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Alright, let’s set the stage… you are in the dog days of summer and the idea of cooking something hot for dinner sounds awful! You just want something fresh, delicious, minimal cooking and you can’t eat another grilled burger. That is the exact moment when we reach for these simple caprese sandwiches that were 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!
Looking for More Caprese Recipes?
If you love these fresh flavors as much as we do, you definitely need to try our Grilled Chicken Caprese or a Caprese Burger!
Key Ingredients + Substitutions
Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, & estimated nutritional information.
- bread – we typically use sourdough bread, but feel free to use foccacia bread, ciabatta rolls, or your favorite gluten-free bread.
- basil pesto – this sauce is so good and you can find it at your local grocery stores or make your own homemade pesto!
- fresh mozzarella cheese slices – highly recommend grabbing the thick slices or switch it up and try some burrata cheese or another favorite.
- arugula leaves – the flavor is so good, but we have also used fresh spinach or lettuce too!
- balsamic glaze – an essential ingredient when making any caprese recipes! Use a store-bought option to make a homemade balsamic glaze.
How To Make A Caprese Sandwich
Can I Add a Protein to a Caprese Sandwich?
Absolutely! This caprese sandwich recipe would also be great with some thinly sliced grilled chicken cutlets.
What To Eat With A Caprese Sandwich
This perfect caprese sandwich can be enjoyed all on it’s own for a meatless main course or you can add a side dish to round out the meal. We love to enjoy it with a strawberry spinach salad, fresh fruit, or since you already have the grill heated up you can make some grilled vegetables! 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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Caprese Sandwich Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Grill
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Description
The absolute BEST 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 cheese
- 2 thick slices fresh tomatoes
- 4 fresh basil leaves
- small handful of fresh arugula
- 1/2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tablespoon balsamic glaze
- sea salt and fresh cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Prep: Ensure grill grates are clean and preheat grill to a medium-high heat.
- Grill Bread: Spread butter on both sides of the bread slices. Place the slices directly on the grill grates 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. Cook over direct heat for 30-60 seconds (or until slightly charred). Flip for an additional 30-60 seconds. Transfer to plate.
- Assemble Sandwich: On one slice of grilled bread, spread some pesto on one side (be generous). Top with two slices of mozzarella, tomato, fresh basil, arugula and then drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze. Season with salt and pepper. Top with the other piece of grilled bread (feel free to put some pesto on that side too for good measure).
- Serve: Cut in half and enjoy!
Notes
- Melted: feel free to build the sandwich and place on a baking sheet in the oven at 400 degrees F for 5 or until the mozzarella cheese just starts to melt – you could also use a panini press or grill pan, if you wanted!
- Gluten-Free: option to use gluten-free bread here!
- No Grill? No problem! We have also used a large skillet on the stovetop to toast the bread and it works great. You won’t get the char marks, but it will toast up nicely and still be delicious!
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!!