Easy Turkey Panini Recipe
I love a good warm sandwich with melted cheese! From a classic Tuna Melt to a tasty Cuban Panini, in my house, we love them all. There is just something so comforting about biting into soft gooey cheese and meat layered between two slices of bread. So one day when I was surfing the web and saw the words “turkey pesto sandwich”, I looked over at my panini maker and thought done deal! I always have leftover pesto in my freezer because I make my own. Then all I did was add a few more ingredients like some roasted red pepper, tomato, and cheese and this easy 15-minute Turkey Pesto Panini recipe was born! It’s the perfect lunch with some Baked Parmesan Zucchini Crisps or a cup of Roasted Tomato Soup. And also a fantastic quick and easy dinner when served with a hearty Chopped Salad or Caesar Salad.
Bread – I made my turkey paninis with some dark rye, but feel free to use your favorite bread or buns. Turkey – Sliced cold cut style turkey is what I normally use, but any type of sliced turkey or chicken is fine. If you have leftover turkey, this would also be a great use for it. Roasted Red Peppers – They add a bit of sweetness to the panini. You will find them either jarred or canned in the aisle with the olives. Basil Pesto – Store-bought basil pesto works just fine or you can make your own pesto. Cheddar – I like to use cheddar cheese slices, but any type of sliced cheese that melts well will work, like provolone or Swiss cheese.
This easy recipe can be made in under 15 minutes in just 2-steps. Once you have gathered all the ingredients, you just build the sandwich, grill, and eat! Panini perfection in no time!
Preheat The Panini Maker
To start, turn on your panini press to get it nice and hot. You don’t want to waste any time waiting for it to heat up or try to grill the turkey panini on a press that isn’t hot enough. The results will not be as good. Also, you will want to check out your manufacturer’s guide for more details on how to use your model of panini maker.
Assemble The Panini
Once you’ve got all the ingredients laid out, it’s time to start building the panini sandwiches. Begin by spreading some basil pesto on one side of each slice of bread. Then top 2 of the slices of bread with the sliced turkey, cheese slices then roasted red pepper. Now, put the other 2 slices of bread on top and your paninis are assembled and ready to grill!
Grill And Serve
First, make sure your panini maker is hot. Then transfer the turkey pesto sandwiches to the press and grill them for about 3 minutes or until the cheese has melted and grill marks have formed. How long they take to grill can vary depending on your model.
What Else Can I Add To My Panini?
Anything! Feel free to craft the sandwich any way you like by adding fresh spinach or arugula, different types of meat, bacon, or even making it totally vegetarian. There are no rules here! You can even make it with leftover Thanksgiving turkey instead of deli turkey.
Do I Need A Panini Maker TO Make This Recipe?
No, you can just use a grill pan and cook it like you do grilled cheese. Then use something heavy to press on it like a panini maker. As long as the sandwich is pressed and the cheese melts it will work.
Leftovers
Already grilled turkey pesto panini will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can simply put it back on the panini maker for a few minutes or put the sandwich in the oven at 350°F (177°C) on a sheet pan for about 7 minutes.
Other Great Sandwiches You’ll Love
Croque Monsieur Reuben Sandwich Philly Cheesesteak Cucumber Sandwiches Club Sandwich Italian Sub Sandwich Hawaiian Ham And Cheese Stromboli
