Welcome to sandwich heaven. Roast slices of eggplant until soft and delicious, then pile onto your favourite Italian style bread with pesto, spinach, sundried tomatoes and mozzarella. Grill in a sandwich press and savour every bite of the best toasted veggie sandwich ever!
Occasionally, I cautiously declare something to be ‘the best’. Except when it’s these incredible Greek potatoes which I very confidently declare to be the best recipe ever 😉
But we’re not talking about potatoes today. We’re talking about an incredible Italian toasted sandwich filled with roasted eggplant, pesto, mozzarella cheese and other yummy Italian goodies. When I first tried something like it a few years ago in a neighbourhood cafe I decided it was the best veggie sandwich ever, and I haven’t changed my mind yet.
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Why you’ll love it too
- It’s the sort of recipe that makes good quality fresh ingredients shine. Simple and delicious, but also a bit special. Friends popping over for a casual lunch? Make this!
- It’s easier to make than it looks. Once you’ve roasted the eggplant, all you have to do is open packets and jars and throw it all on! Make a quick fresh pesto if you like. If you want to keep it really quick, buy a good quality ready made one instead.
- It’s healthy – don’t you think? It’s a perfect veggie option, but the roasted eggplant makes the overall effect quite ‘meaty’.
- It’s easy to make it vegan if you like. Skip the cheese and add avocado or hummus.
About the ingredients
For the sandwich
Eggplant/Aubergine: You’ll need around half a medium eggplant. Slice it into 1/2 cm (roughly) slices lengthwise, so that you have nice big slices of eggplant. Don’t worry if they aren’t all absolutely equal. The thinner parts will be crispier which makes for extra deliciousness on your sandwich!
Tip: Sometimes I roast the whole of the eggplant so that I can freeze some of the slices for next time. Another option is to make this easy moussaka and use any leftover eggplant slices to make this sandwich!
Olive oil: You’ll need this for 1. brushing the eggplant slices all over with before roasting them 2. making your pesto if you’re going to make your own 3. brushing over the outside of the bread before pressing your sandwich. Try to use a good quality extra virgin olive oil because you’ll be able to taste the difference.
Bread: Use your favourite Italian style bread for the best results. I really like focaccia, ciabatta or Turkish bread. To be honest though, even a really nice thick sliced bread from a fresh loaf would work.
Spinach: You just need a couple of small handfuls. I use spinach because it wilts perfectly as you cook your sandwich. No need to precook!
Mozzarella: I usually use some sliced mini balls of mozzarella (they’re called bocconcini here in Australia) just because they’re widely available. Feel free to use a sliced big ball of mozzarella, however, or even just grated pizza style mozzarella!
Sundried tomatoes: Use sundried, semi-dried, or just some really nice ripe ordinary tomatoes.
For the homemade pesto (optional!)
Homemade pesto: It’s really quick and easy to make a quick batch of pesto. You just need a small clove of garlic, a handful each of fresh basil, grated parmesan and some kind of nut. I use peanuts because of a tree nut allergy, but pine nuts, pistachios, almonds, hazelnuts, or a mixture all work well. Blend with enough olive oil to make a spreadable pesto and you’re done.
How to make it
Step 1: The first thing to do is to get your eggplant slices roasting. Brush them on both sides with a little olive oil, then roast for about 25 minutes or until soft and golden. There might be some crispy bits – lucky you!
Step 2: Meanwhile, make a quick batch of pesto if you’re making your own. Throw all the ingredients into a mini food processor if you have one. Pulse until well combined but still a bit chunky. Add a little more olive oil if necessary. You want it to be spreadable, but not super runny.
Then lay out your sandwich halves and get ready to pile everything on!
Step 3: Spread both pieces of your bread generously with the pesto.
Step 4: Then pile on some spinach.
Step 5: Eggplant slices done? Divide them between the sandwiches. I usually fold the slices in half before piling them on. 3 slices per sandwich is about right. Top with your mozzarella.
Step 7/8: If you have some leftover spinach, go ahead and pile that on the top. Why not?
Final step: Top with the second piece of bread, brush lightly with olive oil and cook in a sandwich press! Alternatively, cook it in a frying pan. Press down on it as it cooks.
