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    Home » Recipes » Main Dishes » Sandwiches & Wraps » Crispy Pancetta Sandwich (PLT)

    January 14, 2023

    Crispy Pancetta Sandwich (PLT)

    5 from 1 vote

    Leave a comment

    Jan 14, 2023

    by Lori Murphy

    Jump to Recipe

    A spinoff of the BLT, the PLT is a crispy pancetta sandwich chock full of crunchy lettuce, fresh tomatoes and crumbled gorgonzola. Built on a base of crispy garlic bread, this pancetta tomato sandwich is one part BLT and one part wedge salad. And best of all? It's a 30 minute meal or late night bite!

    closeup of ciabatta bread with pancetta, tomatoes and lettuce on a board.

    Whoever invented the sandwich deserves all the honors and accolades in the world. Truly, there is nothing like a really good sandwich for lunch, a late night snack or even breakfast (breakfast burritos are like a sandwich). And this crispy pancetta sandwich rivals any because what's better than a mashup of a wedge salad, a classic BLT and crispy garlic bread?

    Maybe some Italian flavor?

    The best BLT sandwich recipe starts with pancetta

    lettuce, ciabatta, gorgonzola, tomatoes and pancetta on a wooden board.

    This PLT (pancetta, lettuce, tomato) sandwich is built with some key ingredients:

    • cheesy garlic bread
    • Dijon dressed shredded Romaine
    • crispy pancetta
    • thick slices of fresh tomato

    What is the difference between pancetta and bacon?

    Typically called "Italian bacon", pancetta also comes from the pork belly but is unsmoked unlike bacon which is smoked.


    How to keep pancetta from curling while cooking

    parchment covered pan with uncooked pancetta
    lay uncooked pancetta on a sheet pan
    uncooked pancetta on parchment covered by sheet pan.
    cover with another sheet pan
    sheet pan of cooked pancetta on parchment.
    perfectly flat and crispy pancetta!
    • Lay a sheet pan with parchment paper
    • Space pieces of pancetta on prepped sheet pan and cover with another piece of parchment paper [left]
    • Cover the parchment paper with another sheet pan of the same size [center].
    • Bake in preheated oven until crispy [right].

    Best bread for a wedge sandwich or BLT

    So many good options but ciabatta is a great choice of bread for a blt especially if you're making it into garlic bread first.

    Other good breads for blt sandwiches are:

    • sourdough
    • Italian bread
    • sliced French loaf

    Step by step instructions

    bread being spread with garlic butter using a wooden spreader.
    Spread mixed garlic paste on bread and bake
    white bowl of shredded salad with tomatoes on a brown board.
    Toss lettuce with dressing
    black plate with half of ciabatta topped with shredded salad and gorgonzola.
    Assemble sandwich
    • Prepare ciabatta garlic bread by slicing the roll in half and spread on mixed garlic paste spread. Toast in the oven until crispy [left].
    • Shred romaine lettuce and toss with olive oil, red wine vinegar and Dijon mustard. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside [center].
    • Layer sandwich in the following order:
      1. garlic bread half
      2. Romaine salad mix
      3. crumbled gorzonzola
      4. crispy, cooked pancetta
      5. thickly sliced tomato
      6. second garlic bread half

    FAQ's

    Do you have to cook pancetta?

    Think of pancetta like you do bacon, which is typically cooked.

    What else can I add to the sandwich?

    Get creative! Avocado would be amazing as would be some caramelized onions.


    Tips for the best PLT sandwich

    • Don't skip the salad dressing step because that adds so much tangy flavor!
    • If you're not a gorgonzola cheese fan, other options are thickly, shredded parmesan, romano or asiago or even some crumbled feta.
    • Go to your favorite farm stand for a beautiful juicy garden tomato.
    • Only assemble as many sandwiches as you need per person. This will keep your pancetta sandwich crispy and fresh!

    Make ahead and storage tips

    open faced pancetta, lettuce, tomato sandwich.

