Caprese Sandwich Recipe

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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.

Prep Time5

Cook Time15

Total Time20

Course: lunch, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Italian

Diet: Vegetarian

Servings: Servings

Author: Laura

Cost: $10

Equipment

Ingredients

8 Ciabatta rolls ( 2 loaves ciabatta bread - 24 ounces total)
16 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese
2 tomatoes
6.5 ounces basil pesto
Salt and pepper
4 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar (high quality, or glaze)
½ cup fresh basil (chopped)
16 ounces deli meat (salami, turkey, ham, etc0>
crushed red pepper optional

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F
Cut the ciabatta rolls or loaves in half lengthwise about ¾ of the way, making sure to leave them connected still.
Spread pesto on both sides of the ciabatta bread
Then, layer the deli meat, tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese (in that order) on top of the pesto on each piece of bread.
Drizzle balsamic glaze over the mozzarella cheese.
Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Bake 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. If desired, add crushed red pepper, fold in half, slice and serve warm.

Video

Notes

Ingredient 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.

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.

Nutrition