Grilled Caprese Panini

DifficultyBeginner

This is a classic sandwich I love to make in our home. It’s super simple, tasty and packed with healthy nutrients. I especially enjoy using fresh tomatoes, basil and red onion from our garden when assembling this delicious meal.

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Yields2 Servings
Prep Time15 minsCook Time10 minsTotal Time25 mins
 4 slices whole grain bread
 6 oz mozzarella cheesethinly sliced into 4 pieces
 1 medium tomatothinly sliced
 ¼ cup red onionthinly sliced
 1 tsp butter
 salt and pepper to taste
 6 basil leavesno stems
1

Grab your griddle pan and place on your stove. Turn heat to medium and melt butter over the top once it comes to temperature. If you don’t have a griddle pan to achieve the panini marks, you can use a large cast iron pan or non-stick if preferred.

2

Grab two pieces of bread and top each with a slice of mozzarella. Layer half of the tomatoes, onion, and basil on each sandwich. Season both with salt and pepper. Add another slice of mozzarella to each sandwich and cover with another piece of bread to complete the paninis.

3

Place a saucepan about the size of the bread over the top of the sandwich and gently press down so the bottom presses into the griddle. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Watch carefully to make sure the bread does not get too browned.

4

Take your spatula, gently flip the panini on its second side, and press the saucepan over the top of the sandwich to create griddle marks on the other half of the sandwich. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

5

Take panini to cutting board and slice sandwich in half. Serve immediately!

6

NOTES: For the meat lovers in your life, add grilled chicken or grab an already made rotisserie chicken on the way home from work and save yourself some time prepping. This goes great with tomato basil soup, salad, or fresh fruit for lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

 4 slices whole grain bread
 6 oz mozzarella cheesethinly sliced into 4 pieces
 1 medium tomatothinly sliced
 ¼ cup red onionthinly sliced
 1 tsp butter
 salt and pepper to taste
 6 basil leavesno stems

Directions

1

Grab your griddle pan and place on your stove. Turn heat to medium and melt butter over the top once it comes to temperature. If you don’t have a griddle pan to achieve the panini marks, you can use a large cast iron pan or non-stick if preferred.

2

Grab two pieces of bread and top each with a slice of mozzarella. Layer half of the tomatoes, onion, and basil on each sandwich. Season both with salt and pepper. Add another slice of mozzarella to each sandwich and cover with another piece of bread to complete the paninis.

3

Place a saucepan about the size of the bread over the top of the sandwich and gently press down so the bottom presses into the griddle. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Watch carefully to make sure the bread does not get too browned.

4

Take your spatula, gently flip the panini on its second side, and press the saucepan over the top of the sandwich to create griddle marks on the other half of the sandwich. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

5

Take panini to cutting board and slice sandwich in half. Serve immediately!

6

NOTES: For the meat lovers in your life, add grilled chicken or grab an already made rotisserie chicken on the way home from work and save yourself some time prepping. This goes great with tomato basil soup, salad, or fresh fruit for lunch or dinner.

Grilled Caprese Panini