This Caprese Sandwich is packed with flavor with layers of fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, crisp greens, and a balsamic basil pesto sauce in between toasted ciabatta buns. This vegetarian sandwich is cheesy, delicious, and so quick and easy to make.
Caprese sandwiches are perfect for almost any occasion — from a quick pick-me-up lunch to an easy-but-stunning romantic picnic for two. This easy recipe takes everything you love about caprese salad and combines them with crispy bread for a handheld way to experience an Italian classic. You’ll want to make these ciabatta sandwiches on repeat all season long!
Why You'll Love this Caprese Sandwich Recipe
- Fresh Mediterranean flavor. Tangy balsamic vinegar, bold pesto, peppery arugula, juicy tomatoes, and creamy mozzarella cheese will rival anything you can get at your favorite Mediterranean restaurant.
- A 10-minute recipe. This Italian caprese sandwich is a quick and easy lunch option that can be made in 10 minutes or less — all you have to do is toast, slice, mix, and assemble. You can make a couple sandwiches in almost no time and take your time savoring every last bite.
- Healthy vegetarian sandwich. Caprese sandwiches are a great option for vegetarians or simply if you are looking for more plant-based ideas. It is also healthy and packed with vitamins and minerals thanks to the fresh tomatoes and greens. The mozzarella also provides good source of protein.
- Simple ingredients. This gourmet ciabatta sandwich sounds and tastes incredibly fancy, but the ingredients couldn’t be simpler. Store-bought or homemade ciabatta rolls, basil pesto, fresh mozzarella, tomato, argula, and a few other condiments make this the best sandwich you’ll have all summer.
Ingredient Notes
To make this easy Caprese Sandwich, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- ciabatta rolls - you can make ciabatta rolls from scratch or buy them from the grocery store or bakery to save time. You can also use other types of bread like sliced focaccia, sourdough, French baguette, or sandwich bread instead.
- baby arugula - baby spinach is a great substitute for baby arugula if you need to make a swap.
- mozzarella - burrata can also be used, but it’s usually creamier than mozzarella.
- roma tomato - opt for ripe tomatoes with vibrant colors for the best flavor. You can also try San Marzanos, Amish paste tomatoes, or cherry tomatoes if you can’t get your hands on some romas.
- pesto - store-bought or homemade pesto are both fine to use.
- mayonnaise - use your favorite brand or make some at home.
- balsamic vinegar - you can also use balsamic glaze or red wine vinegar instead.
- olive oil - avocado oil will also work if you don’t have olive oil on hand.
You will also need measuring cups and spoons and a baking sheet.
How to Make the Best Caprese Sandwich
- Toast the bread. Slice the ciabatta rolls open and place on a lined baking sheet. Toast in a 375F preheated oven oven until warmed through and the edges become crispy, about 1-2 minutes.
- Make sauce. In a small mixing bowl, add pesto sauce, mayonnaise, vinegar, and olive oil. Stir well until smooth.
- Assemble. To assemble each sandwich, spread 1 tablespoonful of sauce on the bottom sandwich slice and top with arugula, mozzarella rounds, and tomato slices. Drizzle the top sandwich slice with more pesto sauce and put them together. Serve immediately.
Recipe Variations
- Add cured meats. Add thin slices of prosciutto or salami to the sandwich. The salty and savory meat pairs so well with the fresh ingredients in the Caprese sandwich.
- Grill it. Take your caprese sandwich to the next level by grilling it. Lightly brush the bread with olive oil and grill the assembled sandwich on a panini press or grill pan until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted.
- Add more veggies. Make this vegetarian sandwich a little heartier with more vegetables. Some delicious options are avocado, cucumber, bell peppers, and alfalfa sprouts.
- Make a wrap. Instead of using bread, wrap the sandwich fillings in a large tortilla, pita bread, or naan bread.
How to Serve
This Caprese Sandwich is delicious served on its own, or paired with some of my favorite sides including:
- Soup. Tomato Basil Soup or Vegetable Soup.
- Salad. Caesar Salad, Italian Pasta Salad, or Beet Salad.
- Fries. Air Fryer French Fries, Baked Sweet Potato Wedges, Green Bean Fries, or Greek Fries.
- Antipasto. Charcuterie Board or Antipasto Skewers.
- Drinks. Homemade Lemonade, Homemade Iced Tea, or Bubble Tea.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Choose fresh ingredients. Start with high-quality, fresh ingredients. Select ripe tomatoes, fresh cheese, crisp greens, and freshly baked bread.
- Make your own rolls. This is the perfect excuse to try your hand at making ciabatta rolls (or other crusty bread roll of your choice). Use leftover homemade rolls from another meal or make them specially for these caprese sandwiches.
- Make the sauce ahead of time. If you’re making caprese sandwiches for a hosting event and you think you’ll be pressed for time, you can save yourself a few minutes by making the sauce ahead of time so it’s ready to go.
- Assemble just before serving. To prevent the sandwich from becoming soggy, assemble it just before serving. This ensures that the bread stays crispy, and the flavors of the ingredients are at their peak.
Storing Instructions
How to Store
Caprese sandwiches are best enjoyed fresh and are not typically recommended for long-term storage, as the ingredients can become soggy and lose their freshness. To store, transfer the sandwich into an airtight container or ziploc bag and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
Make Ahead Tips
If planning to have extra to store, I recommend keeping the components of the sandwich separate until you are ready to eat. Store the bread, sliced tomatoes, mozzarella, and greens individually and assemble the sandwich just before serving.
You can also make the sauce ahead of time and store in an airtight container until ready to assemble.
More Sandwich Recipes
- 50+ Healthy Lunch Ideas
- Roasted Broccoli Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Vegan Hummus Wrap
- Egg Salad Sandwich
- Chicken Salad
- Buffalo Turkey Wraps
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Recipe
Caprese Sandwich
- Total Time: 12 minutes
- Yield: 2 sandwiches
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Caprese Sandwich is packed with flavor with layers of fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, crisp greens, and a balsamic basil pesto sauce in between toasted ciabatta buns. This vegetarian sandwich is cheesy, delicious, and so quick and easy to make.
Ingredients
- 2 ciabatta rolls (or 4 sandwich bread slices or ½ French baguette)
- ½ cup baby arugula
- ½ fresh mozzarella ball (4 ounces), sliced into ¼ inch thick rounds
- 1 medium roma tomato, sliced into ¼-inch thick rounds
For the sauce:
- 2 tablespoons pesto sauce
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- ½ tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F.
- Slice the ciabatta rolls open and place on a lined baking sheet. Toast in the oven until warmed through and the edges become crispy, about 1-2 minutes.
- In a small mixing bowl, add pesto sauce, mayonnaise, vinegar, and olive oil. Stir well until smooth.
- To assemble each sandwich, spread 1 tablespoonful of sauce on the bottom sandwich slice and top with arugula, mozzarella rounds, and tomato slices. Drizzle the top sandwich slice with more pesto sauce and put them together.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
How to store: Caprese sandwiches are best enjoyed fresh and are not typically recommended for long-term storage, as the ingredients can become soggy and lose their freshness. To store, transfer the sandwich into an airtight container or ziploc bag and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
Make ahead tips: If planning to have extra to store, I recommend keeping the components of the sandwich separate until you are ready to eat. Store the bread, sliced tomatoes, mozzarella, and greens individually and assemble the sandwich just before serving. You can also make the sauce ahead of time and store in an airtight container until ready to assemble.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Assemble
- Cuisine: American
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Carm says
This is delicious easy and flexible. I would try different pestos. Would be good with chicken.