Easy Turkey Basil Pesto Panini Recipe
This Easy Turkey Basil Pesto Panini is a delicious and satisfying sandwich featuring layers of savory sliced turkey, creamy fontina cheese, fresh roma tomatoes, and flavorful basil pesto, all pressed between crispy sourdough bread and toasted to perfection with a brush of olive oil. Ideal for a quick lunch or a casual dinner, this panini combines fresh ingredients and simple preparation for a tasty, hearty meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 4 sandwiches 1x
- Category: Lunch, Sandwich
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Bread & Spread
- 8 pieces sourdough bread
- 1 cup basil pesto
- Olive oil, for brushing
Cheese
- 1/2 pound fontina cheese, sliced
Meat & Vegetables
- 1 1/2 pounds sliced turkey
- 2 Roma tomatoes, sliced
Instructions
- Prepare the Bread: Lay all 8 slices of sourdough bread flat on your work surface. Evenly spread about 1 cup of basil pesto over each slice to give the panini a burst of herby flavor.
- Add Cheese: Distribute the 1/2 pound of sliced fontina cheese evenly over 4 of the bread slices on top of the pesto. These will form the cheese base of your paninis.
- Layer Turkey: Place 1 1/2 pounds of sliced turkey evenly over the cheese on the 4 bread slices to add a hearty protein layer.
- Add Tomato Slices: Arrange the sliced Roma tomatoes over the turkey on each sandwich to introduce freshness and juiciness.
- Assemble Sandwiches: Top each open-faced sandwich with the remaining 4 bread slices, pesto side down, and lightly press down to secure all layers evenly.
- Brush with Olive Oil: Lightly brush both sides of each sandwich with olive oil to help achieve a golden crisp crust when grilling.
- Grill or Toast: Grill or toast the paninis over medium-high heat until the bread is golden brown, crispy, and the fontina cheese has melted thoroughly.
- Serve: Remove from heat and slice each panini in half diagonally for easy handling and to showcase the delicious layers inside. Serve warm.
Notes
- You can substitute fontina cheese with mozzarella or provolone for a different flavor profile.
- If you prefer a spicier kick, add some crushed red pepper flakes to the pesto before spreading.
- Use a panini press for even grilling, or a skillet with a heavy pan pressed on top to mimic the effect.
- For a vegetarian alternative, substitute turkey with grilled vegetables like zucchini or mushrooms.
- Ensure tomatoes are sliced thinly to avoid sogginess in the sandwich.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 920 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: turkey panini, basil pesto sandwich, grilled panini, turkey sandwich, easy lunch recipe
