Cobb Sandwich

Total Time
Prep/Total Time: 15 min.

Updated on Jun. 10, 2025

This Cobb sandwich packs all the bold flavors of the classic salad into a crusty Italian loaf for a handheld sub that’s perfect for sharing.

This Cobb sandwich takes everything we love about the classic salad and stuffs it into a hollowed-out Italian loaf, turning the classic salad into a bold, handheld meal. It’s salty, crunchy, creamy and satisfying in a way no forkful of lettuce could ever be—and it slices cleanly to create a party-ready sandwich for a crowd.

A Cobb salad is a maximalist’s dream, featuring chopped greens piled high with ham, hard-boiled eggs, crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes and a crumbly blue cheese situation—often Roquefort or Gorgonzola. Vinaigrette brings it all together, whether it’s your favorite store-bought or homemade balsamic vinaigrette.

Cobb Sandwich Ingredients

  • Italian bread
  • Balsamic vinaigrette or dressing of your choice
  • Baby spinach
  • Deli ham
  • Hard-boiled eggs
  • Bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
  • Gorgonzola cheese
  • Cherry tomatoes

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the bread

Cut the bread loaf in half lengthwise. Gently hollow out the top and bottom, leaving a 3/4-inch shell. Discard the removed bread or save it for another use. Brush the vinaigrette over the loaf halves.

Editor’s Tip: Use a serrated knife to cut the bread. Its jagged edges are designed to cut through crusty bread without tearing the soft interior.

Step 2: Layer the fillings

Layer the spinach, ham, eggs, bacon, cheese and cherry tomatoes on the bread bottom. Then, replace the top.

Editor’s Tip: Press the layers down gently with clean hands to help everything stay in place.

Step 3: Portion the sandwich

Cut the loaf in half lengthwise from top to bottom. Then, cut it crosswise five times to make 12 pieces.

How to Store a Cobb Sandwich

Because of the fresh spinach and chopped eggs, this Cobb salad sub is best enjoyed soon after assembling. However, if you end up with leftovers, you can wrap them in storage wrap or store them in an airtight container. Keep the sandwich in the refrigerator for up to two days for the best texture and flavor.

Cobb Sandwich Tips

Can I make this Cobb salad sub into individual sandwiches instead of one big loaf?

Our Cobb salad sub recipe makes one large sandwich for a crowd, but you can easily use sandwich rolls or small ciabatta buns to create a single-serving Cobb sandwich. Divide the ingredients evenly among the rolls, layering them just like the original recipe.

How do I turn this Cobb salad sandwich into a wrap?

To make this Cobb salad sandwich into a wrap, skip the bread and use large flour tortillas or whole wheat wraps. Spread a thin layer of vinaigrette on each wrap, then pile the fillings down the center. Just be sure not to overfill, or the wraps might burst. Then, fold in the sides and roll tightly.

Can I customize a Cobb sandwich with different proteins or veggies?

You can make this Cobb sandwich recipe your own by swapping in turkey or grilled chicken for the ham. You can even use plant-based meat for a vegetarian version. You can also mix up the greens and use romaine or arugula, or add extras like thinly sliced red onion or cucumber for more crunch.

Cobb Sandwich

Prep Time 15 min
Yield 12 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 loaf (1 pound) unsliced Italian bread
  • 1/2 cup balsamic vinaigrette or dressing of your choice
  • 5 ounces fresh baby spinach (about 6 cups)
  • 1-1/2 pounds sliced deli ham
  • 4 hard-boiled large eggs, finely chopped
  • 8 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
  • 1/2 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, chopped

Directions

  1. Cut bread loaf in half lengthwise; hollow out top and bottom, leaving a 3/4-in. shell (discard removed bread or save for another use). Brush vinaigrette over loaf halves. Layer spinach, ham, eggs, bacon, cheese and cherry tomatoes on bread bottom. Replace top. Cut loaf in half lengthwise from top to bottom; cut crosswise 5 times to make 12 pieces.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 233 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 97mg cholesterol, 982mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 18g protein.

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When we need a quick meal to share, we turn Cobb salad into a sandwich masterpiece. Sometimes I substitute tortillas for the bread and make wraps instead. —Kimberly Grusendorf, Medina, Ohio
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