Italian-Style Panini with Prosciutto and Pesto

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-02 · Updated 2026-05-02

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Toasted panini stacked with salty prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, and bright basil pesto for a satisfying Italian street-inspired sandwich. This Italian-inspired street-food recipe, ready in about 15 minutes, pairs ciabatta bread, fresh mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced prosciutto for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 5 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 420 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1 loaf (about 10 inches) ciabatta bread
6 oz, sliced fresh mozzarella cheese
4 oz thinly sliced prosciutto
3 tbsp basil pesto
2 tbsp olive oil
1 cup arugula
1/4 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

Step 1: Slice the ciabatta loaf into 4 equal sandwich-sized pieces, then slice each piece horizontally to create sandwich halves.
Step 2: Spread 3 tablespoons basil pesto evenly on the bottom halves of the bread.
Step 3: Layer 6 ounces sliced fresh mozzarella, 4 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto, and 1 cup fresh arugula over the pesto.
Step 4: Season the arugula with 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, then cover with the top halves of the bread.
Step 5: Brush the outside of each sandwich with 2 tablespoons olive oil, then heat a panini press or grill pan over medium heat.
Step 6: Place the sandwiches on the press and cook for 4-5 minutes until the bread is golden brown and crisp, and the mozzarella is melted.
Step 7: Remove, slice in half, and serve warm.