Warm Bacon Turkey Ranch Sandwiches (Cozy & Cheesy!)

 

 

There's something wonderfully comforting about a hot sandwich, and this one is truly special. Built on a soft potato roll and layered with lots of deli turkey, smoky bacon, rich cheddar and a ranch mayonnaise, it delivers that perfect balance of flavours that makes every bite feel indulgent and satisfying.

Perfectly sized for one in my quest to create delicious small-batch meals that feel every bit as hearty and joyful as cooking for a crowd. Wrapped in foil and baked until the cheese melts and the bun turns warm and buttery, this is simple comfort food at its best: easy, cozy and made with every day ingredients that come together in the most delicious way.

 

I don't aways have the time or the energy to make a full meal, with meat, potatoes and two veg on the side. There are days when I would just be happy with a bowl of cereal and I admit, I have done that. But usually I try to make myself at least something which has a bit of protein and nourishment.  A sandwich always fits the bill perfectly and if it's a hot sandwich so much the better.

I had picked up some really tasty potato buns at the shops the other day and thought they would be perfect for a burger, but then I didn't feel like making a burger. I did have some deli-turkey in the refrigerator however along with the other fixings so I made myself a hot sandwich instead.

This was fabulous. You could of course use leftover sliced turkey from a roast, (Thanksgiving is coming up),  but I just happened to have a package of deli turkey in the refrigerator. Shaved deli turkey would be lovely, but mine was just sliced.

I also had some really good sliced medium cheddar cheese. Dyed orange, but hey ho. It tastes the same.  I also always keep crisp cooked bacon in my freezer. I tend to cook it a pound at a time and then just freeze what I don't need to use at once.  Its nice to have cooked bacon ready to hand.

I had bought this ranch mayonnaise at the shops one time, meant to be served with chicken wings I think but I decided it would be just right for this sandwich. It worked great. It had a lovely richness and flavour and wasn't as slopping.

Altogether this was a totally delicious sandwich that I really enjoyed! I cracked open a bag of potato chips to enjoy on the side and I had some lovely home made dill pickle chips in the fridge that worked very well also.  This was a simple supper. Quick and easy to make.  And, I am happy to say, very delicious and satisfying.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED

TO MAKE

🍔BACON, TURKEY, CHEESE & RANCH SANDWICHES🍔

There is absolutely nothing complicated about this sandwich. Quantities are for one sandwich, but can easily be multiplied to make more.

• 1 sturdy bun (I used a fresh potato bun from the local shops)
• 2 TBS Ranch mayonnaise
• 4 slices of deli turkey
• 2 slices of crisp streaky bacon (cook to your preference)
• 2 slices of deli cheddar cheese (I used medium)

 

🍔NOTES ON INGREDIENTS🍔

One Bun

Use a sturdy bun. I used a potato bun, freshly made from the local shops. It was soft and yet sturdy enough to stand up to the fillings.

Ranch Mayonnaise

You can of course use any ranch dressing you enjoy. I had a bottle of Ranch Mayonnaise (Hellman's) which was supposed to be served with wings, but I thought it would go great in this.

Deli Turkey

You can more or less use as much as you want of this. It is the heart of the sandwich. I am not a fan of smoked turkey, but you could certainly use some of that if you wanted to.  You could also use leftover cooked sliced turkey.

Crisp Bacon

I always keep cooked crisp streaky bacon in my freezer. I tend to cook it up a pound at a time and then freeze it ready to take out as and when I need it. This adds a lovely depth of flavor to the sandwich.

Sliced Deli Cheddar Cheese

I used a medium cheddar, orange. You can use any kind of cheese or strength of cheddar that you enjoy. Even marbled cheddar. Just don't use those plastic cheese slices, well, not unless you really enjoy them.

HOW TO MAKE

🍔BACON, TURKEY, CHEESE & RANCH SANDWICHES🍔

Nothing could be simpler. It's just a matter of layering, wrapping and baking. 

1. Preheat the oven to 375*F/190*C/ gas mark 5. Have a small baking tray ready. (This is to hold your wrapped sandwich.)
2. Slice your bun in half, horizontally, through the center. (I used a serrated knife.)
3. Spread the cut side of each half with a quantity of the ranch mayonnaise. (This was nice and rich, thicker than ranch dressing.)
4. Starting on the bottom, layer with the turkey, the bacon and finally the cheese. (I have seen some people chop the turkey, but I don't think it's really necessary.)
5. Top with the top of the bun and gently press to adhere. (Just to make sure everything stays in place)
6. Wrap in a sheet of aluminum foil, closing everything in tightly. Place onto the baking tray. (Make sure it's airtight and not packed too close.)
7. Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes until everything is heated through and the cheese has melted. (It may take longer depending on your oven. I used my Our Place Wonder Oven Pro. I use that a lot these days.)
8. Serve hot, cut in half, with your favorite sides. (On this day I chose plain ruffled potato chips and dill pickle cuts.)

