Italian Market Roast Pork Sandwich with Sharp Provolone

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty sandwich featuring slow-roasted pork shoulder layered with sharp provolone cheese, sautéed greens, and a tangy hot cherry pepper sauce inspired by South Philadelphia’s Italian Market. This italian-inspired sandwiches & wraps ready in about 200 minutes pairs pork shoulder, garlic cloves, minced, dried oregano for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 180 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 650 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Rub 2 lbs pork shoulder with 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp dried oregano, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Place in a roasting pan and cook uncovered for 3 hours until fork-tender.
  2. Step 2: While pork roasts, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Blanch 1 bunch chopped rapini for 2 minutes until bright green and tender, then drain.
  3. Step 3: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add blanched rapini and 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, sautéing for 4 minutes until slightly crispy and fragrant.
  4. Step 4: In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup sliced hot cherry peppers, 1 tbsp white vinegar, and 1 tbsp water to create a tangy pepper sauce.
  5. Step 5: Once pork is done, shred it with two forks.
  6. Step 6: Slice 4 hoagie rolls horizontally and layer each with a generous portion of shredded pork, 2 slices of sharp provolone cheese, sautéed rapini, and drizzle with the hot cherry pepper sauce. Serve warm.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Italian Market Roast Pork Sandwich with Sharp Provolone take to make?

Total time is about 200 minutes (20 min prep + 180 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Italian Market Roast Pork Sandwich with Sharp Provolone?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Italian Market Roast Pork Sandwich with Sharp Provolone?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Italian Market Roast Pork Sandwich with Sharp Provolone for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Italian Market Roast Pork Sandwich with Sharp Provolone?

Italian sandwiches & wraps like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes