This traditional New Orleans Muffuletta recipe is a favorite of ours. Layers of meats, cheese and a special olive salad piled high onto sturdy Italian bread.
I can vividly remember my first taste of a traditional New Orleans Muffuletta.  It was at a place called Central Grocery in the French Quarter and I was probably between 12 and 13 years old.  Our Sunday afternoon tradition was to stop at Central Grocery before going home after church so my mother could pick up her olive salad.  This one particular time, she picked up a Muffuletta for us to share at home.
A Muffuletta is a Sicilian sandwich filled with Italian salami, ham and cheese and the key ingredient in a Muffuletta is the olive salad which is the sandwich’s signature trait.
Although Italian, the Muffulatta didn’t originate in Italy.  It is the creation of Sicilian immigrant, Salvatore Lupo who arrived in New Orleans in the early 1900’s and opened Central Grocery.  He developed this sandwich for his customers, many of whom were farmers who would order bread, sliced cold cuts, olives and cheese.  Since they would eat standing, Mr. Lupo decided to put all of those ingredients together in a sandwich to make it easier for his customers to enjoy.
My sister-in-law sent me this recipe for a Muffuletta and I wrote about it over a year ago.  The post, Isabel’s Famous Muffuletta Recipe first appeared in June 2013 on this site.  It was one of my first recipe posts and the pictures aren’t great so I thought I’d make the Muffuletta again and share my updated results and pictures.
A Muffuletta would make a perfect dish to serve at any large gathering or even at a Super Bowl party. Â For my college meal readers, I think a Muffuletta would be a wonderful sandwich to make and since it’s so large, you would be able to enjoy the leftovers for days.
This Muffuletta recipe is certainly a winner and we loved the Muffuletta as much as the first time we tried it.  Every bite was spectacular and the flavors perfect.
Layers of ham, pastrami, salami, pepperoni and provolone cheese are piled high on a loaf of french or italian bread. But the key ingredient, in my opinion, is the olive and carrot spread. Â Green olives and carrots are put in a food processor and finely chopped. Â Then, mix in a little Italian salad dressing, chopped black olives and grated parmesan cheese to pull it all together.
Here’s how to make a Muffuletta…
Combine green olives and carrots in a food processor and finely chop them.
Here’s a tip, make sure you buy pitted green olives.  I wasn’t paying attention and picked up a jar of olives with seeds in them.  Green olives are a key ingredient in this recipe so my wonderful husband painstakingly cut around every seed of every olive.  He’s such a great guy…
Transfer the olive and carrot mixture into a large bowl and stir in 1/2 cup of Italian salad dressing, 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese and crushed black olives.
Slice your loaves of french or Italian bread horizontally and on one half, layer the meats and the provolone.
Spoon the olive/carrot mixture over the cheese.
Place the other half of the bread on top and brush the top of the bread with melted butter.
Wrap the sandwich in aluminum foil and bake it for 50 minutes. The aroma from the Muffuletta baking in the oven will make your mouth water for sure. When you unwrap the warmed Muffuletta, you’ll notice the melted cheese oozing from the middle. Â I just wanted to take a spoon and scoop up all the wonderful melted cheese – but I resisted (only just a little)…
Slice the Muffuletta into wedges and enjoy!
Isabel’s Muffuletta recipe is one that I’ll be using very often. Â I’ve never personally met Isabel, but feel as if I’ve known her forever. Â These Muffulettas are the real deal. Â They’re perfect for tailgating, to bring to a pot-luck or even to serve for dinner. Â Slice them into wedges and you’re good to go.
How To Make A Muffuletta
Ingredients
- 16 oz Jar green olives
- 12 oz Baby carrots
- 1/2 cup Italian salad dressing
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese , grated
- 2 loaves of French (or Italian bread)
- 1/2 pound Ham
- 1/2 pound Pastrami
- 1/4 pound Sliced Pepperoni
- 1/2 pound Provolone
- 4 tablespoons butter , melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Place the green olives and the carrots in a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped. Transfer to a bowl.
- Stir in the salad dressing and parmesan cheese. Set aside.
- Slice the bread horizontally and on one half, layer the meats, then the provolone and finish with the olive salad.
- Place the other half of the bread on top.
- Brush melted butter on top of the bread.
- Wrap the sandwich in aluminum foil and bake about 50 minutes.
- Remove the sandwich from the oven and before unwrapping, gently push down on the sandwich.
- Unwrap, slice and serve.
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I never knew there was a such thing as olive salad. I bought a jar and chopped some black olives as well. I used sweet slider shaped rolls. I think I will add a little mustard to the mix next time.