🍔HINTS AND TIPS FOR SUCCESS🍔

Use a serrated knife to cut the roll

This will keep you from tearing the bun and make a neat and tidy cut.

Spread the ranch right to the edges

A generous even layer of the ranch ensures every bite is flavourful and keeps the sandwich moist.

Fold the turkey

I like to fold the turkey or ruffle it a bit (depending on the thickness of the slices) if possible giving a nice balance of meat throughout the sandwich.

Use cooked, crispy bacon

Crispy bacon adds texture and prevents sogginess. It also adds a nice layer of smokiness.

Use a well flavored cheese

Make sure that the cheese you use has a flavor strong enough to stand up to the other ingredients. You don't want it's flavour to get lost.

Bake until the cheese has fully melted

Look for melted cheese. This ensures that the sandwich is hot, gooey and perfect.

 

🍔FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS🍔

WHAT TYPE OF BUN IS BEST?

I recommend you use a nice soft bun, but also one which is sturdy and able to stand up to the filling. You don't want a bun that is going to be falling apart while you are eating it.

CAN THIS RECIPE BE MULTIPLED TO FEED MORE?

Yes, although the quantities are given for one, you can certainly make as many of these sandwiches as you need or want.

CAN THIS BE MADE AHEAD OF TIME?

You can certainly put the sandwich together ahead of time, ready to pop into the oven. Simply assemble, wrap and then refrigerate until you are ready to bake it. If it is cold from the refrigerator, it may take a bit longer to bake so that the cheese melts.

WHY WRAP THE SANDWICH IN FOIL?

Foil helps the sandwich to heat through evenly and melt the cheese without drying out the bun.

CAN I ADD VEGGIES, ETC. TO THE SANDWICH?

Feel free to add any veggies you wish, to add some crunch or whatever. I would not add lettuce until I went to serve it. Sliced peppers, onions, olives, hot pickled peppers, etc.  All would work very well.

WHAT CAN I SERVE THIS WITH?

That all depends on how hungry you are. On this occasion I served it with some crisp potato chips and dill pickle slices. Potato salad, coleslaw, a tossed salad, oven chips. All would work very well alongside this tasty sandwich.

 

🍔A FEW OTHER HOT SANDWICHES TO ENJOY🍔

Who doesn't enjoy a hot sandwich? They make great impromptu light suppers and lunches, depending on what you choose to serve along side.

HOT HAM & CHEESE WITH BACON & CARAMELIZED ONIONS - This sandwich is pure cozy comfort - a warm, soft Kaiser roll, stuffed with layers of savoury deli ham, creamy Swiss cheese, crisp smoky bacon and sweet caramelized onions. Wrapped in foil and baked until all the flavours meld together in buttery, golden perfection. Great for one or for a crowd.

CROISSANT REUBEN SANDWICH - Everything you love about a classic Reuben sandwich, tucked into a warm, flaky, buttery croissant.  Each bite is the perfect mix of tangy sauerkraut, a spicy homemade thousand island dressing, hot juicy meat and oodles of melted Swiss cheese. All grilled gently until the croissant is nice and crisp and the filling is perfectly heated through. Indulgent, cozy and delicious.

 

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Yield: Makes one sandwich

Author: Marie Rayner

Turkey, Bacon, Cheese & Ranch Sandwiches

Prep time: 5 MinCook time: 15 MinTotal time: 20 Min

Quantities are given for one sandwich. Simply multiply to make more. This is a fabulously tasty sandwich, with layers of savoury turkey, smoky bacon. rich cheddar and that irresistible ranch dressing.

Ingredients

• 1 sturdy bun (I used a fresh potato bun from the local shops)
• 2 TBS Ranch mayonnaise
• 4 slices of deli turkey
• 2 slices of crisp streaky bacon (cook to your preference)
• 2 slices of deli cheddar cheese (I used medium)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375*F/190*C/ gas mark 5. Have a small baking tray ready.
2. Slice your bun in half, horizontally, through the center.
3. Spread the cut side of each half with a quantity of the ranch mayonnaise.
4. Starting on the bottom, layer with the turkey, the bacon and finally the cheese.
5. Top with the top of the bun and gently press to adhere.
6. Wrap in a sheet of aluminum foil, closing everything in tightly. Place onto the baking tray.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes until everything is heated through and the cheese has melted.
8. Serve hot, cut in half, with your favorite sides. On this day I chose potato chips and dill pickle cuts.

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