Best Caprese Sandwich
Transport yourself to the streets of Italy with this classic Caprese sandwich, made simply with high quality ingredients like good bread, fresh mozzarella, basil, and ripe tomatoes.
Servings: 4 sandwiches (depends on size of rolls)
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
Serving: 1sandwich | Calories: 649kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 18g | Cholesterol: 90mg | Sodium: 994mg | Potassium: 494mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 2210IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 592mg | Iron: 1mg