Today, I’m excited to share my take on this classic with a Caprese twist and freshly made pesto. Please feel free to add whatever fillings your heart desires to suit your taste!
First, let’s gather all the fantastic ingredients needed for this sandwich. I love visiting my local farmers market and Italian store to pick up everything fresh.
Here is what you’ll need to gather together:
INGREDIENTS
This recipe makes either 1 Large or 2 smaller sandwiches
- pizza dough, homemade or store-bought
- extra-virgin olive oil
- fresh basil
- fresh mozzarella ball
- ripe tomatoes, sliced into ¼-inch thick rounds
- flaky sea salt or kosher salt (Maldon)
- fresh Parmesan
Creamy Basil Pesto Sauce (this makes extra!)
- fresh garlic
- roasted pine nuts or walnuts
- good quality olive oil
- fresh basil
- lemon
- freshly grated Parmesan
- fine sea salt
- Lots of freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pizza Dough
Begin by preheating your pizza oven or a conventional oven to a scorching 500°F (260°C). On a floured surface, roll out 16 ounces of pizza dough to your preferred thickness. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of a good quality, extra-virgin olive oil over the dough, then fold it in half to form a sturdy sandwich base. Transfer the dough to the preheated pizza oven/conventional oven and bake until it’s a light, golden-brown color around the edges.
Step 2: Make the Creamy Basil Pesto Sauce
I absolutely love this basil pesto sauce. Using a mortar and pestle or a food processor, start by adding 1-2 cloves of garlic, I love garlic so I add 2! ¼ cup of roasted pinenuts or walnuts, grinding them into a smooth paste. Incorporate ½ cup of fresh basil and the zesty juice of ½ a lemon, continuing to blend. Gradually pour in ¼ cup of high-quality olive oil while mixing until you achieve a silky consistency. Finally, mix in ¼ cup of freshly grated Parmesan, ¼ teaspoon of fine sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Be sure to prepare extra for dipping your sandwich at the end!
Step 3: Assemble the Sandwich
Once the dough is baked to perfection, lightly spread the luscious pesto sauce over half of the pizza dough. Slice the mozzarella ball into sumptuous rounds and layer them generously over the pesto. Add 2 medium ripe tomatoes, sliced into ¼-inch thick rounds, on top of the mozzarella, and sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt or kosher salt over the tomatoes for enhanced flavor. Top with 12 fresh basil leaves, scattering them over the tomatoes and cheese.
Step 4: Finish and Serve
Fold the sandwich in half, pressing gently to ensure the ingredients melt together. Slice the sandwich into two portions for easier handling, and serve with any of the delicious leftover creamy basil pesto sauce on the side for dipping. Enjoy this combination of flavors in every bite!
Enjoy your Panuozzo Caprese-style sandwich, perfect for a meal at home that brings a piece of Italy to your table. Don’t forget to share your creations and let me know how you enjoyed this recipe!
If you’re craving a taste of Italy, this Panuozzo Caprese-style sandwich is just what you need. Using pizza dough and a blend of fresh ingredients, this sandwich offers a deliciously crispy bite with the classic flavors of a Caprese salad.
Enjoy your delicious Panuozzo Caprese-style sandwich, and don’t forget to share your creations with me!
Drop a comment below! I would love to hear from you!
This delightful Panuozzo Caprese-style sandwich brings the flavors of Italy straight to your kitchen. The combination of crispy pizza dough, creamy mozzarella, fresh tomatoes, and aromatic pesto makes for an irresistible meal. Whether you’re hosting a casual lunch or looking for a new recipe to impress your family, this sandwich is sure to become a favorite.
Buon appetito!
Panuozzo Caprese-Style Sandwich
Ingredients
- 453.5 grams (16 oz) Pizza Dough homemade or store bought
- 1 tbsp Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Good quality
- 12 leaves Basil fresh
- 227 grams (8 oz) Fresh Mozzarella
- 2 medium Tomatoes ripe
- to taste Flaky sea salt or kosher salt
- Parmasean fresh
Creamy Basil Pesto Sauce (this makes extra!)
- 1-2 cloves Garlic add 2 if you like it garlicky
- ¼ Cup Roasted Pine Nuts or Walnuts
- ¼ cup Olive Oil good quality
- 2 tbsp Lemon Juice juice from hald a lemon
- ½ cup Basil lightly packed, fresh
- ¼ cup Parmesan freshly grated
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- to taste Lots of freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Heat your pizza oven or regular oven to 500°F (260°C).
- Prepare the Dough: Roll out the pizza dough, drizzle with olive oil, and fold in half. Transfer the dough to the oven and bake until it turns lightly golden around the edges.
- Make the Pesto Sauce: Using a mortar and pestle or a food processor, grind the garlic and roasted pine nuts into a paste. Add the basil and fresh lemon juice, and continue to mix. Gradually add olive oil until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. Mix in more Parmesan, salt, and pepper to taste until smooth. Set aside.
- Assemble the Sandwich: Spread the pesto over half of the cooked pizza dough. Layer with mozzarella rounds and top with sliced tomatoes. Sprinkle the tomatoes lightly with flaky salt and add whole basil leaves.
- Finish and Serve: Fold the sandwich in half and slice it into two portions. Serve with extra basil sauce for dipping.