Italian Focaccia Sandwich

Name: Italian Focaccia Sandwich with Burrata
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 loaf (14.5 oz) roasted tomato & parmesan focaccia bread; 1 bag (7 oz) organic arugula; 1 jar (6.7 oz) basil pesto sauce; 1 container (8 oz) garlic spread; 1 package (6 oz) Italian deli meat trio (salami, prosciutto, capocollo); 1 package (6 oz) sliced rosemary ham; 1 container (14.5 oz) bruschetta sauce; 1 bottle (8.45 fl oz) balsamic glaze; 1 jar (6.7 oz) Calabrian chili paste; 1 container (8 oz) burrata cheese; 2 tbsp olive oil; freshly cracked black pepper, to taste; salt, to taste; Aglio Olio seasoning blend, to taste; truffle oil, for drizzling; 1 pint heirloom tomatoes, sliced

This Italian focaccia sandwich combines roasted tomato and parmesan bread with layers of salami, prosciutto, capocollo, rosemary ham, creamy burrata, and bold spreads like pesto and Calabrian chili paste. Every ingredient sources from Trader Joe's, making it an impressive yet convenient weeknight or entertaining option.

🌍Italian-American 🏷️Italian sandwich 🏷️Focaccia 🏷️Prosciutto 🏷️Salami Burrata

🏷️

🏷️Pesto

-0:00

4grills4girlsonTikTok

Total

15 min

Servings

2

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$29–$48

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by 4grills4girls

-0:00

4grills4girlsonTikTok

Ingredients

1 loaf (14.5 oz) roasted tomato & parmesan focaccia bread
1 bag (7 oz) organic arugula
1 jar (6.7 oz) basil pesto sauce
1 container (8 oz) garlic spread
1 package (6 oz) Italian deli meat trio (salami, prosciutto, capocollo)
1 package (6 oz) sliced rosemary ham
1 container (14.5 oz) bruschetta sauce
1 bottle (8.45 fl oz) balsamic glaze
1 jar (6.7 oz) Calabrian chili paste
1 container (8 oz) burrata cheese
2 tbsp olive oil
freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
salt, to taste
Aglio Olio seasoning blend, to tasteoptional
truffle oil, for drizzlingoptional
1 pint heirloom tomatoes, slicedoptional

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Instructions

1
Slice the loaf of focaccia bread in half horizontally.
2
Drizzle olive oil on both cut sides of the bread.
3
Spread a thick layer of basil pesto on the top half of the bread.
4
On the bottom half, spread the Calabrian chili paste, followed by a layer of the garlic spread.
5
Spoon the bruschetta sauce over the pesto on the top half.
6
Season with freshly cracked black pepper, salt, and the optional Aglio Olio seasoning.
7
Layer the deli meats on top of the bruschetta sauce: capocollo, salami, prosciutto, and finally the rosemary ham.
8
Rip open the burrata and spread the creamy cheese evenly over the meats.
9
Drizzle with a bit more olive oil (or optional truffle oil) and then the balsamic glaze.
10
Finish with a generous layer of arugula.
11
Place the top half of the focaccia on, press down gently, and slice into desired portions to serve.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Warm the focaccia lightly (30 seconds in a toaster oven or 10 seconds per side in a dry skillet) to soften the crumb and help spreads distribute evenly without tearing the bread.
Layer spreads first, then deli meats, then burrata last—this prevents the cheese from sliding and keeps it visible and creamy at the bite.
Let burrata sit at room temperature for 5 minutes before serving; cold burrata won't show its signature creamy center and will lack flavor impact.
Use the balsamic glaze as a finishing drizzle on top of the assembled sandwich, not as a spread layer, to avoid overwhelming delicate flavors.

Substitutions

Roasted tomato & parmesan focaccia → rosemary focaccia or ciabatta (note: changes the tomato-forward flavor profile)
Burrata → fresh mozzarella or stracciatella (note: less creamy, firmer texture)
Calabrian chili paste → hot honey or sriracha mayo (note: different heat and acid balance)
Basil pesto → arugula pesto or sun-dried tomato spread (note: shifts herbaceousness)

Storage & make-ahead

Store leftovers wrapped in parchment at room temperature for up to 4 hours, or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 day (bread will soften). Reheat unassembled components separately; do not microwave assembled sandwich.

Common Questions

Can I assemble this sandwich ahead of time?

Assemble no more than 2–3 hours ahead to prevent the bread from becoming soggy. Keep it wrapped in parchment at room temperature. For longer storage, layer ingredients separately and assemble just before serving.

What's the best way to slice the focaccia?

Use a serrated bread knife and cut horizontally through the middle with a gentle sawing motion. A steady hand and slight angling prevents crushing the airy crumb.

Can I substitute the burrata?

Yes. Fresh mozzarella, stracciatella, or ricotta work well. Burrata's creamy center is ideal, but these alternatives maintain the soft, luxe layer the sandwich needs.

Is this sandwich vegetarian-friendly?

Not as written—it contains three deli meats and prosciutto. Omit all cured meats and double the arugula, burrata, and spreads for a vegetarian version.

How do I prevent the Calabrian chili paste from overpowering the sandwich?

Use a thin, even layer—about 1 teaspoon spread across the inside of each bread half. Its heat and vinegar notes are potent; less is more unless you love intense heat.