Look at that sandwich! If you want to upgrade your sandwich game then you’ve got to try my Ultimate Ciabatta Sandwich. This is the sandwich of all sandwiches - Italian style. The fluffy and crispy crust of the Ciabatta bun acts as the perfect vessel for the delicate, sweet and salty prosciutto, vibrant tomato slices, peppery arugula, mild and creamy mozzarella, fresh basil leaves and bright, aromatic and nutty pesto. The complex flavours meld beautifully to create the most satisfying bite!
My Ultimate Ciabatta Sandwich recipe comes together in under 5 minutes, requires a handful of ingredients and couldn’t be simpler to whip up. This sandwich is an easy and quick meal idea for a hectic day! So, let me show you how it’s done. Grab a spoon and come and cook with me!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Serves: Makes 1 Sandwich
Ingredients:
1 Ciabatta bun, cut in half horizontally
1 cup arugula
4 slices of Prosciutto (See Notes below)
4 slices of fresh mozzarella, cut into 1/4 inch slices (See Notes below)
2 slices of tomato, cut into 1/4 inch slices
3 Tbsp homemade or store-bought basil pesto (See Notes below)
5 basil leaves
Instructions:
Lay the sliced Ciabatta, crust side down, on a cutting board or plate.
Top the bottom slice of bread with arugula. Layer the prosciutto over top, followed by the mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, pesto and basil leaves.
Cover with the remaining slice of bread. Serve and enjoy!
Notes:
Substituting the Protein: I created this recipe using Prosciutto, however, feel free to substitute the meat with a protein of your choice. Prosciutto Cotto, roasted chicken or turkey, Capocollo or Soppressata complement the ingredients in this sandwich nicely.
Say Cheese: Fresh, soft and pillowy mozzarella slices are the perfect addition to this sandwich. However, if you don’t have fresh mozzarella on hand, you can substitute it with a few slices of soft and creamy Provolone or Havarti cheese.
Make Your Own Pesto: For a time saving and delicious alternative, use 3 Tbsp of store-bought pesto. But, if you're feeling creative and have a ton of basil on hand, then try your hand at making your own at home. Simply check out my Homemade Basil Pesto recipe for a list of ingredients and step-by-step instructions on how to make the easiest and best pesto! This pesto adds a ton of flavour, complexity, brightness, acidity and freshness to this sandwich. Bonus points - you can repurpose this sauce and toss it with freshly cooked pasta, use it as the base sauce for your next pizza and as a topping on your favourite protein - such as chicken, pork, steak, fish or even a fried egg. Or, you can use it in my Chicken Margherita recipe. This sauce is so versatile and really goes the distance!