Turkey Pesto Mozzarella Sandwiches

Prep: 10 minutes   Cook: 8 minutes   Total: 18 minutes   Serves: 4 sandwiches

Why you’ll love this recipe

The sandwiches take less than 20 minutes, use easy-to-find ingredients, and cook in an ordinary skillet. Pesto seasons the filling while mozzarella melts smoothly and helps hold everything together.

Ingredients

• 8 slices sturdy whole-grain or sourdough bread
• ⅓ cup prepared basil pesto
• 12 ounces thinly sliced deli turkey
• 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, patted dry and sliced
• 1 medium tomato, thinly sliced and patted dry
• 2 cups baby arugula
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or softened butter for the bread

Instructions

1. Lay out the bread and spread pesto over one side of each slice.
2. Divide the turkey, mozzarella, tomato, and arugula among four slices. Close with the remaining bread, pesto-side down.
3. Brush the outsides lightly with olive oil or spread with softened butter.
4. Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add two sandwiches and place a second heavy skillet or heat-safe pan on top to press gently.
5. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until the bread is crisp and the cheese has melted. Repeat with the remaining sandwiches, then rest for 2 minutes before slicing.

Success tips and variations

• Pat both the mozzarella and tomato dry to prevent soggy bread.
• Keep the heat at medium-low so the cheese melts before the bread gets too dark.
• For a sharper flavor, replace half the mozzarella with provolone.
• Add roasted red pepper or thinly sliced red onion for variation.

Storage and reheating

For meal prep, store the components separately for up to 3 days and assemble just before cooking. Refrigerate cooked sandwiches within 2 hours and reheat in a covered skillet over low heat until hot.

Food-safety note: People who are pregnant, age 65 or older, or immunocompromised should heat deli turkey to 165°F or until steaming hot before eating because deli meats can carry Listeria.

Estimated nutrition

Per serving: 590 calories, 38 g protein, 45 g carbohydrate, 29 g fat, 4 g fiber, and 1,270 mg sodium. Nutrition is an estimate and will vary by brands, substitutions, and serving size.