Open-Faced Veggie Italiano

The rich flavors of Italy…creamy, fresh mozzarella cheese, a drizzle of olive oil and fresh basil – what could be better! 

Even though this Italian Sandwich Recipe is a bit higher in fat, half of it comes from extra-virgin olive oil which contains monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs).

According to the Mayo Clinic, MUFAs may help reduce blood clotting, lower total cholesterol and lessen the risks for heart disease.  Runner’s World Magazine says that runners should incorporate unsaturated fats into their diet to: 

1. Lessen hunger
2. Promote heart health
3. Lower chances for injury, and
4. Reduce joint pain

This lip-smacking Italian sandwich recipe is a healthier alternative to those packed with high-sodium, cured meats. 

We have added thick slices of tomato and eliminated half of the starchy carbs by serving open-faced on whole grain rolls. 

And don’t forget the fresh basil – chock full of flavor with zero calories!

Quick, easy and oh, SO satisfying!

Open-Faced Veggie Italiano

Preparation Time: 10 Minutes 
Servings: 4

Ingredients:

2 crusty, whole grain, hoagie rolls
8 (1 oz.) slices fresh mozzarella cheese
2 large tomatoes, cut into 6 slices each
12 fresh basil leaves, chopped
8 tsps extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp coarse ground, black pepper


Ingredients:

Split hoagie rolls lengthwise.  Layer each half with two slices of tomato, two slices of fresh mozzarella cheese, one more slice of tomato, 1/4 of the chopped basil leaves, 2 tsps olive oil, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp sea salt and 1/4 tsp pepper…easy and delizioso!

Nutrition Information per Serving:

 Calories 325, Total Fat – 21 g, Sat. Fat – 8 g, Cholesterol – 40 mg, Sodium – 441 mg, Carbohydrates – 20 g, Fiber – 3 g, Sugar – 5 g, Protein – 15 g

Protein/Fat/Carb Ratio: 18 % / 57 % / 25 %

Photo courtesy of:  natacoustic

See more of this week’s recipe theme on Simple Sandwich Recipes around 500 Calories.