Ham and Manchego Sandwich. A recipe for a quick, flavorful gourmet sandwich that’s built with ham, roasted red pepper and caramelized onion. Topped with Manchego cheese and toasted, you’ve got a unique sandwich full of flavor.
I call it “The Spaniard” even though the only thing Spanish about the final version of this sandwich is the Manchego Cheese. If you’re looking for new ham and cheese sandwich ideas, this is a really flavorful option.
Let’s take a look.
I’ve made this Ham and Manchego sandwich many times. It’s a unique sandwich that I fell in love with at a deli and decided to make it at home soon after.
I’ve even prepared and toasted this sandwich then hauled it on picnics and bird watching trips – it’s just that adored. Warm or cold, we love this combo.
What is Manchego Cheese?
Manchego cheese is from the La Mancha region of Spain and made from the milk of the Manchega Sheep. It’s a semi-hard cheese recognized by it’s trademark herringbone rind, which is not edible. It has somewhat of a sweet and nutty flavor and its buttery in texture.
It’s a clever cheese to place on an appetizer cheese board when served along side Membrillo.
Membrillo is a popular paste made from quince. It’s sweet, it looks impressive and it’s sweet flavor is a beautiful regional compliment to Manchego Cheese.
How to make this ham and manchego sandwich.
- 1 pound Black Forest Ham (will make 2 – 3 sandwiches, depending on how high you pile that ham)
- One medium onion, sliced and caramelized
- Two roasted red bell peppers
- 2 thick slices Manchego Cheese
You can also use Jamon Serrano Ham, which is a dry cured Spanish ham
- Starting with the ham, layer ingredients on one slice of bread that’s been slathered with mayo.
- Add roasted red bell pepper and with the Manchego Cheese ending up on top.
- Place the two sandwich halves on a baking sheet and broil until cheese is bubbly and just starting to brown.
- Remove from oven, top with caramelized onions and remaining slice of bread, press down a bit on the top to press everything together and dig in.
The sandwich filling ingredients will make 2-3 sandwiches, depending on how high you pile things up.
Serve this sandwich with potato chips, potato salad, pasta salad or a tossed salad.
I like to serve a lot of simple garden salads with my meals. Makes me feel healthy.
If you’re looking to become a salad expert, you don’t want to miss my post for 9 Secrets To A Remarkable Tossed Salad. Some good tips from Culinary School in this one.
Recipe for Toasted Ham and Manchego Sandwich
The ingredients and the flavors they create in this sandwich are made for each other. Salty ham, sweet and creamy cheese, smoky roasted bell peppers and savory caramelized onion.
The pumpernickel bread add just enough pizzaz to bring it all together.
I hope you give this Spanish Ham and Manchego Sandwich a try. And if you do, please come back and give the recipe a star rating. And leave a comment about your experience with the sandwich.
And if you have a favorite sandwich recipe using Manchego cheese, let me know, I’d love to give it a try.
Ham and Manchego Sandwich
Ingredients
- 1 onion sliced and caramelized
- 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
- 4 slices Pumpernickel Bread
- Mayonnaise
- 2 whole roasted red bell peppers
- 1 pound ounces sliced ham from deli or left over ham roast. Black Forest Ham works well here.
- 4 slices Manchego Cheese
Instructions
- Slice onion. Heat a non-stick fry pan over medium high heat. When pan is hot, add olive oil. When olive oil is shimmering, turn down heat to medium low and add sliced onion.
- Cook, stirring often for 20 – 30 minutes until onions are nicely browned.
- To build sandwich. Heat oven on broil setting. On two slices of bread, spread mayo. Place ham, onions, and one red bell pepper per sandwich. Add sliced cheese. Place under broiler for just a few seconds until cheese is melting and just starting to brown.
- Place the other two slices of bread on top. Slice in half and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Ham and Manchego Sandwich …It’s What’s For Dinner.
Why Trust These Recipes? Lea Ann Brown has lived, worked and played in Colorado for 45 years. She has immersed herself in the Colorado Culinary space, is a Culinary School Graduate and publishes her Colorado food Blog, Cooking On The Ranch.
