How to Make Party Sub Sandwiches (Easy + Make Ahead)

Sandwiches are a staple easy dinner in my house, but when they start to feel boring I make this party sub sandwich, which is easy, delicious, and a crowd-pleaser.

Busy days call for easy dinner recipes, and if it’s portable, all the better. With layers of deli meats, Havarti cheese, fresh veggies, and a flavorful bacon mayo spread, even picky eaters will love this one. Don’t forget to evenly spread the bacon mayo on the bread to make sure every bite is packed with flavor.

A close-up of a sliced Italian-style sub sandwich showing its layered ingredients, topped with an olive on a toothpick, accompanied by potato chips.

Party Sub Sandwich

This sandwich combines savory deli meats, fresh veggies, and a creamy bacon mayo spread, perfect for any casual gathering or picnic.

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 10

Total Time 25

Serving Size sandwiches

Ingredients

½ cup mayonnaise
1 garlic clove minced
4 strips of cooked bacon crumbled
1 loaf French bread
¾ pound sliced deli ham
¾ pound sliced deli turkey
¼ pound sliced salami
¼ pound sliced Havarti cheese about 6 slices
1 large or 2 medium tomatoes thinly sliced
½ small red onion thinly sliced
½ head of iceberg lettuce shredded
½ teaspoon oregano
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper

Instructions

Make spread. In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, minced garlic, and crumbled bacon. Set aside.
Cut bread and spread top with bacon mayo. Using a serrated knife, slice the French bread in half horizontally. Using a spatula, evenly spread the mayonnaise mixture over the top slice of the French bread loaf.
Layer meat and cheese. Using the bottom half of the French bread, start layering the sandwich by placing evenly across the bread the ham, turkey, salami, and cheese.
Add toppings. Next, place the sliced tomatoes over the meat and cheese. Separate the rings of the onion and spread across the desired amount to use. Top the tomatoes and onion with shredded lettuce. Sprinkle the oregano, salt, and pepper over the lettuce.
Assemble and cut. Place the dressed top half of the French bread over the sandwich. Cut the sandwich into 6-8 servings, depending on how thick you want the slices to be. Serve immediately or wrap in plastic and refrigerate for use later the same day. For a nice presentation, you can use sandwich toothpicks pierced with olives placed into individual slices.

Notes

You can double or triple this recipe to serve a larger crowd. Trim one end from two loaves and combine them at the cut sides to make it look continuous.

If you don’t want to take the time to cook bacon, another yummy dressing we like with this sandwich is pesto mayonnaise, which is ½ cup mayonnaise and 2 tablespoons pesto.

This is portable and keeps well for a day. It’s great wrapped it up, placed it in a cooler, and taken it on family outings.

If you like roast beef, substitute roast beef for the salami. If you like more Italian-style meats, substitute the turkey for pepperoni or mortadella.

You can pour a little oil and red wine vinegar over the lettuce once the sandwich is made, which is more of an Italian sub dressing. I don’t typically do that with this type of sandwich because for buffets or gatherings, the sandwich slices may sit for a while or when we take the sub on outings, it will make the lettuce soggy.

If you are feeding young children or other picky people you can put the onions, tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and dressing choices in separate plates or bowls and let individuals add what vegetables and dressings they would like on their sub.

If you are using leftover or precooked bacon, technically there is no cooking time in the recipe.

This sub recipe is my go-to for family picnics and casual gatherings because it’s so easy to make and everyone loves it. My family can be pretty picky (lol can you relate?), but this sandwich hits all the right notes. The combination of meats, cheese, and that amazing bacon mayo spread is always a winner. Plus, it’s perfect for those days when we just want something quick and satisfying.

Several pieces of the Italian-style sub sandwich served on a wooden board with pickles and potato chips in the background.

I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Tips for a Delicious Party Sub

Use Fresh Bread: Choose a fresh loaf of French bread for the best texture and flavor.
Layer Evenly: Distribute meats and cheese evenly for consistent bites.
Chill the Ingredients: Keep the ingredients cold before assembling to maintain the sandwich’s freshness.
Prevent Sogginess: If adding oil and vinegar, do so just before serving to avoid soggy lettuce.
Customize Toppings: Set up a toppings station for picky eaters to customize their sandwiches.

Key Ingredients and Tools

Here are a few key tools and ingredients that will make your sandwich truly stand out:

Ingredients for the Italian-style sub sandwich laid out on a wooden board, including a loaf of French bread, sliced deli meats, Havarti cheese, tomatoes, red onion, shredded lettuce, cooked bacon strips, garlic, mayonnaise, and seasoning.

French Bread. Fresh French bread provides the perfect texture and base for the sandwich. Look for it in the bakery section of your grocery store.
Havarti Cheese. This creamy cheese melts beautifully and adds a rich flavor. If you can’t find Havarti, Swiss cheese is a good substitute.
Bacon Mayo Spread. Combining mayonnaise, garlic, and bacon makes a flavorful spread that elevates the whole sandwich. You can also try pesto mayo for a different twist.
Serrated Knife. A serrated knife is essential for slicing the bread and the assembled sandwich cleanly without squishing it.

These basic ingredients and tools can be found at any grocery store, letting you easily add this into your meal planning and prep.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with potato chips, Grandma’s Macaroni Salad, and fresh fruit.

Troubleshooting and Help

Can I make this sandwich ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble the sandwich and wrap it in plastic wrap to keep it fresh. Just store it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.

What can I use instead of Havarti cheese?

If you can’t find Havarti, Swiss or provolone cheese are great substitutes. They both melt well and taste delicious.

Can I skip the bacon in the mayo spread?

Yes, you can. If you’re short on time or want a different flavor, try mixing mayonnaise with pesto or just plain mayo. Both options are tasty!

How do I keep the lettuce from getting soggy?

To prevent soggy lettuce, add it just before serving, or keep it separate until you’re ready to eat. You can also place a paper towel in the sandwich wrap to absorb any extra moisture.

What if my family doesn’t like one of the meats?

No problem! Feel free to swap out any meat you don’t like. Roast beef, pepperoni, or mortadella are great alternatives. Customize it to your family’s taste.

Storing Leftovers

Refrigeration:

• Wrap the assembled sandwich tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.

• Store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours to keep it fresh.

• For best results, add lettuce and tomatoes just before serving to prevent sogginess.

Freezing:

• This sandwich does not freeze well because the fresh ingredients like lettuce and tomatoes will become soggy and lose their texture.

• If you must freeze it, avoid adding the lettuce, tomatoes, and mayo spread. Wrap the sandwich tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer bag.

• Freeze for up to one month. Thaw in the refrigerator before adding fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and mayo spread.

This Party Sub Sandwich is a great choice for any occasion, from every day lunch and quick dinners to family picnics and casual gatherings. It’s easy, delicious, and totally customizable! I hope you love this sandwich as much as we do.

How to Make Party Sub Sandwiches (Easy + Make Ahead)