This caprese sandwich recipe is easy to make in under 20 minutes. Pesto, mozzarella cheese, tomatoes and fresh basil are layered between two pieces of bread and baked until melty & toasty.

This caprese sandwich recipe is one of our go-tos when we want a delicious meal that’s fast & easy to make.

Ciabatta bread is slathered with pesto, then layered with tomatoes, fresh basil and lots of mozzarella cheese. You can add lunch meat like salami, turkey, ham, etc. or keep them vegetarian.

Then, the caprese sandwiches are drizzled with balsamic glaze and baked until the cheese is melted and the bread is lightly toasted. Slice and serve for a crowd-pleasing, fast & easy lunch or dinner.

Caprese Sandwich: Ingredients & Substitutions

• Ciabatta rolls. I love rolls because they’re easier to cut & serve. You can use a loaf of ciabatta bread, italian bread, french bread, sourdough. etc.
• Mozzarella Cheese. Use fresh mozzarella for the best results.
• Tomatoes. Choose your favorite variety, I suggest Roma or heirloom.
• Pesto. I love fresh homemade pesto – but in the winter when basil is not in high supply, I have made this caprese sandwich recipe with store-bought pesto with great results.
• Balsamic Vinegar. Use a high-quality balsamic vinegar that is thick and sweet and pours like molasses (not water). If you don’t have access to that kind of balsamic, I suggest using a store-bought balsamic glaze.
• Fresh Basil. No substitutes here!
• Deli Meat. We love using turkey and salami in this sandwich. Other delicious suggestions are ham, prosciutto, etc.

How to Make Caprese Sandwiches

Let’s walk through how to make this caprese sandwich recipe step-by-step, and don’t forget to watch the video.

Begin by cutting the ciabatta rolls or loaves in half lengthwise about ¾ of the way, making sure to leave them connected.

Then, spread pesto on both sides of the ciabatta bread

Next, layer the deli meat (if desired), tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese (in that order) on top of the pesto on each piece of bread.

Drizzle balsamic vinegar or glaze over the mozzarella cheese and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Then, bake the caprese sandwiches in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and just starting to bubble.

Remove from oven, sprinkle with fresh basil and crushed red pepper (if desired).

Serve

Then, fold the sandwiches in half, slice and serve warm. We love serving these with a delicious salad like burrata salad.

Store

Store leftover sandwiches in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheat in the oven set to warm or in the microwave. Or, you can eat them cold if you’d like.

Caprese Sandwich Recipe FAQS

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