Description
This Easy Turkey Basil Pesto Panini is a quick and delicious sandwich featuring layers of flavorful basil pesto, gooey fontina cheese, savory turkey slices, and fresh Roma tomatoes, all grilled to golden perfection in a panini press or grill pan. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s perfect for a satisfying lunch or light dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Sandwich Ingredients
- 8 slices sourdough bread
- 1 cup basil pesto
- 1/2 lb fontina cheese, sliced
- 1 1/2 lbs turkey, sliced
- 2 Roma tomatoes, sliced
- Olive oil, for brushing
Instructions
- Assemble the Panini: Lay out the sourdough bread slices on a clean work surface. Spread a generous layer of basil pesto on each slice, then layer slices of fontina cheese on top of the pesto-coated bread.
- Add Turkey and Tomatoes: Evenly distribute the sliced turkey over half of the bread slices, layering it over the cheese. Place the sliced Roma tomatoes on top of the turkey to add freshness and flavor.
- Top and Prepare for Grilling: Place the remaining bread slices on top of the layered ones to form sandwiches. Press down gently to compact. Brush both the top and bottom of each sandwich lightly with olive oil to help create a crispy, golden crust when grilled.
- Grill the Panini: Heat a panini press or grill pan over medium-high heat. Place the sandwiches inside and grill them for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until the bread is toasted golden brown and the fontina cheese has melted completely.
- Serve: Remove the paninis from the heat, slice each in half for easier handling, and serve warm. Enjoy your melty, flavorful Turkey Basil Pesto Panini!
Notes
- You can substitute sourdough bread with ciabatta or focaccia for a different texture and flavor.
- If you don’t have fontina cheese, mozzarella or provolone are good alternatives that melt well.
- For extra crispiness, add a little more olive oil before grilling.
- A panini press works best, but a grill pan and a heavy skillet to press down the sandwiches can be used as a substitute.
- Leftovers can be wrapped in foil and reheated in a panini press or oven to maintain crispness.
