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Close-up of a delicious Caprese sandwich on a baguette with fresh mozzarella, grilled tomatoes, basil, and pesto on a wooden board.
Maryam

Caprese Sandwich

This fresh and vibrant Caprese sandwich brings the classic Italian salad between two slices of crusty bread for a quick, satisfying meal.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Course: lunch, Snack
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 650

Ingredients
  

For the Sandwich
  • 2 Ciabatta rolls or focaccia fresh, 4-6 inches long
  • 6 oz Fresh mozzarella sliced into 1/4-inch thick rounds
  • 2 Ripe tomatoes medium, like Roma or beefsteak, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
  • 0.5 cup Fresh basil leaves packed
  • 2 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil good quality
  • 1 tbsp Balsamic glaze store-bought or homemade
  • 0.25 tsp Sea salt
  • 0.125 tsp Freshly ground black pepper

Equipment

  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting board
  • Panini Press or Large Skillet

Method
 

Prepare Ingredients
  1. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice your ciabatta rolls or focaccia in half horizontally. Slice the fresh mozzarella and ripe tomatoes into even 1/4-inch thick rounds. Pick the fresh basil leaves from their stems.
  2. Lightly drizzle the cut sides of your bread with extra virgin olive oil. Sprinkle evenly with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Don't be shy, this seasoning layer really makes a difference!
  3. On the bottom half of each piece of bread, layer the sliced fresh mozzarella, followed by the sliced tomatoes, and finally a generous handful of fresh basil leaves. Drizzle the balsamic glaze over the basil.
  4. Place the top halves of the bread onto the assembled sandwiches. If you have a panini press, grill for 3-5 minutes until the cheese is melty and the bread is golden and crisp. If using a skillet, heat it over medium heat, lightly butter the outsides of the bread, and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, pressing down with a spatula, until golden brown.
  5. Carefully remove the Caprese sandwiches from the grill or skillet. Slice in half if desired and serve immediately while warm. The melty cheese and warm tomatoes are pure bliss!

Notes

Elevate your sandwich by using homemade balsamic glaze! Simply reduce balsamic vinegar in a saucepan over medium-low heat until it thickens to a syrupy consistency. Choose the freshest, ripest tomatoes you can find – they are a star of this sandwich! Heirloom tomatoes add extra color and flavor. For a slightly different twist, add a thin layer of pesto to one side of the bread before layering the other ingredients. This adds another layer of herbaceous flavor.