Picnic-Style Rustic Tomato and Mozzarella Sandwich

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-20 · Updated 2026-06-20

A fresh, handheld sandwich combining ripe tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and basil for a perfect picnic meal. This Mediterranean-inspired sandwich and wrap recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 15 minutes, pairs ciabatta roll, ripe tomato, fresh mozzarella for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 1, 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 ciabatta roll
• 1 medium, sliced 1/4 inch thick ripe tomato
• 4 oz, sliced 1/4 inch thick fresh mozzarella
• 6 fresh basil leaves
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp, freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Slice 1 large ciabatta roll horizontally and lightly toast it in a preheated oven at 375°F for 5 minutes until slightly crispy.
2. Step 2: Drizzle 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil and 1 tsp balsamic vinegar evenly on both halves of the toasted ciabatta, then season with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper.
3. Step 3: Layer 1 medium sliced ripe tomato (about 1/4 inch thick slices) evenly on the bottom half, followed by 4 oz sliced fresh mozzarella (1/4 inch thick), and 6 fresh basil leaves.
4. Step 4: Close the sandwich with the top ciabatta half, press gently, slice in half, and serve immediately or wrap for a picnic.