This Balsamic Glazed Caprese Sandwich is packed with the flavor of fresh tomatoes, arugula and fresh mozzarella. The best panini ever!!
Balsamic Glazed Caprese Sandwich
Long ago, we traveled to South Carolina and had the most delicious sun dried tomato pesto panini. I mean, one of the best sandwiches in the entire world. Years passed and a new sandwich shop in town was featuring a caprese sandwich that was out of this world and I just knew we had to recreate it at home.
The years went by and my mom was looking for a vegetarian option to feed her friends for dinner and I mentioned that I could teach her a simple but crazy delicious grilled tomato basil mozzarella sandwich.
Wait, why haven’t I shared that on the blog yet? This tomato mozzarella caprese sandwich is a summer staple at our house!
What is Caprese?
Caprese is an Italian dish made from fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and sweet basil, seasoned with salt and olive oil, occasionally paired with arugula. It can be eaten as a salad or on a sandwich.
What’s Needed to Make a Caprese Sandwich?
This caprese sandwich recipe is a spinoff of the popular caprese salad. We end up needing a dressing to keep the sandwich moist, a little greens action to make for a more filling sandwich, and of course, the perfect bread.
Here’s what you’ll need to make this caprese panini recipe:
- Sourdough Bread
- Fresh Tomatoes
- Fresh Mozzarella
- Salt and Pepper
- Pesto
- Arugula
- Basil
- Balsamic Glaze
How to Make a Caprese Sandwich
This caprese sandwich recipe couldn’t be simpler to make! I’ve given detailed instructions on how to make this tomato basil mozzarella sandwich in the recipe card below, but here’s an overview of this recipe:
- Make the homemade pesto (don’t worry, it’s super simple!).
- Spread pesto on both slices of bread.
- Top one slice of bread with sliced tomatoes and mozzarella, fresh basil, and arugula. Drizzle with balsamic reduction.
- Place second slice of bread on top.
- Cook in a panini press or grill pan until golden and the cheese is gooey.
What to Serve with Caprese Sandwiches
Because a grilled caprese sandwich is a light and fresh option for lunch or dinner, I like to match the sides accordingly.
Here are a few things you could serve with your caprese panini:
- Kettle Chips
- Grape Salad
- Fruit Salad
- Garden Salad
- Italian Veggie Salad
What’s the Best Bread for Caprese Sandwiches?
Our favorite bread to use for this tomato mozzarella caprese sandwich is sourdough. But any sturdy, crusty bread will work. Avoid using soft white breads as they’re not strong enough to hold all the toppings.
Do I Have to Use Homemade Pesto?
Of course not! This caprese panini can be made with your favorite store-bought pesto as well.
Can I Add Extra Veggies?
Sure thing! You’re welcome to load up your caprese sandwich as you see fit. Just keep in mind that this won’t technically be a caprese sandwich anymore once you add other vegetables. It’ll still be delicious though!
Tips for Making the BEST Caprese Sandwich
In a traditional mozzarella caprese salad you find a more soft and water packed mozzarella than those mozzarella bricks at the store. The mozzarella makes a huge difference in the sandwich. It’s like using two totally different ingredients if you get the wrong kind.
It’s easiest for me to buy the fresh mozzarella cheese log by Galbani. In my store it’s found over by the specialty cheese section and not with the dairy aisle.
We kept this grilled caprese sanwich vegetarian, but you’re welcome to add chicken to your sandwich to bulk it up even more.
More EASY SANDWICH RECIPES:
- Cucumber Dill Sandwiches
- Avocado, Turkey, & Bacon Sandwiches
- Crockpot French Dip Sandwich
- Classic Egg Salad Sandwiches
- Triple Decker Club Sandwich
- BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese
- Chicken Salad Sandwich (on a Croissant!)
- Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Panini
- Sun-Dried Tomato, Bacon, & Pesto Grilled Cheese
- …ALL OF OUR SANDWICH RECIPES!