This sandwich was really good. It was simple to make. I used a long French loaf because I was bringing it to a potluck and made small-portion pieces. I would make this again.
As a home grown Louisiana boy I can tell you it’s the best “sammich” you’ll ever eat. I can hardly eat any other kind! This recipe is spot on for authentic flavor. You can’t go wrong and you won’t be disappointed….
Thanks so much, it's one of my favorite sandwiches. Thinking about it makes me homesick, I hope to get back to NOLA soon.
i haven’t been to NOLA in yeas, but this is taking me back
I’ve never heard of a Muffuletta but this looks absolutely delicious!!!
I am craving this right now! YUM!
So much better than just an Italian sub! That olive salad is to die for!
Yes, the olive salad is the best part. I could eat it all by itself.
I want to eat spoonfuls of that olive salad! So good!
I do too, Lauren 🙂
I’ve never been to New Orleans, but it seems to offer so much food inspiration!
There are so many great places to eat in New Orleans, Megan. The food is amazing!
One of my favorite sandwiches!!! We get one every time we’re in NOLA.
Looks delicious! I’ve never tried this before but I’m putting it on my list of thing to make. My husband is really going to enjoy this.
this recipe looks amazing! I’m dreaming of doing a culinary tour of New Orleans someday but until I can #MakeSomedayHappen I can make these awesome sandwiches at home and keep the dream alive! Thanks for sharing. Cheers!
The food in New Orleans is like no other place I’ve ever visited. I hope you get to visit soon, you’d love it!
I never knew there was a such thing as olive salad. I bought a jar and chopped some black olives as well. I used sweet slider shaped rolls. I think I will add a little mustard to the mix next time.
I am dying to go to New Orleans! In the meantime, I will have to try your Muffuletta – it looks incredible!
I have never had a muffalata! This looks amazing!
You should definitely give it a try, Becky. They are so good!
I have always wanted to make a muffuletta. It looks fantastic!
Thank you so much!
I have never been to Louisiana to indulge in their fine fine cuisine, so for now, I pretend and take adventures by trying awesome recreations and recipes just like this one!! Looks awesome!
Thank you Kita!
What I wouldn’t give to have a section of that beautiful sandwich! That olive and carrot mixture sounds brilliant. And for some reason, I’m in the mood for a picnic now.
Again you have introduced me to something new 🙂 My husband loves olives (and meat) so I will have to share this with him (but leave out the word salad since he has an aversion to any food with the word salad!)
You just can’t beat a really good Muffuletta sandwich. Its perfect game day food!
I’ve definitely got the Muffeletta recipe pinned! I love these and will be making a big one for our Super Bowl yummies. Thank you!
Thank you, Marsha!
Muffuletta where have you been all my life!!! I have never tried one and your pictures of them have convinced me I must try one!
Oh, you must try them soon Amber. So easy to make and the taste is out of this world good!
I love the muffalettas that I get from Jason’s Deli. I will definitely have to try making them on my own!
Although I love Jason’s Deli, I’ve never had a muffuletta there. I might just have to try it next time. Yes, muffulettas are so easy to make and taste so very good.
This is so perfect! I haven’t had a muffuletta sandwich in YEARS but I can practically taste it after seeing your photos. I want to make it now!
Thank you Amanda. It sounds like it’s been way too long, I think you should go ahead and make one 😉
This recipe sounds perfectly authentic!
Thank you Christine, I love recipes with a story behind them.
I love muffuletta sandwiches. Glad to have this recipe and appreciate the history of the this amazing Italian-New Orleans treat. Thanks.
You are most welcome Laura. I hope you get to make it soon 🙂
I vividly remember my first muffuletta too. I was in my 20s and had never tasted anything like it. It was LOVE at first bite. Can’t wait to try this. Looks fantastic!
Thank you Susan. Yes, the flavors are totally unique and I could eat that olive salad by the spoonful.
My Cajun roots are just loving this recipe! 🙂 Sounds like the flavors are spot on – can’t wait to give it a try.
Thanks Kimberly Ann.
Good Golly this looks delicious! My mouth is Watering!!
Thanks Jennifer. It’s so good!
Oh man! I should never have come over here when I was fasting for a doctor’s appointment! EVERYTHING looks so yummy!!!!!!!
Thanks, Jill.
GET IN MY BELLY! Looks delicious…Have a beautiful Monday!
Thank you! 🙂
I love muffalettas but never tried making them at home. However this would be great for both the Superbowl and Mardi Gras!
Muffulettas would be perfect for both the Superbowl and Mardi Gras. It can certainly serve a crowd too. Hope you get to make it, I’m planning to. Have a great week!