Caprese Bagel Sandwich

Learn how to pack this epic caprese bagel sandwich with creamy mozzarella and ripe tomatoes to ensure all those amazing textures stay tasting great until lunch!

Easy Bagel Sandwich

After holiday plates of ham and turkey, I know my teens will be craving something light but still filling to pack in their next school lunch. Picture this: a fresh Caprese salad + a bagel for an easy bagel sandwich without the afternoon slump!

The sturdy bagel holds up great against the juiciness of the tomatoes and cheese, so no soggy sandwich here! Extra ingredients? prep ahead a tomato mozzarella skewers snack box or this simple Caprese bento lunch for later in the week.

Ingredients

You can find exact measurements in the recipe card below, but here is everything you need to assemble this easy and satisfying bagel sandwich:

• Bagel: plain or whole wheat works great, but any variety will do. For a low-carb, gluten-free option, my everything cloud bagels are durable, soft, and just as delicious!
• Pesto: optional, but I find it really elevates the flavor of the other ingredients and gives this sandwich that wow factor.
• Grape tomatoes: halved for less mess in the lunchbox. You can substitute with 2 slices of a ripe tomato if preferred.
• Lettuce: adds crunch and keeps the sandwich feeling fresh.
• Fresh mozzarella cheese: a must for that irresistibly creamy taste!

How to Pack a Caprese Bagel Sandwich for School 

This caprese bagel sandwich is super simple to assemble making it the perfect quick lunch for teens to prep and pack themselves:

1. Assemble sandwich
   Spread pesto on each bagel half. Start with a base layer of lettuce on the bottom of the bagel. This creates a barrier to keep the bagel from absorbing moisture from the tomatoes and mozzarella. Next, add the sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil leaves.
2. Pack for School
   Close the bagel, slice it in half and pack it in a sturdy sandwich-sized lunch container to prevent it from getting squished in the lunch bag. Keep healthy sides separate and refrigerate everything until it's time to head out.

School Lunch Packing Tips

Packing sandwiches like a pro is a cinch by following these additional tips:

Use the right container
Using a hard, sandwich-sized container is the best way to keep your lunch fresh and appealing. The hard walls protect it from getting squished in the lunch bag.

Keep it cool
Mozzarella cheese and tomatoes should be kept cool so adding an ice pack is a good idea to regulate the temperature inside the lunch bag and keep everything safe to eat.

Choose a sturdy bagel
The firmer the bagel, the better it will hold up until lunchtime. You can also toast it for a stronger texture, but make sure to let it cool completely before assembling the sandwich.

More Bagel Sandwich Ideas

For more teen-approved lunch upgrades, try a turkey and swiss bagel sandwich or crunchy BLT bagel! Turn leftovers into an epic chicken bagel sandwich or load them into an everything bagel sandwich for a flavor-packed lunch!

Caprese Bagel Sandwich

Servings: 1

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Total Time: 5 minutes mins

Take a classic Caprese salad on the go with this easy deli-style bagel sandwich!

5 from 3 votes

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Ingredients

• 1 bagel, plain or whole wheat
• ½ tablespoon pesto, optional
• 4-5 grape tomatoes, halved (or substitute 2 slices of a ripe tomato)
• 2 leaves of fresh lettuce
• 2 slices fresh mozzarella cheese
• 4 fresh basil leaves

Instructions

Assemble Sandwich

• Spread pesto on one half of the bagel.
Layer lettuce on one bagel half. Top with grape tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil leaves and close with the second bagel half.

Pack it for school

• Slice the Caprese bagel sandwich in half and pack it in a hard lunch container. Keep healthy sides, like fresh fruit and veggies, separate. Refrigerate until ready to pack in a lunch bag with an ice pack to keep it cool.

Equipment

1 101 Packed Lunches

1 Kids Lunch Box

Nutrition

Serving: 1sandwich | Calories: 503kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 991mg | Potassium: 338mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1265IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 330mg | Iron: 2mg