Helen’s top tips
- Choose fresh, good quality ingredients for the best sandwich. Get some really fresh Italian bread from a bakery, for example. Also, you’ll really taste the olive oil on this sandwich, so use a good quality extra virgin olive oil.
- Nail your roasted eggplant slices! Slice them about 1/2 cm thick lengthwise then roast for around 25 minutes or until soft and almost sticky. Don’t worry if they look well browned and crispy in places. Those will just add to the overall flavour and texture of the sandwich.
- Consider making your own quick batch of pesto. It’s really quick and easy if you have a mini chopper or food processor. You can even make extra and use it to make a quick pesto pasta. Otherwise get a good quality pre-made pesto. I find the fresh chunky ones sold in the dip section the best. Jarred versions all seem to be made with vegetable oils, at least here in Australia.
- Missing one of the ingredients? No worries! Swap parmesan for another kind of cheese, even cheddar (for the pesto as well!), throw lettuce on at the end instead of spinach, use fresh tomatoes instead of jarred. You get the idea!
How to serve it
- Got guests coming over for brunch or a casual lunch? This is perfect!
- Add fries (regular or sweet potato!) and make it a meal.
- Serve them English style with some good quality crisps/potato chips on the side 😉
Ways to vary it
This sandwich is very delicious as it is. Maybe you’re missing an ingredient or two though. But you have other things lurking in your fridge that you could throw on your sandwich instead. Keep the roasted eggplant, but otherwise tweak away!
When I first ordered something similar to this in a cafe in Perth, it had avocado on it. If you happen to have a ripe avocado, why not throw a few slices on?
- Use a different kind of cheese. Replace the mozzarella with feta cheese, or a good grating of parmesan cheese. I’d use the big side of the grater so that you get nice chunky bits of cheese. Spread a layer of ricotta cheese on top of the pesto. Or why not pan-fry or even air fry some slices of halloumi cheese instead?
- Got some jarred antipasto in the fridge? I’m thinking artichokes, olives, cornichons, charred peppers/capsicums or semi-dried tomatoes. All of these would go wonderfully well on this sandwich.
- Make it vegan by replacing the mozzarella with a vegan cheese. Add avocado or hummus, or simply skip the cheese.
- Add a few sneaky slices of bacon or deli meat. Yes I know this is a veggie sandwich, but there are no rules against adding some meat if you’d like.
More things to know (FAQs)
I’ve used several different kinds of bread including ciabatta, focaccia, Turkish bread or sourdough. I tend to use a flat-ish loaf that I can cut into lengths and then slice across the width.
To be honest though there are no hard and fast rules. As long as the bread is fresh and good quality, you’ll make a really delicious sandwich. Just choose something you like the look of!
For anyone up for a mini challenge, why not make your own Italian bread? This easy Italian focaccia bread recipe is awesome. You won’t believe how easy and yummy it is!
That’s OK! Just grab a big frying pan or grill pan to cook your sandwich in. As it cooks, press it down with a spatula or turner.
When the cheese begins to melt and the bread is golden brown and toasted, your sandwich is ready.
You’ll want to serve them when they’re hot off the press (pun intended). But that doesn’t mean you can’t prep all the other ingredients in advance.
You can most certainly roast the eggplant slices in advance and make the pesto if you’re making your own. I’d even go as far as to fully assemble the sandwiches and pop them covered in the fridge. When you’re ready to eat just brush the tops and bottoms with olive oil and cook in your preheated sandwich press.
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Italian Toasted Veggie Sandwich
Equipment (affiliate links)
Ingredients (UK/Australia? Click below for grams/ml)
For the homemade pesto (or use a good quality store-bought pesto)
- 1 bunch basil leaves
- ¼ cup nuts (a handful or about an ounce) Any: peanuts, almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios, or a mixture
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese grated (a handful or about an ounce)
- 1 clove garlic (small)
- ¼ cup olive oil approximately (you may want to add a little more)
For the rest of the sandwich
- ½ eggplant cut into 1/2-cm thick (approx) slices lengthwise (for nice big slices)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil for brushing the eggplant slices, and for the outside of the sandwiches, just before cooking
- ⅔ loaf focaccia or ciabatta or Turkish bread, or any other flat-ish Italian bread (I just slice the loaf into 3, then slice 2 of the pieces in half crosswise)
- 2 handfuls fresh spinach
- 7 ounces mozzarella cheese either cut small balls of mozzarella cheese in half, or slice a big ball of mozzarella. Alternatively just use grated pizza mozzarella or another cheese!
