The Big Whip

Some evenings, trying to figure out what to make for dinner that will feed Teenage boys (who seemingly have hollow legs to fill at dinnertime!), is often a daunting task.

Sometimes we have sports events to run to, sometimes it’s Civil Air Patrol meetings or events. Whatever happens, here is a meal that will feed 4-6 hearty appetites in less than 15 minutes time.

I call it, The Big Whip.- it’s a monster sandwich that you can whip together with whatever odds and ends you have in the fridge.

Here is the general run-down of what you need and how to make it:

1 large loaf of Italian Bread, halved lengthwise

• 5-8 Slices Provolone Cheese
• 5-8 Slices Genoa Salami
• 5-8 Slices Swiss Cheese
• 5-8 Slices Deli Ham
• 6-8 Bacon Slices, (cooked!)

Additional Cold Ingredients:

• 1 small onion, sliced
• 2 Roma tomatoes, sliced
• a few leaves of lettuce
• pickle slices
• Mayonnaise

Preheat the oven to 400F

Slice the Italian Bread in half lengthwise and place on a large cookie sheet.

Add layers of meat and cheese, as desired. Place in the oven to toast (approximately 5 minutes) & melt the cheeses.

In the meantime line some lettuce up (the length of your italian bread) on a cutting board , add layers of sliced tomatoes and onions.

Once Cheese is melted and meats are hot, Remove from oven, add mayo if desired,

Carefully add the nice row of veggies you have prepared:

Fold over the top and VOILA! Instant Mega Meal. . . .

Cut into 4 or 6 pieces, depending on the size of the appetite.

This is the kind of meal that is great when company shows up unexpectedly, or on Game Day. It really fills you up and doesn’t cost an armload to prepare.

💸 Budget101® Price Breakdown: The Big Whip Sandwich

Here’s exactly what you’ll spend at Walmart to build this sandwich — specific quantities, real prices, no guessing.

📅 Walmart prices last verified June 19, 2026. Prices may vary by location and are subject to change.

Under two dollars a head to feed six people a loaded deli-style sandwich. A comparable sub at a deli counter runs $8–12 per person — you’re saving roughly $40–$60 on this one meal alone.

🛒 Walmart Grocery List: The Big Whip Sandwich

Everything below is available for pickup or delivery at Walmart. The deli items (ham, salami, provolone) are counter-sliced — ask for ½ lb of each.

• 🍞 Freshness Guaranteed Italian Bread Loaf, 14 oz — $1.62
• 🧀 Prima Della Non Smoked Provolone Cheese, deli-sliced (ask for ½ lb / 5 slices) — $3.49 avg pkg
• 🧀 Great Value Swiss Thinly Sliced Cheese, 8 oz / 21 slices — $1.67
• 🍖 Prima Della Black Forest Ham, deli-sliced (ask for ½ lb / 5 slices) — $3.99 avg pkg
• 🥩 Prima Della Hard Salami, deli-sliced (ask for ½ lb / 5 slices) — $4.13 avg pkg
• 🥓 Great Value Naturally Hickory Smoked Sliced Bacon, 12 oz — $3.94 (optional)
• 🍅 Roma Tomatoes (2) — ~$1.00 (produce section)
• 🥬 Lettuce Head (romaine or iceberg) — ~$1.48 (produce section)
• 🧅 Yellow Onion (1 small — you’ll only use ¼ of it) — ~$0.68 (produce section)
• 🥒 Great Value Kosher Sliced Dill Pickles, 16 fl oz — ~$1.98
• 🥄 Great Value Mayonnaise, 30 fl oz — $3.14

You’ll have leftover cheese, bacon, pickles, and mayo after making this — which means the second time you make the Big Whip, your grocery run gets even shorter. If you want to see exactly what any recipe costs you down to the penny, the recipe cost calculator makes it easy to figure out your true per-serving price on anything you cook at home.

This party sandwich is Kid tested, Mother Approved.

Tried this recipe? Mention @Budget101com or tag #Budget101

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🖨️ Print-Friendly Big Whip Recipe

The Big Whip Sandwich

Budget101.com by Melissa 'Liss' Burnell

A monster loaded Italian sub packed with deli meats and melted cheese that feeds 4–6 hearty appetites in under 15 minutes. Hot meats and cheese on toasted Italian bread, topped with cool crisp veggies straight from the fridge.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Main Course, Potluck, Sandwiches, Snack

Cuisine American, Mediterranean, Southern American

Servings 6

Calories 626 kcal

Equipment

• ▢
  large baking sheet
• ▢
  Oven
• ▢
  Cutting Board
• ▢
  Knife

Ingredients

  

.5x1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 loaf Italian bread (halved lengthwise)
• ▢ 5 slices provolone cheese
• ▢ 5 slices Swiss cheese ((or American))
• ▢ 5 slices deli ham
• ▢ 5 slices hard salami
• ▢ 6–8 slices bacon (cooked (optional))
• ▢ 2 roma tomatoes (sliced)
• ▢ leaves lettuce (a few)
• ▢ ¼ small onion (thinly sliced)
• ▢ dill pickle slices (to taste)
• ▢ mayonnaise (to taste)

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Place both halves of the Italian bread cut-side up on a large baking sheet.
• Layer the provolone, Swiss cheese, ham, and salami across both halves of the bread. Use as much or as little of each as you like — the point is to pile it on.
• Place in the oven and bake for approximately 5 minutes, until the cheese is fully melted and the meats are heated through.
• While the bread is in the oven, lay your lettuce leaves the full length of a cutting board. Layer the sliced roma tomatoes and onion on top of the lettuce.
• Remove the bread from the oven. Spread mayonnaise on one or both halves if desired.
• Lay the cooked bacon slices across the hot meat and cheese layer if using.
• Carefully transfer the row of lettuce, tomato, and onion onto the sandwich. Tuck in pickle slices.
• Fold the top half of the bread down firmly. Cut into 4–6 pieces depending on appetite size and serve immediately.

Equipment

large baking sheet

Oven

Cutting Board

Knife

Recipe Size Alteration Note

If you altered the ingedients above by doubling or tripling the recipe, you may also need to change the pan/dish size and adjust the cooking/baking time.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 626kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 21gFat: 42gSaturated Fat: 22gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 44mgSodium: 889mgPotassium: 344mgFiber: 3gSugar: 24gVitamin A: 429IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 251mgIron: 2mgNet Carbs: 38g

Tried this recipe?Mention @Budget101com or tag #Budget101com!