Caprese Sandwich

If you love caprese salad, then you’ll love this Caprese Sandwich. Juicy ripe tomatoes are paired with slices of creamy mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes and a tangy-sweet balsamic glaze. Layer those ingredients between two slices of crusty ciabatta bread and you’ve got one delicious, no-cook lunch that’s packed with protein. The simple recipe is below, along with ideas on how to switch things up and Test Kitchen tips on everything from grocery store navigation to making your own balsamic glaze.

How to Make a Caprese Sandwich

1. Slice the Ciabatta

If you’re using ciabatta rolls, this task is easy. Use a bread knife to slice the rolls in half. If you’ve purchased a loaf of ciabatta, grab the bread knife and use it to make slices, about ½-inch thick. Don’t go any thinner than that—your fillings need a stable and sturdy surface that can hold up!

2. Rinse the Basil and Pat Dry

Fresh herbs should always be rinsed just before using. Since basil is delicate, it’s best to wash it gently. Fill a bowl with cold water and add the leaves. Swirl the water with your fingers to agitate and clean the leaves, then transfer to a clean towel and pat dry.

3. Prep the Tomato

The best knife for slicing tomatoes is a serrated one! Those little sharp teeth make it easy to slice through even the ripest, juiciest tomato. You can cut the tomatoes to fit your preference, but we prefer them at least ¼-inch thick. To remove some of the moisture, let them sit on a paper-towel-lined plate before adding to your sandwich.

Variations to Try

• Use a little pesto. For an even bigger boost of flavor, spread 1 teaspoon pesto onto one bread slice. This will increase calories, fat and sodium a bit, so keep that in mind if you’re following a specific diet.
• Make it hot. If you appreciate a bit of heat with your food, then consider adding 1/8  teaspoon of crushed red pepper or Calabrian chile paste to your sandwich. You can easily mix it in with the sun-dried tomatoes, adding as little or as much as you like.
• Add some greenery. There’s definitely room to add more greens to your caprese sandwich. Increase the basil to 1/3 cup and add a healthy handful of baby spinach or arugula for a bigger, greener boost.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too!

• The best caprese sandwiches use fresh mozzarella. It’s creamy and perfectly positioned for absorbing any excess juice from the tomatoes. Look for it either wrapped in plastic or in tubs, where it’s usually packed in liquid. We like the larger varieties, which are easy to slice into rounds for sandwiches.
• Choose firm, but ripe tomatoes. You can enjoy caprese sandwiches year-round, but they’re best with ripe, sweet tomatoes, which are commonly found during the summer months here in the U.S. Choose tomatoes that are firm, only giving slightly to light pressure, free of nicks or cuts and feel heavy for their size. Any variety will work well, so try heirloom varieties, Roma or beefsteak.
• Look for sun-dried tomatoes in the aisle with pasta sauces. The grocery store can be an overwhelming place, so it’s good to know where to find things before you visit. Sun-dried tomatoes are typically stashed in the aisle with the pasta and pasta sauces. Look for them in jars near the pesto and other prepared sauces. Use leftover sun-dried tomatoes in pasta, salad dressings and more.
• If you can’t find balsamic glaze, you can easily make your own. Simply put 1 cup balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan. Bring it to a boil over medium heat, then reduce to a simmer and cook until thickened, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool before using.

Nutrition Notes

• Basil is an herb that packs a big flavor without adding significant calories or salt. It also provides vitamin K, which is an important nutrient for bones, heart health and immunity.  
• Tomatoes contain carotenoids, which may help protect against certain types of cancer. Those same compounds contribute to healthy skin and can help reduce the risk of heart disease. 
• Mozzarella cheese is an excellent source of calcium, which promotes strong bones and lessens the risk of fractures and osteoporosis.