- ¼ cup sundried tomatoes (about 2 ounces) from a jar, in oil
Instructions
- First, pre-heat the oven to 350F/180C and line a large baking tray with baking paper. Brush both sides of your eggplant/aubergine slices with olive oil and roast for around 25 minutes or until soft and golden.
- While your eggplant/aubergine slices are roasting, make the pesto. Put the basil, nuts, parmesan and garlic in a food processor and pulse until a chunky mixture forms. With the motor running, add the olive oil a little at a time until you have the consistency of a pesto. Add a little more oil if necessary. Set aside.
- Slice your pieces of bread in half crosswise, then spread each half with a generous amount of pesto. Top with the spinach (a handful on each sandwich), folded eggplant/aubergine slices (around 3 on each sandwich), mozzarella and sundried tomatoes.
- Preheat a sandwich press or frying pan. Top the sandwich with the other half of the bread, then brush both the top and bottom lightly with a little olive oil. Cook for a few minutes until hot, melting and crisp.
Archana @ The Perfect Zest says
This is exactly the kind of panini I love to eat – and pesto adds such depth of flavor to go with the cheese!
Next time I visit Australia, I intend to go to Melbourne. I may be in Australia sooner than I’d be in Rome so I must check that italian place out.
And I love this turkish bread you find in Australia – we don’t have it here in the US (at least not in the NYC area) .. next time must remember to bring some back with me 🙂
Helen says
So happy that you like the panini, Archana! It’s made me into a bit of a pesto fanatic, making batches all the time! Oh well, I suppose there are worse obsessions to have! As for the Turkish bread, we don’t have that in the UK, either. It reminds me of ciabatta a bit, though. Of course, any fairly flat bread will do for a lovely panini!
P.S. I really hope you do get the chance to visit that Italian restaurant in Melbourne one day.
Mary Frances says
I find the irony hilarious! Although it probably was not funny at the time 🙂
I think I just found the best Panini of my life! Love the veggies and flavors packed in here, Helen!
Helen says
Yes, as you can imagine it was pretty disappointing at the time. To be honest, that whole day getting to Milan was a bit like Planes, Trains and Automobiles. I should have told that story, too!
Grinning from ear-to-ear about the fact that you’ve found the best panini of your life! 🙂
Ashley says
Before we moved, we had the BEST local pizza place – it was sooo good. And now we can’t find one we like here. Booooo. We’re still looking but for now I’ve been sticking with homemade 🙂
And this panini?? Sounds awesome – I really love using eggplant and with the pesto… so good!
Helen says
Awww, disappointing! Maybe you could ask them if they could pretty please make a special delivery once in a while. 😉 You can’t go far wrong with homemade, anyway.
So happy you like the panini. I’m a bit in love with this combo now!
Louisa [Living Lou] says
Paninis are kind of the only sandwich that I like! This one looks delicious, I love the suggestion in the comments of adding sundried tomatoes in there also, yum!
Helen says
I love the fact that they’re toasted. They certainly do put ordinary sandwiches in the shade, don’t they? 🙂
whatjessicabakednext says
This looks amazing Helen! I love the flavours packed into this one sandwich!
Helen says
So happy you like it, Jess! 🙂
Sarah @ Running On Brie says
This panini looks completely scrumptious. I want to make one right now! I forget how fabulously easy roasted eggplant is…and I’m loving this combination of goodies together. You’re right about fresh homemade pesto…it’s super easy and one of the most delicious things in the world. Thanks for sharing!
Helen says
Thank you so much, Sarah! And thanks for visiting and taking the time to comment, too.
You’re so right about roasted eggplant – it’s pretty versatile and very easy to roast. 🙂
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
Roasted veggie paninis are the best! This one looks amazing 🙂
Helen says
Thank you, Medha! This was actually the first one I’d ever made, believe it or not, but it won’t be the last! 🙂
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
Helen it’s like you knew that I was eating low carb and the picture of this panini would set me off into spasms of uncontrollable drooling! 😛
Helen says
Ooops! Sorry about that … well, a little bit sorry… 😉
Meggan Hill says
What a delicious sandwich idea, Helen! I especially love the addition of the pesto, that’s one of my favorite condiments! Pinning, Tweeting, and FBing! 🙂
Helen says
Hi, Sweeet Meggan! Thanks so much for visiting … and pinning, and tweeting & FBing … you’re such a super star!