Wow – great looking sandwich! I love manchego. I bet that would rock grilled or done in a pannini press too.
There’s liquor store that we pass on our way up north that I like: Lake Aire Bottle Shop.
Thanks for the recipe.
Dave
I love your grilled idea! Thanks for stopping by Dave
Great sandwich idea… I’ll be making this one for sure!
Wow! That is quite the sandwich–it looks amazing. Especially loving the manchego melted on top–it’s one of my favorite cheeses. 😉
I get glassy eyed and lost in the really big liquor stores. I prefer the smaller operations, where the guy behind the counter will always notice that I have no idea what wine to buy since I have been staring at the same shelf for 15 minutes. He will then come over, pick out a bottle for me and put me out of my misery.
As for the sammie (Ooops! I channeled Rachel Ray!) I loooove pumpernickle, and I love that sandwich season is rolling back around again, which means I can invite the spaniard over for dinner 😀
Karen, you need us when you get all glassy eyed. I’d have you dragging home about 20 bottles. As always thanks for stopping by
Wow, what a sammie! Totally delicious.
Our local liquor store sports the same name as ever other liquor store in the province. We have a medieval monopoly in Ontario, and we also enjoy the right to pay three times more than the US for the same products. Yay!
Oh yes, I forgot about your Canadian situation! As always, thanks for stopping by Natashya
Lea Ann…whatever u may call these…they are super and rock….i could have a few of these right now and still wan more….oh they are so sod elicious with the perfect combis galore….
cheers and happy day to u….
Thanks so much!
That looks way better than the cereal I just ate!
LOL Cathy, every once in a while I’ll push the cereal aside and have something sinful for breakfast, like Spaghetti. 🙂
Ham and pumpernickel- you had me at that before the other goodies!
As always, thanks for stopping by BD
That sounds like my kind of store! 😀 Great sandwich too.
I’m kind of like a kid in a candy store in that place.
Um, since I was BORN in Spain, that makes me a SPANIARD…….soooooo YOU KNOW I’LL BE MAKING THIS !yum ! ! !
Uh oh, an expert! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
Seriously delicious looking sandwich. Our liquor stores are called ABC stores. That would be the first sign that children recognize – go figure.
Thanks Penny!
I’ve been a sandwich man my entire life and would love to dive into this baby. It is awesome and I like everything on it – great job.
Thanks Larry! I’m still craving that gravy of yours.
Inventive sandwiches like this are the best. So out of the ordinary and yet so delicious. I love the story of it’s discovery. Maybe I need to hang out more in my local liquor store. you know. For food inspiration.
Thanks JoAnne.
YUM! I will make this on my next day off (I do hope it’s soon). Our nearest liquor store is the Majestic… it sadly does not live up to it’s name. Thanks for a great post!
Thanks Zia
I’ve been to Tipsy’s and it is CRAZY big. I will definitely make that sandwich. It looks sooooo good. Great photos. — Drew
Thanks Drew!
That is one amazing looking sandwich. If that is what you were even remotely served at Tipsy’s Liqour World, all I can say is wow.
btw, A liqour store the size of a Costco with a big neon martini glass-really? I love it!
It’s a monstrosity! Thanks Velva
LOVE this post! The sandwich looks fabulous – not sure what Manchego cheese is, but I’m anxious to find out. And I’m with you, the salad side = healthy. Your photos are just beautiful!!
Thanks Vickie. I had never used Manchego until I wanted to make this sandwich. Its creamy good.
It could of used a couple of slices of bacon. Otherwise it was very tasty looking.
Bacon improves ANYthing.
I have a hard time commenting about how bleepity bleep good that sandwich looks without using dirty words. Just wow.
Did I mention, wow?
The broiled cheese brings tears to my eyes.
As always, thanks for bleepity bleep stopping by Chris! 🙂
this sandwich is a butt kicker – seriously – its that good!
Thanks DoggyB, for the comment and the visit