Caprese Sandwich

4.26 from 79 votes

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!

A stack of four slices of bread in the background with a slice of bread that has arugula and five slices of tomatoes on top. Another slice of bread that has been spread with pesto is laying next to it. There are basil leaves scattered on the wooden tray.

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

An opened sandwich with sliced tomatoes, sliced fresh mozzarella cheese, and arugula. A balsamic glaze is being drizzled over the top. There is another slice of bread that has been spread with pesto in front of it. there are four slices of bread stacked in the background.

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.

A wooden tray with sliced bread, a slice of bread with tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and arugula on top. There is another slice of bread laying next to it that has been spread with pesto. Arugula and basil leaves lay on the tray and table next to the tray.

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:

A slice of bread on a wooden tray. There are sliced tomatoes and fresh sliced mozzarella cheese and arugula on the slice of bread. A balsamic glaze is drizzled over the cheese. There are other slices of bread stacked on the tray next to the sandwich and arugula leaves scattered around. Another slice of bread is on the table in front of the tray and it has been spread with pesto.

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!

A grilled caprese panini that has been cut in half and stacked on top of each other. You can see the grill marks on the bread and the arugula, tomatoes, pesto and mozzarella cheese inside. A little balsamic glaze is oozing from the sandwich. There is another sandwich in the background, and some arugula and basil on the table.

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.

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