Italian-Style Panini. This is one panini for the record books. This brings together some of our most favorite tastes into one mouth-watering sandwich.
Of course, we recommend making your own pesto, especially since it’s just so darn easy to make, but, you can certainly get quality store-purchased as well.
Wow, this is delicious.
ITALIAN-STYLE PANINI IS EASY TO MAKE AT HOME
These are sone of the best sandwiches we ever made in the H2FaL, and you won’t believe how easy they are to prepare!
Watch us show you how simple (and fun) it is to make Italian-Style Paninis!
I absolutely love pulling out my trusty grill pan and getting it nice and hot. Then, I just grab another heavy skillet, and place it right on top of the sandwich. I love getting new gadgets and appliances as much as anybody, probably even more than most, but I haven’t gotten a panini press because my grill pan / heavy skillet technique works so perfectly. But hey, a panini press would be pretty awesome, too.
Either way, you’re going to get an over-the-top Italian-style panini with this recipe!
Here’s the grill pan I use almost every single week. I’ve had it for years and it works like a charm!
Just look at that…
We love Italian cured meats. The combination of salami, soppressata, prosciutto and mortadella is just heavenly.
All of the meats can be found in a well-stocked deli section of most major supermarkets.
This combined with good-quality mozzarella, bread, and pesto…oh, my mouth is watering just thinking about it.
Of course, if you want to go the vegetarian route, that can be just as delicious, too.
Go with roasted red peppers and baked eggplant, and you will not be disappointed.
But…if you’re in the mood for a classic Italian-Style Panini recipe…look no further. You have just hit the panini jackpot. Just incredible!
Italian-Style Panini
Equipment
- Panini press
- OR - Grill skillet
- OR- Sturdy skillet
Ingredients
- 8 slices Firm whole grain bread
- Fresh Pesto click for recipe, or use store-bought
- 1/4 lb thinly sliced whole-milk mozzarella
- 1/4 lb thinly sliced salami
- 1/4 lb thinly sliced soppressata
- 1/4 lb thinly sliced prosciutto
- 1/4 lb thinly sliced mortadella
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter room temperature
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 200°F.
- Lay out 4 slices of bread and spread the pesto on top of each slice.
- Next, add to those 4 slices, the cheese. Then layer a few slices of each meat on top.
- Top with another cheese slice and then top with bread slices.
- Spread butter on the top of each sandwich.
- Heat a grill pan (you can also use a heavy frying pan) over medium-high heat, or heat your panini press.
- Depending on the size of your pan, add 1 or 2 sandwiches, buttered side down first.
- Place a heavy pan on top of the sandwiches.
- Cook until the undersides are lightly browned and show grill marks, about 2 - 3 minutes. Adjust the heat if cooking too quickly. Add butter to the top piece, while cooking the panini.
- Flip the sandwiches, add the heavy pan on top of the sandwich, and brown the other side, for another 2 -3 minutes. The cheese should be melting by now.
- If you are using a panini press, the total cook time is about 5 minutes.
- Remove from the pan and place on a baking sheet and keep warm in the oven while preparing the other sandwiches in the same manner.
- Cut each sandwich in half (on the diagonal is nice) and serve immediately.
Nutrition
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Very nice recipe!
Oh, my, god! This panini is awesome. I’m not sure I cooked it in the best way but I did my best. I was writing my research paper and got hungry. Found this recipe and forgot about all my responsibilities. I devoured it two hours ago but I still can’t move.
I love your videos and you make everything look so easy! I had no idea that pesto was so easy to make and this sandwich .
HI Kelly! Thank you so so much!! That really means the world to us. That’s our goal, to make delicious meals less intimidating (and more fun!) to make at home!! Please stay in touch!! All the best, Kris & Wesley
Excellent!
Also… You two might consider doing a Collaboration Video with Demetria’s Dishes. She is fantastic and lives in Houston.
TK, your friend and mine from the Black Hills of South Dakota
Kris,
Is the grill pan that was advertised/listed in your post really the grill pan you use? Or simply an ad for one? This is the one:
Lodge L8SGP3 Cast Iron Square Grill Pan, Pre-Seasoned, 10.5-inch
Please let me know, thanks much!
Risa ooxx
Hi Risa!
That’s really the one I use! I love it! Lodge is good quality and not too expensive. I highly recommend it! xo