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.
More delicious sandwiches
Recommended equipment
As already mentioned, you definitely don’t NEED a special sandwich press to make these sandwiches. However… I do highly recommend this Breville Panini Duo Sandwich Press. I’ve had one for years and still use it at least once a week.
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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.
Jane says
Very tasty, eggplant made the difference and was easy to roast. Great combination of flavors. Thanks for a new favorite.
Helen says
Hello Jane! I’m so glad you enjoyed this! I realised how easy eggplant slices were to roast when I made moussaka for the first time. I love using up any leftover eggplant on this sandwich!
Fish Fingers for tea says
Fab sandwich, fab story! I make our own pesto on a fairly regular basis, jarred is absolutely fine I think but fresh is so much better!
Helen says
Well, I was horrified recently when I realised that most of the main commercial brands aren’t made with olive oil. Couldn’t believe it! That got me making my own pretty sharpish!
Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch) says
It seems so odd to read about getting a bad pizza in Italy, but I’m sure a traveler from Europe could have the same experience with a burger here in the States. This sandwich looks amazing. I need to make more panini’s. Thanks for the inspiration. Pinned.
Helen says
Thanks so much for pinning this, Lea Ann. This was the first time I’d made a panini in absolutely ages, but now I’m a bit addicted!
It is weird to think about getting a bad pizza in Italy, isn’t it? But I guess people are people and there are good and bad cooks everywhere!
Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe says
I LOVE adding pesto to my panini – this one sounds delicious. I also had a great and a terrible pizza experience in Italy – I think the places that try too hard to cater to North Americans miss the mark. I mean, who doesn’t go to Italy for authentic Italian food?!
Helen says
Totally agree! Next time I go to Italy I’ll ‘vet’ my pizza stops a lot more carefully! Thanks for stopping by, Amanda! 🙂
Cindy @ Pick Fresh Foods says
I’m so hungry and this panini looks amazing. I wish I had some eggplant at home and I would whip this up right now. Pinning!
Helen says
Glad you like it, Cindy! That’s the only problem with this, isn’t it? You don’t tend to have eggplant on hand in the fridge. Oh well, just got to plan ahead a bit better! 🙂
Julie @ This Gal Cooks says
Margherita pizzas are probably my favorite type of pizza. I wouldn’t be disappointed at all to step into a pizza place with only Margherita pizzas. YUM!
This is a great panini, Helen. I love all of the flavors. Pinned!
Helen says
Thank you, Julie! I would normally never choose just a plain margherita pizza but the one I had in Italy really showed me how delicious they can be. Maybe I’ll dare to try making my own some time and see if I can get it anywhere near as delicious. Hmmm … I suspect I might need to practice a few times!
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
My dad is a huge eggplant fan so I’m going to share this recipe with him. I think he’s going to be one happy guy! YUM!
Helen says
Aw, thanks, Pamela! Nothing makes me happier than someone making or sharing one of my recipes. I don’t think your dad will be disappointed, especially if he has lots of your homegrown veggies on the sandwich as well. 😉
Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron says
I used to live in Melbourne, and I was going to guess you were eating in Carlton 🙂 Melbourne is so diverse, isn’t it? This panini looks delish…but really, you had me at pesto…and then again at bocconcini 🙂
Helen says
It’s nice that you knew where I was talking about, Denise! We loved that wonderful Melbourne diversity so much that we’re hoping to visit again before we leave Australia this time. If I lived there I think I’d be doing ’round the world restaurant hops’ all the time!
So glad you appreciate the sandwich – I’m a little bit addicted to homemade pesto at the moment!
Pam says
The description of your best pizza made me drool a bit. This panini looks flavorful and delicious!
Helen says
Great! That was the intention!
So glad you like it!
Mariana @The Candid Kitchen says
Your pizza story is so true, I also found that just because you’re in Italy doesn’t mean your food experience is always going to be amazing. I have never had aubergines in a sandwich before and I love the idea of adding pesto to it!