    Make ahead suggestions

    • Toss the romaine salad mix and refrigerate for up to 3 hours.
    • Crisp up the pancetta up to 2 hours ahead and remove to paper towels to drain.

    Storage

    You can wrap leftover sandwiches in parchment paper and then plastic wrap.

    half a pancetta sandwich on a cutting board.
    5 from 1 vote

    Crispy Pancetta Sandwich

    Print RATE PIN
    Like a BLT, this crispy pancetta sandwich is full of crunchy lettuce, fresh tomatoes and crumbled gorgonzola. Built on a base of easy crispy garlic bread, this fresh tomato sandwich is one part BLT and one part wedge salad. And best of all? It's a 30 minute meal or late night bite!
    Prep Time:5 mins
    Cook Time:20 mins
    Total Time:25 mins
    Servings 4
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    Equipment

    • 2 sheet pan
    • parchment paper

    Ingredients
     

    • 4 ciabatta rolls, split in half
    • 2 garden tomatoes, firm and cored

    For the Dijon Romaine Mix

    • 2 cups shredded Romaine lettuce
    • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
    • 2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
    • ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
    • salt and pepper , to taste
    • ¼ cup crumbled gorgonzola
    • 8 slices pancetta, more as desired

    For garlic bread

    • 3 cloves garlic, finely minced; ok to use a garlic press
    • ¼ cup butter, softened
    • ¼ cup parmesan cheese, fresh grated
    • ¼ teaspoon oregano
    • ⅕ teaspoon kosher salt
    • crushed red pepper, optional
    • fresh parsley, optional garnish
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 400°.

    For Romaine Mix

    • Shred romaine lettuce and toss with the olive oil and red wine vinegar. Add ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle in gorgonzola.
      2 cups shredded Romaine lettuce, 2 Tablespoons olive oil, 2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar, ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard, salt and pepper, ¼ cup crumbled gorgonzola

    For pancetta

    • Lay sheet pan with parchment paper. Top with pancetta and another piece of parchment paper and cover with another sheet pan. Place the pancetta in the preheated oven for 20 minutes until crispy.
      8 slices pancetta
    • Carefully remove the top sheet pan (the clean unused one) and place paper towels inside to drain the crispy pancetta on.

    For garlic bread

    • In a small bow, mix the softened butter with the minced garlic until a paste forms. Stir in the parmesan cheese, kosher salt and oregano and red pepper if using.
      3 cloves garlic, ¼ cup butter, ¼ cup parmesan cheese, ¼ teaspoon oregano, ⅕ teaspoon kosher salt, crushed red pepper
    • Lay rolls open faced on a sheet pan and spread with garlic paste. Bake until crispy and toasted while the pancetta is baking.
      4 ciabatta rolls

    Assemble the sandwich

    • Slice tomatoes
      2 garden tomatoes
    • On on ½ of a ciabatta roll layer:
      Romaine mix
      crispy pancetta
      sliced tomatoes
      second half of ciabatta.

    Notes

    Use this easy ciabatta garlic bread recipe as the base for your sandwich.
    Make ahead tips:
    • Crisp up the pancetta up to 2 hours ahead. Leave at room temp or after completely cooled, wrap in paper towel and place in a ziploc bag.
    • Mix up the garlic paste up to 1 week ahead.
    Store leftovers in the fridge wrapped in parchment.
    Course: Appetizer, Sandwiches
    Cuisine: Italian
    Author: Lori Murphy
    Did you make this recipe? Tag @josieandnina or tag #josieandnina!
    Sandwiches & WrapsSpringSummer30 Minute MealsFresh TomatoesPancetta

    More Sandwich & Wrap Recipes

    • Parmesan Crusted Grilled Cheese
    • Make Ahead Breakfast Burritos
    • Pressed Italian Sandwich
    • Juicy and Flavorful Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwich

    Disclosure: Disclaimer: I am an Amazon Associate and/or affiliate for other brands which means I earn some coffee money from qualifying purchases that in no way affects the price you pay

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