Herb-Infused Tomato and Mozzarella Panini
Grilled panini with fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and aromatic Italian herbs for a warm, melty sandwich. This Italian-inspired sandwich and wrap recipe, ready in about 15 minutes, pairs ciabatta bread, fresh mozzarella cheese, ripe tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 large loaf, sliced into 4 pieces ciabatta bread
- 8 oz, sliced fresh mozzarella cheese
- 2 medium, sliced ripe tomatoes
- 1/4 cup whole leaves fresh basil leaves
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat a panini press or grill pan to medium-high heat.
- Step 2: Brush 2 tbsp olive oil evenly over one side of each ciabatta slice. Sprinkle 1/2 tsp garlic powder and 1/2 tsp dried oregano on the oiled side. Season with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 3: On the un-oiled side of two bread slices, layer 8 oz sliced fresh mozzarella, 2 sliced ripe tomatoes, and 1/4 cup whole fresh basil leaves.
- Step 4: Top with the remaining bread slices, oiled side up, to form sandwiches.
- Step 5: Place the sandwiches on the heated panini press and grill for 4-5 minutes until the bread is golden and crispy and the mozzarella has melted.
- Step 6: Remove carefully, slice in half, and serve immediately while warm and melty.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Herb-Infused Tomato and Mozzarella Panini take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (10 min prep + 5 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Herb-Infused Tomato and Mozzarella Panini?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ciabatta bread from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Herb-Infused Tomato and Mozzarella Panini?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Herb-Infused Tomato and Mozzarella Panini for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Herb-Infused Tomato and Mozzarella Panini?
Italian sandwiches & wraps like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
