Mac’s Italian Subs with rich provolone, green peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes, and onions, seasoned with salt and pepper on a toasted French baguette.

The first time my husband ever cooked me dinner was while we were “friends”. It is forever embedded in my memory – and not because it was the first meal he ever cooked me. He told me we were having Italian subs. I was so excited because he was totally speaking my love language. A nice marinara with meatballs, cheese, and bread! I was even more in love. That was until I walked into his kitchen to the smell of ground beef, onions, green peppers, mushrooms, provolone and LOTS of black pepper.

What is this? Italian subs? I don’t think so… Where did he grow up thinking an Italian sub had no sauce?? More importantly, was this another difference in opinion I would be able to live with the rest of my life if I married this guy? It reminded me of our first official date when he told me to dress up. So I did – nice black dress, heels, and makeup! Then arrived “dressed up”. He was wearing flip flops, jeans, and a button-down shirt. Umm… this was him dressed up? What? But I moved past his lack of, how do I say it, style. But with food, come on, don’t serve me an Italian sub that resembles nothing Italian, at least to me.

I was quickly converted once I tried my first bite. The melted provolone on top of a bed of green peppers, onions, mushrooms, and perfectly seasoned ground beef. There was no lack of flavor, and I learned that there is more than one way to prepare an Italian sub.

My husband has great childhood memories of visiting Utah with his family and grabbing Italian subs at a place called The Italian Place. That’s where he was strongly influenced in developing his perfected Italian sub. His key ingredient: black pepper. Lots and lots of black pepper. In fact, so much black pepper, you sneeze when you walk into the kitchen.

A 9-year marriage and 5 kids later, he has learned his wife does not love black pepper as he does, nor do his children. So he makes our batch first, and after everyone has been served, he adds even more black pepper to his own serving – more than I would ever like to handle.

We hope that you enjoy this just as much as my husband does but maybe with a little less pepper.
Enjoy XOXO San

How do you make Mac’s Italian Subs?

In a large sauté pan, break apart the ground beef and season with salt and pepper to taste. Once completely cooked, remove from pan and set aside.
Heat olive oil in pan until hot. Cook green peppers and onion for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add mushrooms and cook for another 2-3 minutes, then add tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper to taste and cook until everything is tender.
Add ground beef and let it cook for another minute or two. Remove from heat, season with more salt and pepper to taste, or just more pepper if you are like my husband. Set aside.
Turn the oven to broil, slice French baguette in half, length and crosswise, butter all four pieces and place in oven until the top of the bread is toasted to a light golden brown.
Remove from oven add meat and top with cheese, place back in oven and broil until cheese is melted. Serve immediately.

If you love this recipe, be sure to try this Cheesy Italian Sausage & Pepper Stuffed Bread and Cheesy Pull Apart Italian Subs as well!

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