The Perfect Ham And Cheese Hoagie: Cooking Time Revealed

A ham and cheese hoagie is a delicious and easy meal to make. The process is simple: choose your bread, add oil and/or mayo, layer on the cheese, ham, and any other toppings, then cook until the cheese is melted. The type of bread and cheese you use is important, as well as the decision to add oil or mayo. Depending on your preferences, you can cook your hoagie in an oven or on a skillet, and it should be ready in 10-15 minutes.

Choosing the right bread

The bread you choose for your ham and cheese hoagie is important. You need a roll that can withstand the weight of the meat, cheese, and any other toppings you choose to include. It should be wide enough to contain everything without becoming overcrowded. The exterior of the roll can be crusty or chewy, depending on your preference. Chewy bread is a more popular option in shops, as a crusty roll can make the sandwich harder to bite into. If you want to bake your own bread, there are recipes available online for hoagie rolls.

If you are making a traditional hoagie, do not gut the bread. Removing some of the bread from the roll will make it harder for it to hold together once you have added your ingredients. The bread will also be more likely to become soggy.

If you are outside of Philadelphia, South Jersey, and New Orleans, go for a soft Italian, Cuban, Puerto Rican pan de agua, or pan sobao roll. These breads are soft and easy to bite into.

Preparing the bread

The bread you choose for your ham and cheese hoagie is important. You need a roll that can hold up to the weight of the meat, cheese, and veggies without being too hard to bite into. A crusty exterior with a soft interior is ideal. The bread should also be wide enough to contain all your desired fillings.

If you're in Philadelphia, South Jersey, or New Orleans, you're in luck, as these places are known for their hoagie and po-boy rolls. If not, opt for a soft Italian, Cuban, Puerto Rican pan de agua, or pan sobao. Chewy bread is often preferred over crusty, as it allows for a fuller sandwich without the risk of the bread breaking apart.

You can also try baking your own hoagie rolls at home. If you do so, be sure to keep the bread intact—don't gut it, as this will make it harder for the roll to handle all the fillings.

Once you've selected or prepared your bread, it's time to start assembling your sandwich. Cut the loaf in half lengthwise, but leave it attached at one end so it can be butterflied open. If desired, you can drizzle extra virgin olive oil onto the bread, allowing it to absorb the oil before adding other ingredients.

Adding cheese

The type of cheese you use for your hoagie can make or break the sandwich. In the Philadelphia area, it is believed that American cheese is the standard, and you can't go wrong with it. If you are not a fan of American cheese, Provolone, Mueller, and Swiss are also delicious substitutes.

The cheese acts as a barrier between the bread and the other ingredients, preventing the roll from becoming soggy. Therefore, it is important to add enough cheese to cover the bread.

For a hot ham and cheese hoagie, you can use sliced cheese varieties such as Monterey-Jack, or a tub of Philadelphia Garden Vegetable Cream Cheese. The cream cheese will melt over the rest of the fillings, blending the flavours together.

If you are making a cold hoagie, you can add the cheese after drizzling the oil on the bread. For a hot hoagie, you can add the cheese after spreading the sandwich spread on the bread.

Adding meat

The meat is arguably the most important part of a ham and cheese hoagie. The most popular choice is thinly sliced deli ham. This can be boiled or Virginia ham, or a smoked variety for more flavour. You could also add salami or pepperoni for a spicier kick. If you want to go for an Italian-style hoagie, opt for Genoa salami, soppressata, capicola, and pepperoni.

For non-beef eaters, honey-roasted turkey or oven-roasted chicken are great alternatives. Deli turkey pepperoni is usually available in smaller slices, which work well in a hoagie.

When it comes to quantity, it's best to stick to a single layer of meat. This may seem skimpy, but it's important to remember that the meat will be lined down the spine of the loaf, so it will be doubled up. Adding too much meat can be tempting, but it won't taste as good.

Cooking the hoagie

Ingredients

Firstly, you'll need to gather your ingredients. For a ham and cheese hoagie, you'll need:

• Hoagie roll or similar
• Ham (deli ham, boiled ham, Virginia ham, Black Forest ham, Smokehouse ham, or Honey ham)
• Cheese (American cheese, Provolone, Swiss, or Muenster)
• Mayonnaise
• Tomato
• Onion
• Lettuce
• Olive oil
• Red wine vinegar
• Oregano
• Basil
• Salt and pepper
• Optional extras: mustard, pickles, olives, pepperoncini, hoagie spread, cherry peppers, or microgreens

Building the Hoagie

Now, it's time to assemble your hoagie. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Cut the hoagie roll in half lengthwise, but keep it attached at one side so it can be butterflied open.
• Spread mayonnaise on both cut sides of the bread.
• If desired, drizzle olive oil and red wine vinegar on the bread. You can also add dried or fresh oregano and basil for extra flavour.
• Layer your ham slices evenly across the bottom half of the bread.
• Add a layer of cheese slices on top of the ham.
• If desired, add sliced tomatoes, onions, lettuce, and any other desired toppings.
• Sprinkle salt and pepper, and any other desired seasonings, on top of your toppings.
• Gently close the hoagie and cut it in half or into slices.

Cooking Instructions

Once your hoagie is assembled, it's time to cook it. Here are two methods:

Oven-Baked Hoagie:

• Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
• Place the assembled hoagie on a baking sheet.
• Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the sandwich is warm.

Pan-Fried Hoagie:

• Heat a skillet or griddle to a medium-low heat (around 275°F or 135°C).
• Place the assembled hoagie in the skillet and cook for 1 minute on each side.
• Cook for an additional 3-7 minutes, flipping occasionally, until the bread is golden and the cheese is melted.

And that's it! You now have a delicious, hot ham and cheese hoagie to enjoy.

Frequently asked questions