A quick and easy recipe for a delicious Caprese Sandwich! Made with toasted bread, fresh tomato slices, mozzarella cheese, pesto sauce, and a handful of fresh arugula. This simple caprese sandwich is quickly going to become your new go-to sandwich of the summer!
The Best Caprese Sandwich Recipe
In those hot summer months we love nothing more than a quick and easy recipe that uses simple ingredients and minimal cooking. These simple caprese sandwiches are inspired by our favorite summer salad, the classic caprese salad! It is a family favorite recipe that has become our go-to meal in late summer. Perfect for when ripe tomatoes, arugula, and sweet basil are bursting from the garden. They can also be wrapped up to enjoy at the park for a family summer picnic!
If you are looking to add a little protein to the traditional caprese flavors you should definitely try our Caprese Burgers or Grilled Chicken Caprese!
What You Will Need
- foccacia or sourdough bread – just grab your favorite sturdy slices of bread or french baguette from your local grocery store.
- butter – spread on the bread to get it perfectly toasted on the grill!
- basil pesto – option to keep it easy and buy a store-bought pesto or make your own homemade pesto sauce (or this dairy-free recipe).
- mozzarella slices – typically you can find a fresh mozzarella cheese ball and cut it into thick slices or grab one that is pre-sliced.
- juicy tomato slices – we always have a variety of juicy tomatoes bursting from the garden, this time of year. They are perfect for this easy recipe!
- fresh basil – this fresh herb is also a garden staple every year.
- arugula – this adds a nice pop of color and some crisp green to the sandwich.
- extra-virgin olive oil & balsamic glaze – add a generous drizzle to the sandwich for some great flavor!
- sea salt & freshly cracked black pepper – simple seasonings that are always a must!
How To Make A Caprese Sandwich
This simple sandwich recipe comes together with simple, classic ingredients. For best results, we highly recommend making your own balsamic glaze and pesto! Both easy recipes that are full of flavor.
Now grab a slice of bread and spread some butter on both sides. Continue this process with all pieces of bread. Place the buttered bread in a single layer on the hot grill grates. Cook or char the bread for about 30-60 seconds on each side on medium heat.
Now spread a generous dollop of pesto on one of the pieces of grilled bread. Now start stacking on the sandwich fillings.
Add a drizzle of balsamic glaze (or balsamic reduction) and olive oil. Finally, place another slice of grilled bread on top.
Best Ways To Serve A Caprese Sandwich
This perfect caprese sandwich can be enjoyed all on it’s own for a main course or you can add a side dish to round out the meal. We love to enjoy it with a side salad, fresh fruit, or since you already have the grill heated up you can grill up some fresh veggies! Or if you want to make it a chicken caprese sandwich you can easily toss some chicken breasts on the grill and add it right in the middle. It has quickly become a new family favorite recipe!
Made this recipe and loved it?! We would love it if you would take a minute and leave a star rating and review – it is also helpful if you made any substitutions or changes to the recipe to share that as well. THANK YOU!
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Other Summer Recipes You Might Like
Caprese Sandwich Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Counter Top
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Description
Caprese Sandwich – a delicious caprese sandwich recipe made with pesto, grilled bread, arugula and all the classic flavors!
Ingredients
Grilled Bread:
- 2 slices foccacia bread or sourdough bread
- 1–2 tablespoons butter, room temperature
Sandwich Fillings:
- 2–4 tablespoons pesto
- 2 thick slices fresh mozzarella
- 2 thick slices fresh tomatoes
- 4 fresh basil leaves
- small handful arugula
- 1/2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tablespoon balsamic glaze
- sea salt
- fresh cracked black pepper
Instructions
Grilled Bread:
- Ensure grill grates are clean and preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- Using a butter knife lightly spread butter on both sides of the bread slices.
- Place the slices on the grill over high heat, butter-side down. You may have some flare-ups, but you can actually keep the grill lid open and let the flames char the bread. Leave the bread over direct heat approximately 30-60 seconds (or until slightly charred). Flip for an additional 30-60 seconds. Transfer to plate.
Build Sandwich:
- Add pesto to one piece of bread (be generous).
- Top with two slices of mozzarella, tomato, fresh basil, arugula and then drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze. Season with sea salt or kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper.
- Top with the other piece of grilled bread (feel free to put some pesto on that side too for good measure). Cut in halve and enjoy!
Notes
- Melted: feel free to build your sandwich and then place on a baking sheet and place in the oven at 400 degrees F for 5 or so minutes or until the mozzarella cheese just starts to melt – you could also use a panini press or grill pan, if you wanted!
- Gluten-Free: feel free to use gluten-free bread here!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 407
- Sugar: 4.3 g
- Sodium: 1203.9 mg
- Fat: 16.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 24.6 g
- Protein: 40.7 g
- Cholesterol: 35.6 mg
Stefanie T says
Best caprese sandwich!! Don’t sleep on making the fresh pesto. Super easy, and soo flavorful. My picky husband even enjoyed this. Thank you Erin for a great recipe!!
Erin says
So glad you enjoyed this one, Stefanie!!
Bridget Montag says
The best sandwich ever! I have made this at least 3 or 4 times in the last 2 weeks!! So good!!