This 4-ingredient sandwich celebrates summer with pesto made with fresh basil, peak season tomatoes, and slices of mozzarella cheese. It's barely a recipe (which is ideal for summer cooking!) and is ready in 30 minutes or less.
Use a panini press or other panini maker if you have one, but don't run out to buy one if you don't. A heavy skillet or grill pan works just fine.
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Anytime you see the word Caprese as part of a name for a dish, you can assume that basil, tomatoes, and mozzarella are involved. The only Caprese rule I live by is that since there aren't many ingredients, they all must be very fresh.
The most common Caprese reference is a simple Caprese Salad, made with only these ingredients. But you can use these ingredients for a simple pasta dish, a Caprese Tomato Tart, and this Caprese Panini.
❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
- 4 ingredients plus olive oil, salt and pepper.
- Make it in 30 minutes or less with no more than 15 minutes of meal prep.
- Serve as a main dish or cut into small squares speared with toothpicks for an appetizer.
🧅 Main Ingredients + Notes
This list only covers ingredients that require some notes. Go to the Recipe Card at the bottom of this post for a complete listing of the ingredients, measurements, and directions.
- Pesto - I highly recommend you make your own pesto with fresh basil and a good quality olive oil.
- Tomatoes - This panini is best with in season, fresh tomatoes that are fully ripe. If you frequent a local farmer's market, pick a few up there!
- Mozzarella - I normally advise shredding your own cheese, but for this sandwich, the pre-sliced route is best. This way the cheese melts uniformly through the entire sandwich as you grill it on the stovetop.
👩🍳 Tips to Simplify
Make the pesto ahead and store in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
💡Ideas for Possible Variations
- Use another melty cheese in place of the mozzarella, such as fontina cheese.
- If you want to amp up the tomatoes, use balsamic roasted tomatoes.
- Spread the sandwich with this red pepper aioli.
- For a non-Italian twist, use chimichurri sauce in place of the basil pesto.
🥩 Tips for Omnivores
Add a layer of either prosciutto or roast chicken.
🍽 Side Dish Ideas
- Small bowls of Roasted Tomato Soup served on the side works great.
- If you want a side salad, serve a buttermilk coleslaw or a summer corn and tomato salad.
- For a vegetable side dish, I recommend these air fryer peppers with basil and feta or simple sauteed zucchini with fresh herbs.
- If you crave fries, try these spiralized shoestring garlic fries.
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Grilled Italian Pesto Caprese Panini
Equipment
- Grill pan or heavy skillet
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons Basil Pesto or to taste
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil divided
- 4 large ripe tomatoes sliced into ¼" slices
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 4 sandwich rolls
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella sliced
Instructions
- If using homemade pesto, make the Basil Pesto following these directions.
- Heat a grill pan or heavy skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Lightly salt and pepper the tomato slices, and add them to the pan. Cook for one minute on each side, until softened.Remove and set aside.
- Slice the rolls in half and spread a thick layer of pesto on the top half of each roll. Arrange the cheese slices on the bottom half. Layer the grilled tomatoes on top of the cheese and assemble the panini.
- Brush the tops and bottoms of each roll with the final 1 tablespoon olive oil and arrange on the grill pan over medium-high heat. Press lightly with a spatula and cook for 5 minutes. Carefully flip and lightly press again. Cook for another 3 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
- Serve warm.
avril
Mouth watering delicious-ness to the MAX! Panini sandwiches are the VERY best - I adore that this was your pick for SRC this month!! 🙂
sara
This looks so yummy! I am such a panini fan but I rarely make them at home...I definitely need to change that!
danielle
I am drooling over this picture. I need this for breakfast and lunch today.
devangi Raval
I love paninis. Best food for lunch. I would prefer hot panini any time over a cold sandwich. Nothing is better than caprese panini.
Sarah
This just screams summer 🙂 I love paninis, and hardly ever make them. You've inspired me 🙂
Leslie Limon
Yes, please! Sandwiches (of any kind) are one of the few foods I could eat every day and never get bored. Love that these are made with homemade pesto. Happy Reveal Day!
Amanda E
This looks fantastic! Perfect way to use up some summer tomatoes 🙂
Leigh
How good does melted cheese look! Your sandwich is making me hungry. 🙂
Anna
When I finally get some ripe tomatoes out of my garden, I am definitely going to have to try this. Yum!
cheri
This is the perfect sandwich, love this combination!
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables
This would definitely be the kind of recipe that both my husband and I would LOVE! I've pinned so I can make it soon!
Ladyjorns.Com
Caprese chicken is of my favorite flavor combos, and paninis are always a good idea! Thanks for the post, I ll need to make this soon!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Mine too! As summer rolls in, it's back on our menu too :-). I hope you give it a try.
mjskitchen
The panini is a must make! We've picked our first tomatoes of the season and tomorrow, I'm getting fresh baked bread from the bakery and fresh mozzarella. Can't wait to bite into this sandwich. Thanks!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
It will be perfect for you with all that freshly picked (and baked) ingredients! I hope you like it!