Description
A quick and gourmet grilled sandwich featuring fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and basil on crispy ciabatta or sourdough bread, ready in under 15 minutes.
Ingredients
- Fresh mozzarella (small-curd or balls), sliced or torn
- Ripe vine-ripened tomatoes, sliced thinly
- Fresh basil leaves
- Ciabatta or sourdough bread
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper
- Balsamic glaze (optional)
Instructions
- Slice fresh mozzarella into 1/4 inch rounds and pat dry. Slice tomatoes to match thickness and pat dry. Season tomatoes generously with salt and pepper.
- Slice bread horizontally. Brush one side of each slice with olive oil.
- Assemble sandwich on un-oiled side: layer mozzarella, seasoned tomatoes, basil, and another layer of mozzarella. Drizzle with balsamic glaze if using. Top with second bread slice, oiled side up.
- Heat a skillet or cast iron pan over medium heat for 2 minutes. Add a small amount of olive oil.
- Place sandwich in pan and press gently. Cook for 4-5 minutes until deep golden brown.
- Flip sandwich carefully. Press gently and cook for 3-4 minutes until cheese is melted and bread is crisp. Cover with lid if needed to melt cheese.
- Remove from pan and let rest for 2 minutes before slicing diagonally and serving.
Notes
Pat tomatoes and cheese dry to prevent soggy bread. Use medium heat to avoid burning bread before cheese melts. Let sandwich rest before cutting to allow cheese to set. Can be made vegan by swapping cheese for vegan mozzarella or avocado.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Lunch
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 18
Keywords: grilled caprese sandwich, easy lunch, italian sandwich, mozzarella, tomato basil, quick recipes, summer lunch