Christmas Leftovers Bread Bowl Sandwich (Muffuletta)

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Christmas leftovers can be a great chance to get creative in the kitchen. A tasty way to use up your holiday extras is by making a Christmas Leftovers Bread Bowl Sandwich. This fun twist on a muffuletta sandwich turns your leftovers into a showstopping meal.

You can stuff this giant sandwich with all your favorite holiday meats, cheeses, and veggies. The bread bowl gets crispy on the outside while staying soft inside. It’s perfect for sharing with family or friends. Plus, it’s easy to make and ready in under an hour. Give this yummy idea a try next time you have holiday leftovers!

Exact Ingredients List

Here’s what you’ll need for this tasty Christmas leftovers sandwich:

  • 1 round or oval bread loaf
  • 300g (10 oz) sliced ham, turkey, and other cooked meats
  • 1 cup chopped antipasto items (olives, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted peppers, artichokes, feta)
  • 4-6 slices of cheese (Swiss works well)
  • 3 big handfuls of baby spinach (about 75g or 2.5 oz)

For the garlic butter:

  • 50g (3 tbsp) melted salted butter
  • 1 minced garlic clove

You can easily adjust these ingredients based on what you have left from your holiday feast. Feel free to swap in different meats, cheeses, or veggies to make it your own.

Remember to preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) before you start assembling your sandwich. This will ensure it’s nice and toasty when you’re ready to bake.

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Mix melted butter with minced garlic in a small bowl.

Cut the top off your bread loaf. Scoop out the inside, leaving about 3/5 inch (1.5 cm) thick walls and bottom. Put the bread on foil on a baking tray.

Brush the inside with garlic butter. Layer ingredients in this order:

  1. Half the spinach
  2. Turkey slices
  3. Chopped antipasto items
  4. Remaining spinach
  5. Ham slices
  6. Cheese slices

Tuck in any loose bits and replace the bread lid. Brush the outside with garlic butter and wrap in foil.

Place a heavy, flat object (like a cast iron skillet) on top. Bake for 20 minutes.

Take off the weight and foil. Bake for 10 more minutes until golden. Slice and enjoy your tasty leftover sandwich!

Possible Substitutes List & Recipe Variations

You can easily change up this sandwich to suit your tastes and leftovers. Here are some ideas:

Bread: Try ciabatta, sourdough, or a large baguette instead of a round loaf.

Meats: Use roast beef, salami, or leftover roasted chicken.

Veggies: Add roasted vegetables, cucumber slices, or pickled onions.

Cheese: Swap in provolone, cheddar, or mozzarella.

Spreads: Try pesto, mustard, or cranberry sauce instead of garlic butter.

You can also make a vegetarian version by using grilled veggies and extra cheese. For a spicy kick, add some jalapeños or hot sauce.

Don’t have a round loaf? Make individual sandwiches using rolls or sliced bread. Just layer the ingredients and wrap each sandwich in foil before baking.

Remember, this recipe is flexible. Use what you have on hand and get creative with your leftovers!

Tips, Tricks & Storing

Make your bread bowl sandwich ahead of time for easy entertaining. Wrap it tightly in foil and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.

Get creative with your fillings! Use any leftover meats, cheeses, and veggies from your holiday feast. Cranberry sauce adds a festive touch.

For extra crunch, brush the inside of the bread with olive oil and toast it in the oven for 5 minutes before adding fillings.

To prevent a soggy bottom, layer cheese slices on the bottom of the bread bowl before adding other ingredients.

Make individual portions by using small round rolls instead of a large loaf. Perfect for picnics or packed lunches.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes until warm and crispy.

Freeze unbaked sandwiches for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking as directed.

For easy slicing, let the baked sandwich rest for 5 minutes before cutting. Use a serrated knife for clean cuts.

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