayonnaise, another small white bowl with vibrant green homemade pesto, a third small white bowl containing deep red wine vinegar, a scattering of coarse kosher salt crystals and freshly ground black peppercorns next to a halved toasted 10-inch ciabatta roll showing its airy crumb, all arranged in perfect symmetry with balanced proportions on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Italian Chopped Sandwich with Pesto, Italian chopped sandwich, pesto sandwich recipe, Italian cold cut sandwich, easy Italian sandwich ideas

Roma tomato: Choose firm, ripe tomatoes for a juicy burst without soggy bread.
Red onion: Thinly sliced for a mild, tangy crunch that brightens every bite.
Black Forest or capicola ham: Adds a smoky, savory layer—go for thin slices.
Provolone cheese: A classic Italian cheese that melts beautifully and balances the meats.
Genoa salami: Offers a rich, slightly spicy kick that’s essential to the flavor profile.
Hot soppressata or pepperoni: Adds heat and depth—choose based on your spice tolerance.
Shredded romaine: Provides crisp freshness to contrast the rich meats and cheese.
Roasted red peppers: Bring a sweet, smoky softness that’s irresistible.
Peperoncini: The zingy, pickled peppers add just the right amount of tang.
Mayonnaise: Makes the pesto sauce creamy and luscious.
Pesto: The star herbaceous ingredient—homemade or store-bought both work great.
Red wine vinegar: Adds acidity to balance the richness of mayo and meats.
Onion powder & Italian seasoning: Enhance the Italian flavors and round out the sauce.
Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper: Adjust to taste for perfect seasoning.
Ciabatta rolls: Toasted to crunchy perfection, they hold the chopped mixture without falling apart.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love that this Italian Chopped Sandwich with Pesto Recipe is so flexible—you can tweak it to fit what you have on hand or make it suitable for your taste buds. Play around with different meats, cheeses, or even add some extras like olives or artichoke hearts to make it truly yours.

Vegetarian version: Swap out the meats for grilled vegetables or marinated tofu and use a dairy-free pesto for a delicious meatless twist—I tried this once, and even my meat-loving husband didn’t miss the meats!
Mild version: Skip the hot soppressata and replace with mild capicola if you prefer less heat without losing flavor.
Different breads: While ciabatta is my favorite, I’ve also used crusty baguettes or focaccia for a slightly different texture and taste.
Make it gluten-free: Just swap the ciabatta rolls for gluten-free sandwich rolls, and you’re good to go.

How to Make Italian Chopped Sandwich with Pesto Recipe

Step 1: Chop Everything Into Bite-Sized Goodness

Start by setting up your largest cutting board—it’s going to get busy. Layer in your Roma tomato, red onion, ham, provolone, salami, soppressata, romaine lettuce, roasted red peppers, and peperoncini. Grab a sharp knife and start chopping all ingredients together, tossing as you go. I love this step because it feels so satisfying to turn all those classic Italian sandwich ingredients into a delicious medley of bite-sized flavor bombs. Just keep chopping until nothing is too big to fit comfortably in a sandwich bite.

Step 2: Whip Up the Pesto Mayo Sauce

In a large mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, your pesto (store-bought is great, but homemade pesto is a game changer here), red wine vinegar, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Give it a good stir to bring it all together. Then season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper—taste as you go! This sauce is the glue that holds the sandwich together, giving it creaminess and a herbaceous zing.

Step 3: Toss and Coat Like a Pro

Dump your chopped mixture into the bowl with the pesto mayo and gently toss everything using a spatula or a large spoon. You want every piece lightly coated, but not drenched. When I first tried tossing everything, I made the mistake of over-mixing which sogged up the bread later. A gentle toss is key to keeping texture and flavor balanced.

Step 4: Assemble and Serve

Slice your ciabatta rolls in half and toast them until lightly golden and crunchy. I swear the toasted crust makes a tremendous difference—it adds that perfect crunch to balance the softness of the chopped filling. Spoon the mixture onto the bottom halves, divide it evenly, then top with the other halves. Cut each sandwich in half for easy eating, and you’re all set to dig in!

