This ultimate Pesto Mozzarella Sandwich is bursting with flavor, juicy ingredients, and amazing textures — made with basil pesto, mayo, fresh mozzarella and fresh juicy tomatoes, then toasted until perfection. You’ll love this for an easy lunch or dinner recipe.   

Want to add some protein? Try my Chicken Caprese Sandwich! Use my Blender Pesto for the best homemade pesto you’ll ever have. 

A Pesto Mozzarella Sandwich with tomato, sliced in half on a brown plate.

Why This Recipe Works

  • Perfectly balanced pesto tomato sandwich. The combination of tangy basil pesto, creamy mayo, juicy tomatoes, and flavorful mozzarella creates a perfect harmony of tastes in every bite.
  • Texture heaven. Y’all know I love a recipe with some good texture! Crisp and toasted bread provides a satisfying crunch against the smooth, melted mozzarella and juicy tomatoes — heaven! 
  • Customizable tomato basil pesto sandwich. Whether you choose French bread or your favorite sandwich bread, store-bought or homemade pesto, and a variety of tomato options, this recipe accommodates your preferences.
  • Fresh mozzarella pesto sandwich. Opting for fresh mozzarella lends a delightful gooeyness and richness that takes the grilled mozzarella tomato sandwich to the next level.

Ingredient Notes

Pesto panini ingredients on a marble background, French bread, basil pesto, tomato, mayo, mozzarella, and salt.
  • Bread: Feel free to use regular sandwich bread if you’d prefer. I used French bread. You could also use whole wheat bread or sourdough bread if you like that! 
  • Mayo: Use your favorite brand of mayo. 
  • Basil Pesto: You can use any store-bought pesto or make a fresh pesto with my homemade pestorecipe. 
  • Tomatoes: You can use heirloom tomatoes, Roma tomatoes, or beefsteak tomatoes. I wouldn’t use grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes because they are so small you’d have a hard time keeping them on the tomato pesto sandwich! 
  • Fresh Mozzarella Cheese: I highly recommend using fresh mozzarella! It’s juicy and way yummier! 

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Place spreads on the slices of bread. Slice the bread in thick slices and spread pesto on one slice and mayonnaise on the other. 
  2. Add the tomato slices and mozzarella. Place the slices of tomatoes on the pesto side and fill the whole piece. Lightly salt. Add the slices of mozzarella, then place the bread slices together. 
  3. Grill the pesto tomato sandwich. Using a panini press or a skillet, place the mozzarella pesto sandwich on and grill or cook until all sides are golden brown. Enjoy! 
Four images showing how to make a Tomato Pesto Mozzarella Sandwich on a skillet or panini press.

Recipe Tips

Homemade basil pesto isn’t necessary. I LOVE homemade pesto, but unless you have a green house with a large basil plant, chances are you don’t have homemade basil on hand during the winter months.

However, if you’d like to give homemade pesto a shot, I have a great recipe right here. Basil pesto is easy to make and it tastes delicious! Consider experimenting with different pesto varieties such as sun-dried tomato or walnut pesto. You can also try my Kale Pesto Recipe instead! 

To get even melty mozzarella, allow the mozzarella to come to room temperature before assembling the tomato mozzarella sandwich.

If you don’t have a panini maker, you can use a regular sautè pan, frying pan, or cast iron skillet. 

Add a handful of fresh baby spinach or arugula for an extra layer of flavor and nutrition.

We also love drizzling on some balsamic glaze. 

Make Ahead, Storing, and Freezing

Prepare the sandwich components (spreads, sliced tomatoes, and mozzarella) in advance for a quicker assembly when ready to cook.

Refrigerate assembled but uncooked sandwiches in an airtight container. Grill them fresh for optimal taste and texture.

I don’t recommend freezing the sandwich. 

Pesto Mozzarella Sandwich on a brown plate, sliced in half with fresh basil in a bowl at the right corner of the photo.

Recipe FAQs

How much mozzarella should I use when making a tomato sandwich?

I use anywhere from 1.5-2 oz of sliced mozzarella on each sandwich I make. Once you see how much or how little 2 oz of cheese appears, you might opt for adding a touch more mozzarella on your sandwich, or slightly less. But 2 oz has proved to be my family’s sweet spot.

How can I make this gluten-free? 

Simply choose your favorite gluten-free bread to make this sandwich suitable for a gluten-free diet.

Can I use cherry tomatoes? 

While not recommended due to their size, you can slice cherry tomatoes in half and distribute them evenly for a unique twist.

A pair of hands holding two halves of a Pesto Mozzarella Sandwich with tomato over a brown plate.

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Pesto Mozzarella Sandwich on French bread, sliced in half with fresh tomatoes on the sandwich too.
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5 from 3 votes

Pesto Mozzarella Sandwich

A Pesto Mozzarella Sandwich with fresh tomato is a delectable and flavorful vegetarian sandwich that combines the richness of mozzarella cheese, the vibrant taste of pesto sauce, and the juicy sweetness of fresh tomatoes. This sandwich is a perfect balance of textures and tastes, making it a popular choice for a quick and satisfying lunch or light dinner!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 1 sandwich

Ingredients
 

  • 2 slices bread - I used French bread, you can use whatever you have/like
  • 1 tablespoon mayo - (more or less to your liking)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons basil peso
  • 1 tomato - slices
  • 1.5-2 oz mozzarella - sliced, I prefer to use fresh mozzarella
  • kosher salt - to taste

Instructions
 

  • Spread the pesto on one slice of bread.
  • Spread the mayonnaise on the other slice of bread.
  • Place the tomatoes on the bread until the bread has been covered. Lightly salt the tomatoes.
  • Place the slices of mozzarella on the tomatoes. 
  • Place the slice of bread with the pesto overtop the mozzarella and tomatoes. 
  • Place your sandwich on a panini maker until all sides are crisp and golden brown. If you don’t have a panini maker you can warm up a skillet on your stovetop and grill your sandwich that way. 
  • Serve immediately!

Notes

Here is my homemade Basil Pesto recipe. 
 

Nutrition

Calories: 459kcal (23%)Carbohydrates: 28g (9%)Protein: 18g (36%)Fat: 30g (46%)Saturated Fat: 9g (45%)Cholesterol: 41mg (14%)Sodium: 793mg (33%)Potassium: 285mg (8%)Fiber: 4g (16%)Sugar: 6g (7%)Vitamin A: 1255IU (25%)Vitamin C: 8.5mg (10%)Calcium: 311mg (31%)Iron: 1.5mg (8%)
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
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