Caprese Sandwich
Description
Ingredients
Caprese Paninis
- Bread, (we prefer sourdough)
- Fresh Mozzarella, , sliced
- Roma Tomatoes, , sliced
- Arugula
- Basil
- Pesto
- Butter
Balsamic Glaze
- 1 Cup Balsamic Vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Honey, (or sugar)
Instructions
Make the Balsamic Glaze:
- Bring the vinegar and honey to a simmer in a small pot over medium heat until reduced by 1/2. Do not boil, turn to medium low if needed. Set aside to cool.1 Cup Balsamic Vinegar, 1 teaspoon Honey
Make the Caprese Sandwiches:
- Prepare the pesto per recipe instructions.
- Spread pesto on both pieces of bread. Place arugula, basil, tomatoes, mozzarella and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Drizzle a little balsamic glaze and top with the other piece of bread.Bread, Fresh Mozzarella, Roma Tomatoes, Arugula, Pesto , Basil
- Heat a panini grill or grill pan and butter the outside of the sandwich. Grill until golden and serve.Butter
Notes
- To bulk up this sandwich even more, you’re welcome to add some sliced chicken to your panini as well.
JEAN m MORLANDO
you say to make the pesto it’s really easy, but where is the recipe ?
Sweet Basil
Hi Jean! Sorry about that! The link to the pesto recipe in the recipe card got broken somehow. I have corrected it. Here’s the link to the recipe: https://ohsweetbasil.com/classic-pesto-recipe-and-how-to-store-pesto/ Enjoy!!
Johna
So delicious! Gorgeous, big flavors that are utterly addictive and taste like these sandwiches should be way harder to make than they really are. A panini press is really the way to go. We were in our travel trailer, so I had to prepare these in our electric skillet. Flipping these was a tad messy, but we made it work, and the outcome was still yummy!
Sweet Basil
You are the best, Johna! Thank you so much!!
Catherine Sokolowski
I can see this sandwich being a regular on our weekly menu. I can’t wait to try it!
Sweet Basil
You’re going to love it, Catherine!!
A@4U
I prepared these sandwiches yesterday for a light Sunday supper – Quick, easy, minimal clean up and oh so delicious. I did use store-bought pesto and I reduced the glaze ingredients by about half which yielded plenty of glaze for 2 sandwiches. Thanks for a great recipe and look forward to serving again and again.
Sweet Basil
Thank you so much! So glad you enjoyed these sandwiches!
Donna
It says prepare per instructions but there are none…
Sweet Basil
Hi Donna! The instructions are in the recipe card at the end of the post.
Leticia Beck
The pesto recipe part is not working… can you share the recipe?
Sweet Basil
Hi Leticia! That is so strange! It is opening just fine on my end. Try this link: https://ohsweetbasil.com/classic-pesto-recipe-and-how-to-store-pesto/
Let me know if that doesn’t work!
Robin
This is SO good!! Have already made three times since discovering your recipe. Only change is I used store bought pesto (because I’m lazy lol) and added spinach and pickled jalapeños! Easy and great sandwich for weeknight dinner!
Sweet Basil
Thank you so much Robin! Your version sounds amazing! Thank you for taking time to leave a comment!
Suze
Delicious and so easy!
Sweet Basil
It is one of my favorites! Thank you Suze!
Donna Sansbury
You were looking for a vegetarian meal for your mother, but pesto has parmesan cheese which is rennet which is from unweaned calf intestines. Bottled pest is aren’t vegetarian, a lot of people don’t know this. In the ingredients of a lot of food it lists enzymes which is rennet, unless it is microbial vegetarian.
Sweet Basil
Thank you for the information Donna!
Cheri
made the Caprese Sandwich for supper tonight. Delicious! I did make my own pesto tonight, but if I am in a hurry, I won’t hesitate to use store bought. I used a store bought Balsamic Reduction, because I was too lazy and in a hurry to get it together and didnt want to wait for it to cool. I skipped the Arugula tonight. My family as a whole don’t really like it. Next time I will use what ever leafy green I have avail, such as spinach, bibb or leaf lettuce. I may add some sliced chicken next time, as our son wanted a lil more subsidence. Lol.
Thank you for a lovely recipe that we shall use frequently!
Sweet Basil
Thank you so much for the feedback Cheri! I love all your ideas for the next time around!
Dawn
I made these yesterday, they were SO GOOD
Sweet Basil
Thank you so much!