Caprese Sandwich With Tomato, Mozzarella, and Fresh Basil

By
MacKenzie Smith
MacKenzie Smith
Recipe developer, food stylist, author, and teacher with a passion for sandwiches. She's behind the popular blog Grilled Cheese Social.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 12/20/22
Tested by
Tracy Wilk
Photo of Tracy Wilk
Tested by Tracy Wilk
Tracy Wilk is a professional pastry chef, recipe developer and chef instructor, and, most importantly, a firm believer in sprinkles.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 5 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 sandwich

The caprese sandwich is a classic Italian vegetarian sub that is packed full of flavor while also being super easy to make. Made with thick slices of fresh mozzarella, sweet Italian tomatoes, rich extra-virgin olive oil, tangy balsamic glaze, and herbaceous basil, it's no surprise that this sandwich's fame has made it to the United States.

Since a caprese sandwich only has a few main ingredients, use the best quality you can find. Look for buffalo mozzarella, high-quality Italian olive oil and balsamic glaze, vine-ripened, juicy tomatoes, and a fresh, crusty roll. It makes a great meal on the go.

Italian caprese sandwich

The Spruce

"Anything with the word 'caprese' in the recipe is going to be a home run. Tomatoes, cheese, and fresh basil are, as always, the perfect combination. This is a great dish for a vegetarian, or you can always add grilled chicken or shrimp for some extra protein. This recipe is classic Italian at its best!" —Tracy Wilk

Caprese Sandwich Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 1 Italian sub roll

  • 1/2 tablespoon Italian extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1/2 tablespoon balsamic glaze

  • 5 fresh basil leaves

  • 2 Campari tomatoes, thickly sliced

  • Salt, to taste

  • Freshly ground pepper, to taste

  • 3 thick slices fresh mozzarella (buffalo, if possible)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Italian caprese sandwich ingredients
    The Spruce

  2. Using a serrated knife, slice an Italian sub roll in half lengthwise.

    Sliced baguette and knife
    The Spruce

  3. Drizzle the inside with Italian extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic glaze.

    Drizzle oil and balsamic vinegar on bread
    The Spruce 

  4. Add basil and tomato to one side and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

    Add tomato and basil to bread
    The Spruce 

  5. Top with fresh mozzarella and close sandwich.

    Top the tomatoes with mozzarella
    The Spruce

  6. Eat now or wrap tightly to enjoy later. 

How to Store

  • If you are preparing your caprese sandwich to enjoy on the go, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap after assembling. Keep chilled until serving time.
  • If you're concerned about soggy bread, consider assembling just before eating, since some moisture from the cheese and tomato will seep into the bread as it sits.

Tips

  • If you get this sandwich in Italy, it is most likely made with buffalo mozzarella. Although regular mozzarella still works wonders on this sandwich, the buffalo milk gives the cheese an extra burst of flavor.
  • Don't have balsamic glaze on hand? You can either order some glaze or use regular balsamic vinegar or make some yourself by adding 1/2 a cup of balsamic vinegar with 1/4 cup apple juice and boiling it down until it reduces into a thick syrup.

What Does Caprese Mean?

Caprese is the name for an Italian salad consisting of mozzarella cheese, fresh tomatoes, and basil. It is often dressed with balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Because of its ingredients, it is most commonly served in the summertime, often as a first course or side dish.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
680 Calories
31g Fat
71g Carbs
31g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 680
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 31g 40%
Saturated Fat 13g 66%
Cholesterol 67mg 22%
Sodium 1729mg 75%
Total Carbohydrate 71g 26%
Dietary Fiber 7g 26%
Total Sugars 13g
Protein 31g
Vitamin C 39mg 193%
Calcium 573mg 44%
Iron 4mg 24%
Potassium 899mg 19%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)