21 Hearty Hot Sandwiches That Are Perfect Any Time of the Day

From breakfast sandwiches to dinner-worthy sloppy joes, these sammies are sure to satisfy you.

Emeril's Kicked Up Tuna Melts — Credit:
Jake Sternquist

From tried-and-true classics to newfound delights, there's a hot sandwich recipe for every meal and every palate in our collection. We've got all kinds of breakfast sandwiches, bistro classics, American standards, and new takes like a veggie sandwich that can rival a juicy pulled pork. Some of our hot sammies are open-faced and topped with melted cheese; others are packed into soft rolls or sandwich bread. The options are endless, tempting, and, best of all, easy to make.

01 of 21

Croque Madame Sandwiches

Con Poulos

When you put a fried egg on it, the croque monsieur becomes an even more delicious and satisfying grilled sandwich called the croque madame. Gruyère is one of our favorite cheeses for melting; here, it's combined with deli ham and thin white sandwich bread that toasts up to contrast with the soft egg.

02 of 21

Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches

buffalo chicken sandwiches — Armando Rafael

Less calories and a healthier swap? Yes, please! Panko is the key to these delicious baked chicken sandwiches, and if you want, you can use ranch dressing instead of mayo.

03 of 21

Quick Shrimp Po' Boys

quick shrimp po'boys — Lennart Weibull

This quick-and-easy version of the New Orleans favorite has all the elements you'd expect: crispy fried shrimp, mayonnaise, and a tangy dill relish fill long rolls like hoagies. Shredded lettuce, tomatoes, and hot sauce are essential if you want the po' boy "dressed."

04 of 21

Tuna Melts

Emeril's Kicked Up Tuna Melts — Jake Sternquist

Mayo, spices, and tomatoes make an irresistible topping for an open-face tuna and provolone sandwich. A quick turn makes it light and puffy with a delectable crisp brown shell.

05 of 21

Pressed Sandwich With Prosciutto and Broccoli Rabe

pressed sandwich with prosciutto and broccoli rabe recipe on wooden cutting board — Justin Walker

This is a next-level veggie-packed sammie. A few tweaks to make it all the more irresistible—sautéed broccoli rabe, jarred Peppadews, thinly sliced prosciutto, and fresh basil sandwiched between halves of ciabatta. The final touch? A generous spread with goat cheese and olive tapenade.

06 of 21

Roasted Eggplant Sandwich With Soy-Lime Glaze

eggplant banh mi topped with cilantro — Con Poulos

This hearty vegan sandwich is an ode to the Vietnamese banh mi. Here, the eggplant slices are brushed with a sweet-and-briny glaze, and quick-pickled carrots, radishes, and cucumbers are piled on top.

07 of 21

Barbecue Pulled Mushroom Sandwiches

barbecue pulled mushroom sandwiches — Yuki Sugiura

Our meat-free riff on the pulled pork sandwich is a hearty vegan meal. Maitake mushrooms are grilled until browned, then shredded. A simple, speedy barbecue sauce is mixed in and the filling mounded on brioche buns. A topping of vinegar-spiked slaw brings a crunchy contrast.

08 of 21

Test Kitchen's Favorite Grilled Cheese

hands holding grilled cheese — Sidney Bensimon

What's the secret to our world-beating grilled cheese sandwich? We slather the bread with a combination of butter and mayonnaise. The former imparts rich buttery flavor, while the latter ensures an uber-crisp exterior and perfect golden-brown crust. It's an all-time favorite with kids and adults alike.

09 of 21

Eggplant and Mozzarella Melt

Not to be missed, this oven-fried version of eggplant Parmesan tops crusty Italian bread and makes a tasty hot vegetarian sandwich. For an extra treat, brush the halved loaf of bread with garlic butter and brown under the broiler before adding the layers of tomato sauce, eggplant, and mozzarella.

10 of 21

Meatball Parmigiana Sliders

Meatballs coated in marinara sauce, smothered with cheese, and sandwiched in brioche rolls—you can't ask for better finger food; perfect for a quick nibble in the park!

11 of 21

Sloppy Joes

sloppy joes — Clive Streeter

Use soft sandwich buns for this family-friendly sandwich. The soothing mix of ground beef, tomato sauce, and ketchup simply can't be beat. And be sure to serve with chips and pickles.

12 of 21

Slow Cooker Pulled-Pork Sandwiches With Pickled Red Cabbage

This easy version of pulled pork is made in your slow cooker. Pile the tender meat on crusty rolls with tangy red cabbage slaw.

13 of 21

Pulled BBQ-Chicken Sandwiches

pulled chicken bbq sandwich

Chicken thighs are seared until golden, simmered with beer and an easy homemade BBQ. Then, top your sammie with carrot coleslaw for extra crunch—the perfect way to summon a galore of flavors and textures.

14 of 21

Pizza Sandwiches

Inspired by calzones, these sandwiches are made by folding goat cheese, mozzarella, roasted tomatoes, and soppressata sausage into homemade pizza dough. Tuck a lightly dressed arugula and basil salad into the sandwiches just before serving.

15 of 21

Steak and Onion Sandwiches

Quick-minute steaks and caramelized onions are the heart of this sweet and juicy sammie. Go for toasted country bread or baguette to make it extra crunchy.

16 of 21

Rustic Croque Monsieur

This hearty variation of the croque-monsieur—a ham and Gruyère cheese sandwich cloaked in béchamel sauce—is easy, extra crunchy, and salty. The secret? Parmesan cheese helps give this French sandwich its unique flavor.

17 of 21

Best Turkey Meatloaf

This healthy, leaner take on your favorite comfort sammie has turkey meatballs made with panko breadcrumbs, to add texture, and sage, parsley, and Dijon mustard for the ultimate flavor kick.

18 of 21

BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich

jackfruit pulled pork sandwich — Bryan Gardner

When unripe, jackfruit shreds well and makes a great neutral canvas for other seasonings. Marinated in our homemade BBQ sauce, this recipe is an equal opponent to any pulled pork sandwich—you'll be surprised at how similar the flavor and texture are.

19 of 21

Deli Reuben Sandwich

Spicy brown mustard replaces the usual Russian dressing in this easy version of a classic deli sandwich. Layer corned beef, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese on toasted, buttered rye bread and bake until the cheese melts. Serve hot with pickles on the side.

20 of 21

Turkey, Cheddar, and Green-Apple Sandwich

Sliced roasted turkey is stacked between slices of cheddar, tart apple, and whole-grain bread. While it may not be a typical option, we guarantee you the flavor combo is out of this world!

21 of 21

Monte Cristo Sandwich for Turkey Monte Cristo

A delicious spin that uses leftover turkey and is baked instead of pan-fried. Make sure to use thick slices of white bread, and add a generous dollop of cranberry sauce and grated extra-sharp cheddar for an unforgettable sammie.

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