My Favorite Turkey Pesto Panini
This crispy, cheesy turkey pesto panini is my go to lunch when I want something warm and comforting.
recipesbynani.comThere is nothing quite like a pressed sandwich to turn a simple lunch into something special. The combination of savory turkey, bright basil pesto, and gooey melted cheese pressed between golden, toasted bread is truly hard to beat.
My top tip for this recipe is to use a good quality sourdough or ciabatta bread. The sturdier the bread, the better it holds up under the weight of the press, giving you that perfect crunch on the outside while keeping the inside nice and soft.
🧺 Ingredients
- 4 slices of sourdough or ciabatta bread
- 8 slices of deli turkey breast
- 4 tablespoons basil pesto
- 4 slices provolone or mozzarella cheese
- 1 medium tomato, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
👩🍳Instructions
- 1
Spread a generous tablespoon of pesto onto one side of each bread slice.
- 2
Layer two slices of turkey, one or two slices of cheese, and a few tomato slices on two of the bread pieces.
- 3
Top with the remaining bread slices to close the sandwiches.
- 4
Spread the softened butter on the outside of the top and bottom of each sandwich.
- 5
Heat your panini press or a heavy skillet over medium heat.
- 6
Place the sandwiches in the press or skillet and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes per side until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
💡 Tips
Serve these warm right off the press with a side of mixed greens or a simple cup of tomato soup. If you have leftovers, keep them in the fridge and reheat them in a dry pan over low heat to bring back that signature crunch.
Made this recipe? Let us know how it went.
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