Easy Italian hoagies are the ultimate crowd-pleasing recipe! Deli meats, cheeses, hot cherry pepper spread, and veggies fill long rolls, and create the most delicious sub. This recipe is inspired by the hoagie sandwiches I grew up eating at hoagie shops in and around Philly!

Italian Hoagie: The Ultimate Submarine Sandwich

Although I now call the Hudson valley home… I’m originally a PHILLY girl! I spent my entire childhood there and lived there well into my 20’s. And while my time living there didn’t turn me into a Philly sports team fanatic… it did turn me into a Philly food fanatic.

Philly has the best tomato pie, meatball subs, sausage and peppers, and of course, Italian hoagies! Between the cities Italian immigrant history – and population – Philadelphia has a vibrant Italian-American food scene. 

Inspired by Famous Hoagie Shops

Philly has so many famous hoagie shops… but Ricci’s hoagies, Jack’s Place, and Lee’s hoagie house are my family’s favorite spots. But honestly, you can even get a fine hoagie at wawa or Primo hoagies. When I lived there, I had no need to have a “recipe” to make my own.

But after moving, I realized there is a true art to making a killer Italian sub. With no hoagie shops anywhere near my new home, I set out on a mission to create the most delicious submarine sandwich ever! Below are my tips and tricks!

What is an Italian Hoagie?

• In the simplest terms, a hoagie is a sandwich made on a long roll.
• Traditionally, workers filled them deli meats, cheeses, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and peppers.
• You can use one variety of deli meat, or you can use a few different ones like I do.
• Some people prefer a dry sub, while others like mayo, olive oil, cherry pepper spread, or vinegar.
• Many people argue a classic sub is best dry or with a little olive oil. But personally I grew up eating them with olive oil, vinegar, and cherry pepper spread. So that’s what I suggest. You can adapt this to suit your taste buds!

Make the BEST Italian Hoagie Sandwiches: Ingredients

• Long Rolls: The best hoagie starts with the best bread! You’ll need to use long rolls for this recipe. If you’re in Philly, grab rolls from Corrpolese hoagie rolls or Amoroso’s rolls. If you’re not, you can order long rolls online or check out your local Italian market/Italian bakery.
• Deli Meats: I use a combination of prosciutto, capicola, genoa salami, and soprassata salami. You can use ham instead of prosciutto if desired. And cut down on the meat portions for thinner subs. I like to ask my grocer to slice the deli meats and cheeses extra thin.
• Cheese: Thinly sliced provolone cheese is a must! I don’t suggest subbing this for another variety of cheese.
• Veggies: Romaine lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and onions. I use red onions, but you can use white or yellow onions.
• Dressing: Red wine vinegar, dried oregano, olive oil, and hot cherry pepper spread. This is the Hot Cherry Pepper Spread I use. You can order it online or look for it at your local grocery store or Italian grocery store.

Hog Island: Hoagie History 

• Growing up in Philly, I heard lots of stories on how and where hoagie sandwiches originated. After some research, I’ve found that the most widely accepted version involves a shipbuilding yard, known as Hog Island.
• During Hog islands prime, it employed over 36,000 people. Many of these people were Italian immigrants. 
• For lunch, the Italian workers often brought long rolls filled with deli meats and cheeses. They also added vegetables like lettuce, tomato, onion, and peppers.
• Obviously these delicious sandwiches attracted attention from co-workers, and they started calling them “the Hog Island sandwich”. Over time, the Hog Island sandwiches earned the nickname of “hoggies”. 

Italian Hoagie Recipe

Ashley Manila

Easy Italian hoagies are the ultimate crowd-pleasing recipe! Deli meats, cheeses, hot cherry pepper spread, and veggies fill long rolls, and create the most delicious sub. This recipe is inspired by the hoagie sandwiches I grew up eating at hoagie shops in and around Philly!

5 from 6 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Course Dinner

Cuisine Italian

Servings 6 servings

Ingredients

 

• 1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar optional
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 Tablespoons Italian olive oil
• 2 long Italian hoagie rolls
• 1/4 lb prosciutto
• 1/4 lb capicola
• 1/4 lb genoa salami
• 1/8 lb hot soprassata salami
• 1/4 lb sharp provolone cheese, thinly sliced
• 1 large juicy ripe tomato thinly sliced
• 1 small onion red or white, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup iceberg or romaine lettuce finely shredded
• 1/4 cup hot cherry pepper hoagie spread

Instructions

 

• Slice the rolls lengthwise, cutting only half way through. Remove the thick, fluffy dough center of the bread and discard it. Set rolls aside.
• In a small bowl whisk together the vinegar and oregano; slowly add in the oil, whisking as you pour to emulsify the mixture.
• Drizzle a small amount of the oil/vinegar mixture on the rolls, then layer the cheese and meats.
• Top with the tomatoes, onions, lettuce, then peppers. Drizzle with additional oil/vinegar, cut in half, and serve!

Notes

If you’re not using the vinegar, simply whisk together the olive oil and oregano. 

Keyword appetizer, Christmas, antipasto, antipasto skewers, Italian appetizers, hoagies,

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