Caprese Sandwich with Parsley Pesto
This vegan Caprese Sandwich layers thick slices of fresh tomato with herbaceous parsley pesto and creamy plant-based mozzarella, all on a crusty bread. The perfect summer lunch!
There’s a time and a place for an over-the-top sandwich piled high with toppings, and there’s also a time to keep it simple. This vegan Caprese sandwich is an example of the latter—it’s full of big, bold, bright flavours, but you don’t need eleventy-billion different ingredients to achieve that. All you need are tomatoes, pesto, vegan mozzarella, and bread!
Traditionally, Caprese is an Italian salad made with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil, then drizzled with olive oil. If you like to stick with tradition, you can layer your sandwich with basil leaves or basil pesto, but I highly recommend breaking with tradition and trying parsley pesto instead. It’s nutty, garlicky, and brings a bright herbal note to the table.
Also not traditional? The vegan mozzarella.
Is Vegan Mozzarella Any Good?
If you’ve been vegan for a while, you know that in recent years, plant-based cheese makers have upped their game in a big way. Today’s vegan mozzarella is creamy, milky, and has a stretchy texture very much like a dairy mozzarella.
In this recipe, I used slices of vegan mozzarella, but if you can’t find them locally, you can use more readily-available mozzarella shreds instead, or substitute slabs of homemade tofu feta.
If you’re especially lucky, your grocery store might sell balls of cashew milk mozzarella, which mimic the flavour and texture of fresh mozzarella. This type of vegan mozzarella is especially good on a Caprese sandwich!
Notes on Ingredients
Please note that this is important information on the ingredients and instructions and the FULL recipe with amounts and details can be found DOWN BELOW (scroll to it) in the recipe card.
- French bread
- Tomato – Choose a medium tomato that fits the width of your bread without a lot of overhang. Heirloom tomatoes are great for this recipe!
- Vegan mozzarella cheese slices
- Parsley pesto – Make my parsley pesto recipe, or you can substitute another vegan pesto that you enjoy.
Are Roma tomatoes good for sandwiches?
Yes, Roma tomatoes are good for sandwiches because they tend to have fewer seeds and less liquid than many other tomato varieties. While many people know Romas as the go-to tomato for making sauce, they’re perfect for sandwiches too!
How to Make a Vegan Caprese Sandwich
Although these instructions are for a warm caprese sandwich, you can also serve this cold and skip the panini press!
Assemble. Layer the mozzarella and tomato slices on one slice of bread, then spread the pesto onto another. Place the slice with the pesto on top, with the pesto side facing in.
Cook. Place the sandwich on a panini press and cook on medium for about 5 minutes, or until the bread is toasty and the cheese has melted.
Serve. Remove the sandwich from the panini press, then cut it in half before serving.
Do You Butter Bread for the Panini Press?
You can spread vegan butter (or oil) on the outside of your sandwich before placing it in the panini press for a crispier exterior, but it’s not necessary.
Tips for Success
Here are some hints and tips for a perfect sandwich!
- No panini press? No worries! You can cook the sandwich on a griddle or in a skillet, then place a smaller skillet on top to press it down.
- A note on the bread. French bread isn’t the same as a baguette; while both are crusty, a baguette is much crispier on the outside and not well-suited for making a panini.
- Making it your own. You can substitute the fresh tomatoes for sun-dried or roasted tomatoes, or if you’re not a tomato fan, you can use roasted red peppers.
How to Store Leftovers
You can store any leftover sandwiches wrapped in the refrigerator for about 2 days. Reheat them in a 350ºF oven until they’re warmed through. (The microwave will work too, but an oven will restore some of the sandwich’s crispiness.)
Can This Recipe Be Frozen?
This recipe isn’t ideal for freezing; after freezing and thawing, the tomatoes will release a lot of liquid into the bread, resulting in a mushy sandwich. If you’re looking for a freezer-friendly lunch idea, try my vegan burritos instead!
Enjoy friends! If you make this vegan Caprese Sandwich recipe, please snap a photo and tag #jessicainthekitchen on Instagram! We’d also love it if you would leave a comment below, and give the recipe a rating! Thanks so much!
Caprese Sandwich with Parsley Pesto
Ingredients
- 2 slices French bread, gluten free if you’re gluten free
- 1 medium tomato, sliced
- 3 slices vegan mozzarella cheese, halved
- 3 tablespoons Parsley Pesto
Instructions
- Layer the mozzarella cheese slices and tomato slices along the bottom of the sandwich.
- Spread the parsley pesto on the top of the sandwich. Press the sandwich closed. Toast in a panini machine on medium for about 5 minutes, until crispy and cheese is melted.
- Remove, cut in half and enjoy!
Notes
Disclaimer: Although jessicainthekitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Jessicainthekitchen.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.
Oh, I love the idea of more tropical recipes–that would be an awesome reflection of your lifestyle! I’m sorry to hear about the leg, though–chin up, girl, you’ve got some sunshine and great recipes waiting for you! And I hope the smile-thoughts journaling has been going well (I hope I’m not misremembering–that was you, right? 🙂 ). I do love the freshness of this recipe, since it’s always balmy and nice here as well. Cheers, dear!
Thanks so much for the motivation Ala 🙂 !!
You’re not misremembering 🙂 that was me! I haven’t done it in a few days THANK YOU for the reminder!! *kicks butt*
Jessica, I would LOVE to see some Jamaican recipes here. Please please please!
Hope your leg gets back to normal very soon … I can imagine how frustrating that must be for you. In the meantime, though, at least you can cheer yourself up a bit by eating more of these beautiful sandwiches. Love your photos!
Haha thanks Helen! Sharing very soon!
This kind of sandwich is always my sandwich of choice — I love caprese, and the parsley pesto sounds delicious! Being near the water always makes me happier, too, and I can’t wait to see your tropical/Jamaican recipes! 🙂
Thanks Marcie and can’t wait to share!
You’ve inspired me to make this for lunch very soon…might have to go with my jarred pesto this time but I’m going to the farmer’s market tomorrow morning and should be able to gather the rest of the ingredients there. Thanks!
Thanks Monica! Wish I was going with you! 🙂
Ugh, I’m so sorry about your leg!!! You poor thing. But I’m certain this amazing caprese sandwich put a smile on your face…as it would bring a smile to mine!! Good to see you back!
Thanks so much Liz!
First of all: sorry to hear about your foot! :'( That must be so terrible eek. I really hope you feel better soon Jess!
On the bright side, this might just be the most delicious sandwich I’ve ever seen! It looks so summery and fresh – what a flawless combo os flavors! I cannot wait for summer so as to be done with all of my exams and get back to cooking, because this beaut is definitely on my list ;—)
Get well soon & lots of hugs!!!
Thanks Consuelo!
And good luck on your last exams!!!
Nice, very nice. I should make this since parsley is more local here than basil! Thanks, beautiful sandwiches….just the way i like them!
ela h.
Thanks Ela! Yes try it out!
This looks amazing, Jess! I love the idea of using parsley pesto, that sounds so delicious. This is my kind of recipe, love all that oozy mozzarella cheese mixed with the pesto, tomatoes and toasted bread, Definitely going to try this one out! 🙂
Thanks Jess!
This sandwich looks AMAZING and so beautiful, I wish the sunlight here was just as good, either that or you have your photos timed for the perfect light, they are gorgeous!!! Hope the leg is healing well and kudos for keeping up with the blog!!
Aw thanks Sophia!!
Girl that sandwich is amazing!!! The cheese oozing out is everything!
Thanks Jocelyn!