Caprese Sandwich with Pesto

This Caprese sandwich is a delicious version of the classic made with pesto, juicy, ripe tomato, Mozzarella, and hearty bread.

If you’re looking for a new sandwich to pack for lunch, this is it! It’s fresh, full of flavor, and so easy to assemble.

While we love the classic Caprese combination, the addition of pesto makes this a more kid-friendly option since it doesn’t involve eating entire green leaves.

The pesto acts as a spread and helps the tomato and cheese adhere to the bread- not to mention its cheesy, savory flavor is always a winner.

The photo above is my adult Caprese sandwich, with full basil leaves, but the kid-friendly version shared below is always a winner too! It just might be harder to grab a photo as the kids dash out the door to school ;)

Ingredients

This Caprese Sandwich is made with only 4 easy to find ingredients. Here’s what you need: 

• Hearty bread- French baguette, ciabatta, sourdough
• Basil pesto or my Homemade Broccoli Pesto
• Ripe tomatoes
• Mozzarella or Burrata cheese- more on this below

When it comes to cheese, fresh, whole milk Mozzarella is best for Caprese. If it’s not available at your local grocery store, the vacuum-sealed Mozzarella ball also works. Both are usually found in the deli section, next to specialty cheeses. 

If you’re looking for more recipes to fill the lunchbox, the new 101 Packed Lunches eBook has all sorts of recipes for power bowls, yummy wraps, sandwiches, and hot lunches that are kid-approved and great for larger appetites, so teens and adults aren’t left out. 

How to Make a Caprese Sandwich with Pesto

Grab those ingredients, and let’s assemble this Caprese Sandwich! 

Make a base
Spread the pesto over one bread half. 

Layer
Top with cheese, tomato, and finish with the fresh basil.

Assemble
Top the sandwich with the remaining bread half and enjoy! 

Related: More delicious sandwich filling ideas here!

Feel free to add leftover grilled chicken or Italian deli meat like prosciutto or salami to this sandwich for additional protein. While it won’t be the classic Caprese combination, it is no less delicious and sure to win the kids over.