So happy you like the sandwich, as well. For me it’s the fresh pesto and eggplant that makes it – you can definitely vary the other ingredients. 🙂
sue/the view from great island says
This is making me VERY hungry!
Helen says
Well … good! That was the intention! 🙂
Thaila @ butter and brioche says
YUM this looks delicious… definitely recreating this panini recipe. love it! and that pesto looks awesome! thanks for sharing another great recipe Cheri.
Helen says
Hello, Thaila. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it if you do try it. 🙂
cheri says
Great sandwich Helen, and as always a great story to go with it, love this sandwich.
Helen says
Thank you so much, Cheri. 🙂
Jessica @ Jessiker Bakes says
I can’t believe you had the best AND worst in Italy! How ironic, but so glad you got a recovery meal like this panini. It sounds and looks so amazing – I’m actually off to make pesto today!
Helen says
Isn’t pesto just the best? I don’t make it nearly as often enough. I suppose you could call this my ‘recovery panini’. Glad you like it, Jess!
Norma | Allspice and Nutmeg says
You know I love this kind of sandwich. I’m all over this!
Helen says
I thought it would be up you alley, Norma! Anything Mediterranean, and Norma’s in! 😉
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
I had a friend in college who was studying abroad from Italy, and couldn’t stand the american version of italian food. The worst for her was pizza. Glad that the worst pizza you’ve ever had was in Italy, now I don’t feel so bad!
This sandwich sounds amazing! My sister has a panini maker, and every time I go to her house I have to make one. They’re just so good! Love this all veggie version : )
Helen says
I think that maybe ‘proper’ Italian pizzas are so delicate that they are easy to get wrong? But when they are right … wow, they are oh so right! I hope you give this sandwich a go when you next go to your sister’s! 🙂
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
This panini was amazing!!!!
Helen says
It certainly was, Jocelyn! I can still taste it now … veeery tasty!
[email protected] TheGastronomicBong says
What a fabulous Panini!! Aubergine, pesto and mozzarella all go together so well… love the addition of sun dried tomatoes.. Perfect!! 😀
Helen says
Thanks so much for saying so, Arpita! Have a great weekend! 🙂
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Helen, this panini looks fabulous! I always order paninis at restaurants, but have never made my own before. Now I have the perfect recipe! I love how you used eggplant and pesto in these. Eggplant is highly underrated in my book! Such a delicious combination!
Helen says
Thanks, Gayle! I got into eating a lot of eggplant in Greece and I guess discovered how delicious it is. When roasted like this is perfect for a sandwich. I hope you have a go at making something like this some day. 🙂
Laura @ Raise Your Garden says
Helen, these look absolutely delicious! I love sandwiches like this to snack on all weekend. Didn’t know that bocconcini was mozz cheese, learning every day!
I don’t consider myself much of a cook but even I make my own pesto and it’s totally worth the effort! Love the eggplant, growing my first this summer, crossing my fingers.
Just admiring all the ingredients in the recipe, not leaving anything out, wondering if I could pop in a little fresh tomato with the sundries tomatoes? Will be delicious and filling either way =)
Helen says
Oh, I think you could definitely pop in some fresh tomato, Laura. Especially if they happen to be from your amazing garden!
So happy that you approve of this sandwich. I was pretty much in Saturday morning heaven with every bite!
Eva says
C’est panini attends qu’un truc, être dévoré ! Il donne beaucoup d’envie !
Malheureusement pour les pizzas, des fois on a des mauvaises surprises ! En Espagne, c’est pareil, le pire paella sont au restaurants (dans certains )
Helen says
Je suis totalement d’accord, Eva! J’ai mange quelques paellas presque degoutants en Espagne. Le mieux, c’etait a la maison d’une copine espagnole, bien sur!
Je suis ravie que tu aimes le sandwich. J’ai envie d’en manger un autre ce matin! 🙂