Transport yourself to the streets of Italy with this Caprese sandwich, made simply with high quality ingredients like good bread, fresh mozzarella, basil, and ripe tomatoes.
It’s the perfect lunch. It’s the perfect dinner. You really can’t go wrong with a simple, portable Caprese sandwich made the way Italians meant it to be. Although there are some variations, this recipe is a classic take on a Caprese salad but in sandwich form, with one little twist!
Italian ciabatta bread is chewy and flavorful, stacked with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, balsamic, olive oil, and coarse salt. The tiny twist? The ciabatta is slightly heated in the oven to refresh them, and they’re rubbed with garlic warm out of the oven so each roll is scented with a hint of garlic. I mean…come on! No other words are needed. Let’s make these sammies!
Loving Caprese but don’t want the carbs? Try this Bruschetta Chicken with all the flavors of Caprese over deliciously grilled or baked chicken.
Caprese Sandwich Ingredients
- Ciabatta rolls – ciabatta is classic! Try to find long, rectangular ciabatta rolls (the amounts in this recipe are specifically for this). If you can’t find them, grocery stores often have smaller square rolls. If you can’t find those either, you can buy a full ciabatta loaf and cut it into 4 sandwiches, or use a baguette, focaccia, or other bread or rolls.
- Fresh mozzarella – I like pre-sliced fresh mozzarella to make life easy! You can also slice your own, or even buy buffalo mozzarella for a creamier version!
- Campari or Roma tomatoes – I love Campari tomatoes. They’re usually nice and ripe and meaty. Roma tomatoes are also classic. If you can’t find either, you can use cocktail tomatoes, regular tomatoes, or heirlooms.
- Fresh basil – you can’t beat it! You can also use pesto if preferred.
- Garlic – garlic rubbed on the ciabatta adds amazing flavor. You can opt out of the garlic if preferred.
- Good-quality thick balsamic vinegar – look for words like drizzle, glaze or reduction on the bottle. Also look for no sugar added. Good quality balsamic is naturally sweet!
- Extra virgin olive oil – look for good quality olive oil from Italy for the most authentic result.
- Coarse finishing salt – coarse sea salt or fleur de sel are great finishing salts for Caprese sandwiches!
Variations
Here are some additional ingredients and variations on the classic Caprese sandwich:
- Protein: Prosciutto, turkey, salami, bacon, or Baked Chicken Thighs
- Cheese Variations: Burrata, provolone, or goat cheese
- Vegetables: Avocado, roasted red peppers, arugula, spinach, caramelized onions, or sun-dried tomatoes
- Condiments: Pesto, hummus, tapenade, aioli, honey mustard, or hot sauce
- Bread Options: Sourdough, multigrain, pita, rye, brioche, or flatbread
How to Make a Caprese Sandwich
Learn how to make the perfect Caprese sandwich every time. Full instructions in the recipe card; this is just an outline!
- Prepare.
Preheat oven to the broil setting. Using a sharp knife, slice the rolls lengthwise to create both top and bottom pieces.
- Broil.
Arrange the cut sides of the rolls facing up on a baking sheet. Broil the bread for a brief 2-4 minutes until it warms and just starts to toast.
- Flavor.
Once out of the oven, rub a peeled garlic clove on each piece of bread. You might not need the entire clove.
- Moisten.
Drizzle each piece with olive oil, making sure to be generous without saturating.
- Layer.
Place mozzarella slices over each bottom piece, ensuring full coverage. Add tomato slices to completely cover the mozzarella. Layer basil leaves over the tomatoes.
- Drizzle.
Drizzle the bottom halves with balsamic and sprinkle with salt.
- Serve.
Complete the sandwiches by adding the top halves. If desired, cut the sandwiches in half. Now it’s time to enjoy!
Tips for Making the Best Caprese Sandwich
- If you can’t find ciabatta, you can also use focaccia, a baguette, or really any other bread or rolls you like!
- I like to buy pre-sliced fresh mozzarella to make life easier! You can slice your own mozzarella or even use buffalo mozzarella!
- I love Campari tomatoes because they are meaty and usually red and ripe. Roma tomatoes are also classic on Caprese sandwiches.
- Look for words like “drizzle”, “glaze” or “reduction” on the balsamic vinegar bottle.
- Warming the bread and rubbing it with garlic are optional steps (but my favorite parts!).
- Caprese sandwiches are best enjoyed right away, but can be left on a platter for up to 2 hours or refrigerated for 1-2 days!
Caprese Sandwich Serving Suggestions
Caprese sandwiches are a perfect meal on their own, but if you’re looking for delicious serving suggestions, here are some options!
- Side salad: try simple dressed greens, or a Italian Salad.
- Soup: how about a bowl of Chicken and Rice Soup?
- Antipasto platter: include as part of a spread, cutting sandwiches into small pieces.
- Grilled or roasted vegetables: I love simple Broiled Asparagus.
- Chips or crisps: complete the meal with a satisfying crunch.
- Mixed Olives: Marinated Olives are the best!
More Sandwich Recipes You’ll Love!
Classic Caprese Sandwich
Ingredients
- 4-6 ciabatta rolls, see notes for details and alternatives
- 1 pound fresh mozzarella, sliced
- 1 ½ pounds fresh Campari or Roma tomatoes, cut into roughly ½ inch slices
- 1 large handful fresh basil leaves
- 1 large garlic clove, peeled
- Good-quality thick balsamic vinegar
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Coarse finishing salt, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to broil. Slice rolls lengthwise with a sharp knife to create tops and bottoms.
- Lay the tops and bottoms cut-side up on a baking sheet. Broil bread for 2-4 minutes until warm and just starting to toast.
- Remove from the oven and rub the peeled garlic clove on each piece of bread. You may not use the whole clove.
- Drizzle each piece will olive oil (generously but not soaking).
- Lay mozzarella slices across each bottom piece of bread, covering completely. Add tomato slices, completely covering the mozzarella. Add basil leaves, completely covering the tomato slices.
- Drizzle bottom halves with balsamic. Sprinkle with salt.
- Add top halves. Slice sandwiches in halve if desired. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Ciabatta is classic! The amounts listed above are specifically for 4 long, rectangular ciabatta roll sandwiches. If you can only find small square rolls, this recipe will yield about 6 sandwiches. If you use a full ciabatta loaf, it will yield about 4 large sandwiches. If you can’t find ciabatta, you can also use focaccia, a baguette, or really any other bread or rolls you desire.
- I like to buy pre-sliced fresh mozzarella to make life easier! You can slice your own mozzarella if preferred. You can also use buffalo mozzarella!
- I love Campari tomatoes because they are meaty and usually red and ripe. Roma tomatoes are also classic on Caprese sandwiches. If you can’t find either, you can use cocktail tomatoes, regular ripe tomatoes or heirlooms.
- Look for words like “drizzle”, “glaze” or “reduction” on the balsamic vinegar bottle. I also prefer balsamic vinegar that has no added sugar since good balsamic is sweetened by the grapes themselves.
- Warming the bread and rubbing it with garlic are optional steps (but my favorite parts!)
- Caprese sandwiches are best enjoyed right away, but can be left on a platter for up to 2 hours or refrigerated for 1-2 days!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I made these for dinner tonight. I thoroughly enjoyed them!
John,
Thanks for letting me know! I’m so glad they turned out well.
Grace