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Pro Tips for Making Italian Chopped Sandwich with Pesto Recipe

Sharp Knife is Your Best Friend: A really sharp knife helps keep your ingredients neatly chopped and prevents crushing soft veggies like the tomato.
Toast Your Bread Just Right: Don’t skip toasting—warm, crusty ciabatta makes all the difference in texture and holds up beautifully against the saucy filling.
Adjust Pesto Mayo to Taste: Blend in extra pesto or vinegar depending on how herbal or tangy you want your sauce.
Mix Gently to Preserve Crunch: Toss just enough to coat ingredients with sauce without turning everything mushy, especially the lettuce.

How to Serve Italian Chopped Sandwich with Pesto Recipe

A long sandwich sits on a wooden board with a side of creamy green sauce in a small clear glass. The sandwich is made with a light brown, crusty roll that is split open to show many layers inside: green lettuce pieces, small chunks of red onion, slices of pink meat, pieces of red tomato, pale yellow cheese chunks, and bits of celery mixed with a light creamy dressing. Some salad bits have fallen outside the sandwich. The background shows a white marbled texture surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Italian Chopped Sandwich with Pesto, Italian chopped sandwich, pesto sandwich recipe, Italian cold cut sandwich, easy Italian sandwich ideas

Garnishes

I like to add a few fresh basil leaves or a sprinkle of shaved Parmesan on top when serving—adds a beautiful fresh aroma and extra cheesy touch that my family always raves about.

Side Dishes

Pair this sandwich with a crisp green salad or some crunchy kettle-cooked chips. Lately, I’ve also enjoyed it alongside a simple cup of minestrone soup—it’s like a little Italian deli experience at your table.

Creative Ways to Present

For gatherings, I’ve tried serving the chopped filling in a big bowl with toasted ciabatta slices on the side, letting everyone build their own sandwiches. It’s casual, interactive, and a fun way to showcase all the wonderful textures and flavors.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers—which rarely happen!—store the chopped filling in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Keep the ciabatta rolls separate to avoid sogginess.

Freezing

I don’t recommend freezing the assembled sandwich because the bread texture changes, but you can freeze leftover chopped filling in a sealed container for up to 1 month. Just thaw overnight in the fridge and stir before serving.

Reheating

Because this sandwich is designed to be enjoyed fresh and cold, reheating is not needed. If you want a warm toast, reheat the bread separately and add fresh chopped filling afterward for best texture.

FAQs

Can I make the pesto from scratch for this Italian Chopped Sandwich with Pesto Recipe?

Absolutely! Homemade pesto made with fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan, and olive oil tastes incredible and really elevates this sandwich. However, if you’re short on time, a store-bought pesto works just fine. I’ve done both and loved the sandwich either way.
What kinds of bread work best for this recipe?

Ciabatta rolls are ideal because they have a crispy crust and a chewy interior that holds up well against the saucy filling. But you can experiment with baguette, focaccia, or even sturdy sandwich rolls depending on your preference.
Is this sandwich suitable for meal prep lunches?

Yes, but I recommend storing the chopped filling separately from the bread and assembling them just before eating. This keeps the bread from getting soggy and preserves all the fresh flavors and textures.
Can I customize this recipe for dietary restrictions?

Definitely! You can make it vegetarian by leaving out the meats and adding grilled veggies or plant-based proteins. For gluten-free, swap the ciabatta for gluten-free bread. Just be sure your pesto and other ingredients meet your dietary needs.

Final Thoughts

This Italian Chopped Sandwich with Pesto Recipe has quickly become one of my favorite easy meals to pull together when I want something fresh, flavorful, and impressive without much fuss. I love how every bite feels like a perfectly balanced Italian deli experience, and I’m confident you’ll enjoy it just as much. Next time you want a sandwich that’s more than just bread and fillings, give this a try—you’ll be glad you did.

Italian Chopped Sandwich with Pesto Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

Variations

How to Make Italian Chopped Sandwich with Pesto Recipe