Helen says
Thanks, Mariana! Most of the food I had in Italy was incredible, though – fortunately! I promise you you’ll enjoy the aubergine in a sandwich if you try it. It’s so delicious!
Tandy | Lavender and Lime says
oh my, this is scrummy! I so love the combination you have used. Pizzas in Napoli are so different to the rest of Italy, and how sad that in Milano you had such a bad one. Especially where the Duomo is as that is such a tourist area 🙂
Helen says
I know, very ironic indeed! I will just have to go back to Milan and try to find a better one! 🙂
Skye says
Completely agreed. Nothing beats homemade pesto – and yours looks so beautiful and fresh (and love how you’ve used mixed nuts). And I love how you’ve added a good chunk of aubergine to this yummy, yummy sandwich – kind of meaty without needing any meat. Am going to make this – will be perfect for picnic lunches on the beach at the Venice Lido. Thanks, Helen – for a scrummy recipe and entertaining post – as always! Xx
Helen says
Thank you for your encouragement, Skye! I am imagining you there on the beach with your sandwich and trying not to feel envious right now! (I’ve been to those long stretches of sandy beach on the Venice lido). It must be wonderful to be there!
Isadora says
I love pizza and if it were up to my husband we would eat pizza for every meal! I’m not sure if he believes in the idea of a bad pizza, haha! I got a Panini maker for Christmas and I’m embarrassed to admit I haven’t used it yet. These looks so good that I think I need to break it out and make these right now, even though it is late at night and I’ve already eaten dinner. The flavors sound amazing 🙂
Helen says
Haha … I have that happen to me all the time when I’m reading blogs late at night, Isadora! And don’t worry, I can beat you on your non-use of your panini maker. I bought a pasta machine in about 1999 and it’s still in its box!
Consuelo - Honey & Figs says
I’m not the biggest fan of pizza (weird, I know haha), but that Margheritta one sounded brilliant to me! I love to hear about your travel experiences Helen – your writing is perfect!
This panini sounds amazing. I adore all things eggplant, and pesto makes everything better in my book! I love the sound of this dish 🙂
Helen says
Thanks so much for the lovely compliments, Consuelo. You are sweet! I totally agree that pesto can make a lot of dishes better. I’m a bit addicted to it at the moment!
Karla says
omg this panini looks so tasty! And the post comes in so handy, as yesterday I took 6 courgettes from our garten, including a massive one that has been forgotten there :/ I´m sure it will work with courgettes as great as with eggplant, don´t you think?
Helen says
Hi, Karla! Yes, I don’t see why you could’t put roasted (or pan-fried) courgettes in your sandwich! It’s still a strong Mediterranean flavour. Go for it! I have a recipe with courgette in it coming up pretty soon, as well, so stay tuned. 😉
Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says
Oh Helen, this panini is the stuff my dreams are made of. Seriously – that bread, pesto, mozzarella, eggplant? Ugh so great! I think I’d like to eat that pesto with a spoon! I spent a glorious seven days in Italy during college visiting my boyfriend when he studied abroad, and I believe during that week I consumed a frightening amount of pizza (and gelato, and mozzarella…). All were delicious, thankfully!
Helen says
Well, I have to admit that I did eat some of the pesto with a spoon! I am wishing that I hadn’t frozen the batch I made yesterday so that I can eat another one of these sandwiches today! 🙂
[email protected] says
What an amazing vegetarian panini! I love all the flavors.Eggplant is a vegetable I should cook with more often. Bet it tastes amazing with the pesto!
Helen says
That’s what I thought when I made this, Christin. It’s really easy to roast the eggplant slices, so why don’t I do it more often? 😉
Lail | With A Spin says
Oh, Helen, these pan inis look amazingly good. Have I mentioned how much I love panini. Yum!
Helen says
Thank you so much, Lail! 🙂