Turkey Pesto Panini Recipe
This Turkey Pesto Panini recipe is a delicious and easy-to-make sandwich featuring savory deli turkey, aromatic basil pesto, roasted red peppers, and melted provolone cheese, all pressed between crispy ciabatta or focaccia bread. Perfect for a satisfying lunch or quick dinner, this panini combines fresh flavors with a crispy, toasted texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 2 large paninis (serves 2-3 people) 1x
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Grilling/Skillet Panini Press
- Cuisine: American-Italian
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Bread
- 14 oz. ciabatta or focaccia bread (take and bake is perfect)
Spread
- 8 Tbsp. pesto (1/2 cup)
Fillings
- 8 oz. deli turkey
- 1 cup sliced roasted red peppers
- 4 oz. provolone cheese (8 thin slices)
Instructions
- Prepare the Bread: Bake the ciabatta or focaccia bread according to package instructions and allow it to cool slightly if needed. This ensures the bread is fresh and crisp for the panini.
- Spread Pesto: Evenly spread the pesto sauce on both cut sides of the bread. This adds a rich, herby flavor base to the sandwich.
- Add Fillings: Layer the sliced roasted red peppers, deli turkey, and provolone cheese onto one side of the prepared bread. Make sure to distribute the ingredients evenly for balanced flavor and texture.
- Assemble and Grill: Close the sandwich with the other slice of bread. Place the assembled panini in a lightly oiled nonstick skillet or grill pan over medium heat. Place a heavy pan or pot on top to press down the sandwich. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until the bottom is golden brown, then carefully flip the sandwich over, press again with the weight, and cook another 3-4 minutes until the cheese is melted and both sides are crisp and golden brown.
Notes
- Use fresh pesto or high-quality store-bought pesto for the best flavor.
- If you don’t have a heavy pan to press sandwiches, use a panini press or press gently with a spatula.
- Feel free to substitute provolone with mozzarella or Swiss cheese for variety.
- Roasted red peppers can be homemade or from a jar; just be sure to drain excess liquid to prevent soggy bread.
- Serve hot for the best taste and texture; paninis can be wrapped and stored in the fridge for up to 1 day.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 panini
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: Turkey Panini, Pesto Sandwich, Grilled Sandwich, Italian Sandwich, Quick Lunch Recipe
Find it online: https://thefoodrecipe.com/turkey-pesto-panini-recipe/
