Pizza Panini with Dipping Sauces Recipe {a "Mom and Me" Lunch!}

I've been looking forward to autumn for a few weeks now. I love the cooler weather, wearing my jeans and sweaters, the pumpkins, the sounds of football games on TV, and...yes, the food! Today's recipe for a Pizza Panini Sandwich (two ways!) is a perfect warm "comfort food" meal that can be tailored to fit anyone in your family. It makes for a perfect "Mommy and Me" lunch on a cozy autumn weekend afternoon at home. No panini maker needed!

The folks at Oscar Mayer sent me a little package with some new products to try. My challenge was to give their new "old world style" pepperoni and salami a little taste test and share a fun recipe with you all. I can say now that both the pepperoni and salami were a big hit, and even my picky picky husband couldn't wait for me to finish taking the following photos so he could gobble up half of my sandwich!

Since the sauces are the first thing that need to be made, we'll start with that part of the recipe first! My sis was kind enough to lend me her favorite recipe. It took me less than five minutes to make.

Homemade Pizza Sauce (Dipping Sauce)

Ingredients:
-1 (15 oz) can of tomato sauce
-1 (6 oz) can of tomato paste
-1 1/2 tsp. dried, minced garlic
-1 T ground oregano
-1 tsp. ground paprika
-tiny dash of salt (optional)
-dash or two of ground red pepper (you can leave this out of the kids' sauce if you like)

Instructions:
Empty ingredients into a bowl. Stir well. That's it. No, really. That's all!

Spicy Ranch Dressing (Dipping Sauce)

Ingredients:
-1 bottle Ranch dressing
-1 tsp buffalo style hot sauce (I used Franks, and added an extra dash)
-dash of dill weed
-dash of chili powder

Instructions:
Pour desired amount of dressing into a bowl (separate some for the kids, if they don't like spicy). Add other ingredients. Stir well.

****Now for the sandwiches!!****

Mom's Sandwich:

Thick bread (I used a ciabatta style roll)
Pizza Sauce
Spicy Ranch Dressing
Mozzarella Cheese
Oscar Mayer Old World Style Turkey Pepperoni
Oscar Mayer Old World Style Cracker Black Pepper Salami


Kids' Sandwich:

Thick bread (I used a pizza roll for the kiddos. Small, so just the right size for my 6 and 8 year olds.)
Pizza Sauce
Mozzarella Cheese
Oscar Mayer Classic Pepperoni

You can make mom and kids' sandwiches at the same time if you have a "Foreman" grill or a toaster oven...no panini-maker needed! You can see the way I make paninis with our Foreman grill here.

Instructions for sandwiches:

1. Slice bread in half and add a small amount of pizza dipping sauce to each half.
2. Top with mozzarella cheese, and add some spicy ranch dressing to mom's sandwich (leave it off the kids' if you need to).
3. Fold the Oscar Mayer deli meats and arrange on the sandwiches. I used turkey pepperoni and cracked black pepper salami for mine. The kiddo sandwich was made with classic pepperoni.
4. Close sandwiches and add to the preheated Foreman grill or toaster oven. Toast/grill until cheese is melted!

These would also be great open-faced, and you can add things like peppers, olives, or mushrooms to spice things up.

Enjoy your meal while you watch football, listen to the leaves crunching outside, and stay warm in your fuzzy socks and sweats!

Did you know...

• Oscar Mayer brand is great for convenient meals on the go and at home.

•Beginning August 2014, just in time for back-to-school season, you can find Oscar Mayer Old World Style products in the refrigerated-meat section at retail stores nationwide.

 •The Old World Style line of deli meats includes four new varieties, all in sandwich-ready slices: Classic Salami, Cracked Black Pepper Salami, Classic Pepperoni and Turkey Pepperoni.

 •A 4 oz. package of Old World Style pepperoni or salami retails at $3.29 SRP

 •Old World Style pepperoni and salami makes for a great addition to any sandwich, but it’s also an excellent source of protein, with up to 8 grams per serving.

What's your favorite sandwich to make with pepperoni or salami?

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I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.