Italian Sushi Is the Party Appetizer You Didn’t Know You Needed
If you’re looking for a show-stopping appetizer that takes no time, no cooking, and absolutely wows guests, this Italian Sushi is your new go-to.
It’s basically a hand-rolled Italian antipasto—prosciutto, burrata, and sun-dried tomatoes all bundled up with arugula and basil, sliced into gorgeous little rolls and finished with a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
Think of it as the perfect finger food meets charcuterie board… in one bite.
I love making this for dinner parties, holidays, or even a low-key Friday night with wine. The roll-and-slice method makes it feel a little fancy, but it’s so easy to pull together.
Pair it with a few other easy appetizers like blueberry goat cheese, black bean corn dip, and crispy carrot fries for the ultimate girl dinner.
Ingredients Notes + Substitutions
- Prosciutto & Salami: These are your “seaweed”—thin, salty, and easy to roll.
- Burrata: The creamy center of it all. You can also use mozzarella, goat cheese, or ricotta.
- Arugula or Spinach: For that fresh bite and a little texture.
- Basil: A few fresh leaves bring so much classic Italian flavor.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: They add a punch of sweet, chewy richness.
- Olive Oil + Balsamic Glaze: For the finishing drizzle.
How to Make Italian Sushi
- Prep the base: Layer the prosciutto and salami so they slightly overlap.
- Layer the fillings: Add basil, arugula, sun-dried tomatoes, and torn burrata, seasonings, and balsamic glaze.
- Roll it up: Starting from the long edge, roll everything up tightly, like a sushi roll.
- Cut and serve: Slice into 6-8 pieces and serve with an extra drizzle of balsamic glaze.
Tips & Variations
- Make it ahead: Prep the roll a few hours early and slice just before serving.
- Try different cheeses: Goat cheese, ricotta, or even spreadable herbed cheese works great.
- Add-ins: Chopped olives, roasted red peppers, toasted pine nuts, roasted garlic, or a touch of hot honey are all delicious options.
- Change up the meat: Swap or add prosciutto cotto, capicola, or Italian ham.
Italian Sushi
This Italian sushi recipe is a creative, no-cook appetizer that’s packed with classic Italian flavors. You start with delicate prosciutto wrapped around creamy burrata, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil for a savory finger food that’s perfect for parties. Drizzle with balsamic glaze for a dish that’s as beautiful as it is delicious!
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Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 7 slices prosciutto
- 5-7 slices Italian salami
- 3-4 fresh basil leaves
- 1-2 cups arugula or spinach
- 1 ball of burrata
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes
- Kosher salt black pepper, and oregano to taste
- Extra virgin olive oil to taste
- Balsamic glaze to taste
Instructions
- Line a cutting board with parchment paper. Lay the slices of prosciutto down parallel to each other, making sure the edges overlap. Then do the same with the salami.7 slices prosciutto, 5-7 slices Italian salami
- Then, add the leaves of fresh basil across the center of the prosciutto so that it spans all seven pieces. Add the arugula on top. Arrange the sun dried tomatoes on top, then tear open the ball of burrata and spread it evenly on top of the sun dried tomatoes. Sprinkle it with salt, pepper, and oregano to taste. Finally, drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.3-4 fresh basil leaves, 1-2 cups arugula, 1 ball of burrata, 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, Kosher salt, Extra virgin olive oil to taste, Balsamic glaze to taste
- Starting at the short edge, wrap the prosciutto up and over the filling, doing your best to keep each piece of prosciutto connected to one another. Continue to roll it tightly, like a sushi roll, until you have a long log. Cut into 6-8 even pieces and serve right away with more balsamic glaze.
Last step! If you make this, please leave a review letting us know how it was!
Notes
To Store. Place the leftover italian sushi in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Cheese Variations: You can use any kind of soft or creamy cheese like goat cheese, ricotta cheese, fresh mozzarella, or a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.
Deli Meats: Add or swap in prosciutto, Italian ham, capicola, or cured ham.
More Toppings: Try roasted red peppers, chopped olives, artichokes, toasted pine nuts, or a drizzle of honey.
Nutrition
Serving: 2rolls | Calories: 130kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 358mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 222IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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