Antipasto Squares
If you’re looking for a hearty, man-friendly appetizer, these Antipasto Squares, filled with Italian meat and cheeses are the answer! This twist on Antipasto disappeared at a cocktail party a couple of weeks ago.
Perfect for game day, too, these squares make a delicious, out-of-the-ordinary Antipasto Platter!
Why You Must Make
- Most of the ingredients can be found prepackaged in the deli department of your grocery store, plus two packages of Pillsbury Crescent rolls in the refrigerator aisle.
- The protein-heavy appetizer is filling and great for gatherings of men and women!
- Using crescent rolls and deli ingredients makes it super easy to throw together.
- It isn’t the same old appetizer brought to every gathering. Plus, they are delicious!
Antipasto Platter
While I’m a huge fan of Antipasto Skewers, they aren’t heavy enough for a cocktail party over the dinner hour. Our hosts had yummy beef tenderloin sandwiches, but from my experience, I knew the hubby would want another substantial appetizer.
This recipe for Antipasto Squares is super easy with the aid of a shortcut, Pillsbury Crescent Rolls. Though I prefer to make recipes from scratch, I knew this appetizer recipe would be a hit even if it was semi-homemade. We came home with an empty platter if that tells you anything!
Recipe Tips
You can certainly tweak these antipasto squares to your liking, adding the cold cuts and cheeses of your choice. I’ve also made a version with puff pastry, but the layers are much more visible in this antipasto recipe. Besides being beautiful this “antipasto” incorporates all those wonderful flavors in every bite.
- PRO-Tip: Line the pan with non-stick foil. This makes for easy removal of the squares for cutting and easy cleanup.
- Cool before slicing, but serve at room temperature.
- Start by placing one roll of crescent roll dough over the bottom of the pan, without separating the triangles. Press together the seams.
- Some lightly beaten eggs help glue this appetizer together. Reserve a bit to paint over the top layer of crescent rolls to provide a nice sheen.
- PRO-Tip: To remove the seams in the top sheet of dough, place the remaining sheet of crescent roll dough on a floured surface and gently press the seams together. Use light pressure with a floured rolling pin to smooth out the dough.
- Sprinkle with grated Parmesan for a boost of flavor on the crust.
These Antipasto Squares would be a perfect appetizer for the Super Bowl or at any game day gathering; the menfolk would scarf this down in an instant. Hope you enjoy it!!
Frequently Asked Questions
When you think of antipasto, your mind drifts to Italian cuisine. The word antipasto is derived from the Latin root words, “anti” meaning before and “pasto” meaning meal. So antipasto is anything served before a meal. Antipasto (singular) or Antipasti (plural) isn’t traditionally served in Italian home unless it’s a special meal.
The typical American Antipasto Platter contains meats, cheeses, and vegetables. For meats, select Prosciutto, hard salami, mortadella, or whatever Italian meats you find in the deli case. Cheeses should reflect a variety of textures and flavors, not necessarily limited to Italian cheeses. I like blue cheese, Swiss, cheddar and a double or triple creme cheese, like a Brie. Vegetables help round out this easy appetizer with olives, sun-dried tomatoes, marinated artichoke hearts, and roasted peppers being favorites.
Bread is also necessary to accompany the meats and cheeses. Break sticks, slices of a baguette, crostini, and/or crackers are all delicious options. Arranging all the components in a beautiful, artistic way is what makes antipasti so appealing. We eat with our eyes first!
You May Also Like
- Antipasto Platter from Nutmeg Nanny
- Easy Smoked Salmon Dip
- Bacon Cheddar Cheese Dip
- Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Stuffed Mini Peppers
- Plus, you’ll love this festive Antipasto Wreath
- More of my Best Appetizer Recipes
Antipasto Squares Recipe
The classic ingredients of antipasto encased in pastry for a delicious appetizer!
Ingredients
Antipasto Squares
- 2 packages Pillsbury Crescent rolls
- ¼ lb Swiss cheese, sliced
- ¼ lb Provolone cheese, sliced
- ¼ lb Genoa salami, sliced
- ¼ lb Prosciutto
- ¼ lb sliced pepperoni
- About ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Small jar of roasted red bell peppers, drained and chopped
- 2 eggs, slightly beaten
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9 x 13-inch pan with non-stick foil or spray with Pam.
- Layer one package of the crescent rolls on the bottom of the pan. Pat the seams to fuse.
- Then layer salami, provolone, prosciutto, Swiss, pepperoni, and Parmesan.
- Sprinkle with the chopped red peppers.
- Pour about ¾ of the egg mixture on top. Cover with the remaining package of crescent rolls. Brush top with remaining egg.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if desired. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 15-30 minutes until the top is browned.
- Cool and slice into squares.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
2 squaresAmount Per Serving: Calories: 228Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 76mgSodium: 790mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 14g
Perfectly polished toes of our volunteer friends! This post was first shared in June, 2010. Text and photos were updated in 2019.
15 Comments on “Antipasto Squares”
Okay, I’m in love. This recipe is perfect as an appetizer. How about for a soup/sandwich luncheon. OMG, perfect. Après ski? (Yeah, ya gotta live in Aspen.) Thanks for the thoughtful hints, notes and well-written recipe. THIS, I will do. You already know that I am not offended by semi-homemade!
Gameday snacks, the season finale of my favorite fall shows, I don’t feel like cooking, hubby wants a snack. These are just a few occasions when I’d love to have these. Their ease of preparation is another good reason to make these.
I am going to pin this recipe, it’s definitely a man friendly appetizer. I might have some pieces myself.
Love this idea! The boys would devour this platter in no time at all. Great appetizer to make ahead for any gathering. All you need is a glass of wine and you are good to go. Hope you are doing well.
Dear Liz, now that looks like a fantastic alternative to those pizza wheels I keep making – which we also love but those layers of delicious Italian ingredients sandwiched between crescent roll dough sounds extremly tempting to me. Plus I love the ‘square look’ – makes for a nice presentation too!
I’ve also made these with turkey, ham and roast beef. Delicious!
Sounds like a delicious alternative, Debbie!!! Love it! Thanks.
I just printed this recipe. What fun! Man friendly and Mimi friendly!!! This is nothing like I’ve seen before, and I can’t wait to make them. I can’t for Thanksgiving because of my vegetarian/pescatarian daughter, but in December we have lots of plans for eating! Thanks!
These are so perfect for holiday parties! No silverware required and SO much flavor. Putting this on the menu for our neighborhood get-together next week!
Man friendly indeed! This sounds like a great party appy Liz! Happy Holiday Planning Season:@)
These are right up my alley I can’t wait to make these for Christmas Day what a great recipe wow I am drooling over these !
Such a neat idea! I actually would love to have them with a salad or soup for the lunch :-))
I love “man-friendly appetizer.” What an awesome quote. 😀
Seriously, these look amazing. Such a great appetizer, lunch OR dinner. YUM! ~Valentina
Made this last night, it was delicious !! I did make 2 changes, I had on hand pillsbury pizza dough, so instead of crescent rolls I used pizza dough. And only used the egg wash on the top, none inside. We will be using this for the Super Bowl party. Thanks!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed!!! Thanks for the feedback…my friends loved it!