Roast Beef Sandwich with Romesco and Arugula

This Roast Beef Sandwich with Romesco and Arugula combines tender roast beef, smoky Romesco sauce, sharp white cheddar, and a peppery arugula salad tossed in Calabrian chili oil and lemon, all served on your favorite crusty bread. A quick and easy lunch recipe that's full of bold, fresh flavors.

Jump to:

• Ingredients Needed to Make this Roast Beef Sandwich with Romesco and Arugula
• How to Make This Roast Beef Sandwich with Romesco and Arugula
• Tips and Variations for the Perfect Roast Beef Sandwich
• Serving Suggestions for Roast Beef Sandwich with Romesco and Arugula
• Storing and Making Ahead: Can You Prepare This Sandwich in Advance?
• Essential Tools for Making this Roast Beef Sandwich with Romesco
• Explore More Tasty Sandwich Recipes!
• Roast Beef Sandwich with Romesco and Arugula

Ingredients Needed to Make this Roast Beef Sandwich with Romesco and Arugula

• Bread: I love making this sandwich with a sliced baguette, but it’s also lovely with sourdough, ciabatta, or your favorite sliced bread.
• Romesco Sauce: Smoky and flavorful, this sauce ties all the elements together. This is my favorite 5-Minute Romesco Sauce or you can use storebought.
• Cheese: I prefer sharp white cheddar for this sandwich, but you can also use another sharp cheese like Gouda or Havarti, or a soft and creamy cheese like burrata, goat cheese, or brie. You'll also use a bit of Parmigiano Reggiano in the arugula salad for extra flavor.
• Arugula: Fresh, peppery arugula forms the base of the salad, adding a bright bite.
• Calabrian Chili Oil: A drizzle adds a subtle kick of heat to the salad. Adjust based on your spice preference.
• Lemon Juice and Zest: Provides brightness and acidity to balance the richness of the other ingredients.
• Flaky Sea Salt: Enhances the flavors of the salad and sandwich components.

How to Make This Roast Beef Sandwich with Romesco and Arugula

1. Prepare the arugula salad: In a small bowl, toss the arugula with a drizzle of Calabrian chili oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. Set to the side.
2. Slice the bread: If using a baguette, quarter it and slice it in half lengthwise. For sourdough or ciabatta, slice to your preferred size. Toast lightly if desired.
3. Spread Romesco sauce: Generously spread Romesco sauce on both sides of the bread to create a flavorful base for the sandwich.
4. Layer with cheese: Add sharp white cheddar slices to the bottom half of the bread.
5. Add the roast beef: Layer thin slices of roast beef on top of the cheese.
6. Top with arugula salad: Add the prepared arugula salad to the top half of the baguette.
7. Close and serve: Place the top half of the bread on the sandwich, slice, and serve immediately.

Tips and Variations for the Perfect Roast Beef Sandwich

• Bread options: While a baguette works beautifully for its crunchy texture and ability to hold up to the Romesco sauce, you can also experiment with other bread types. Sourdough offers a slightly tangy flavor that complements the richness of the roast beef, while ciabatta brings a chewy, rustic quality. For a softer sandwich, use your favorite sliced bread, like whole wheat or rye. If you're a fan of grilling, try pressing the sandwich panini-style for extra crunch.
• Toast the bread: Optionally, lightly toasting the bread adds a bit of crunch and helps prevent it from becoming soggy when you add the Romesco sauce.
• Cheese variations: While sharp white cheddar is a great choice, you can also use Gouda, Havarti, or Muenster for a mild, creamy option. If you prefer softer cheeses, try burrata, fresh sliced mozzarella, goat cheese, or brie.
• Adjust the spice level: If you don’t want a spicy kick, feel free to reduce the amount of Calabrian chili oil in the arugula salad or replace it with regular olive oil for a milder flavor.
• Make it heartier: Add extra toppings like olive tapenade, caramelized onions, tomato, or avocado slices for more flavor and texture.

Serving Suggestions for Roast Beef Sandwich with Romesco and Arugula

• Pair with a fresh salad: A simple mixed greens salad with a light vinaigrette or an additional portion of the arugula salad with Calabrian chili and lemon keeps the meal light and balanced. Adding seasonal vegetables like cucumbers or tomatoes enhances the freshness.
• Serve with chips or fries: For a classic salty pairing, serve the sandwich alongside your favorite potato chips or crispy fries.
• Warm it up with soup: A bowl of tomato basil soup, French lentil soup, French onion soup, or even a creamy butternut squash soup is a great way to turn this sandwich into a cozy meal, especially during cooler months.
• Make it a picnic: Pack this sandwich for a picnic and pair it with pickles, olive tapenade, and a variety of cheeses for an easy, shareable meal.

Storing and Making Ahead: Can You Prepare This Sandwich in Advance?

This Roast Beef Sandwich with Romesco and Arugula is best enjoyed fresh, but you can make some components ahead of time to streamline the process.

• Make ahead tips: The Romesco sauce can be prepared up to a few days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge. However, the arugula salad should be made just before serving to maintain its freshness and prevent wilting.
• Storing leftovers: If you have leftover sandwiches, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap to avoid sogginess. They can be stored in the fridge for up to one day, but the bread may soften. For the best texture, consume it soon after assembling.

Essential Tools for Making this Roast Beef Sandwich with Romesco

• Serrated bread knife
• Cutting board
• A spoon or butter knife (for spreading romesco)
• A medium bowl (for making the salad)
• 2 forks (for tossing the salad)
• A kitchen scale (or measuring cups for less precise measurements)
• Measuring spoons

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Explore More Tasty Sandwich Recipes!

Love this recipe for a Roast Beef Sandwich with Romesco and Arugula? Here are some more tasty and easy sandwich recipes to try:

• Italian Deli Sandwich
• French Tuna Sandwich (Pan Bagnat)
• Thai-Inspired Grilled PBJ Sandwich
• Taleggio Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Red Pepper Flakes and Honey
• Crab Club Sandwich

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