Tomato Mozzarella Panini (Starbucks Copycat!)
This copycat Starbucks tomato mozzarella panini recipe is an easy meal that comes together in less than 30 minutes, can easily be prepped ahead, and is loaded with classic Caprese flavors. Made with just 5 simple ingredients, this caprese panini is a minimal meal with maximum flavor – just like my turkey pesto panini. Add some crockpot pesto chicken to this sandwich if you want an extra protein boost!
I recently had the Starbucks tomato and mozzarella panini and it was…slightly disappointing. Of course it was convenient (but also not satisfying enough for a whole meal) but I knew I could easily make my own version that is FULLY LOADED with flavor and not skimping on any of the ingredients. So that’s just what we’ve done here.
And if you like a good Starbucks copycat as much as I do, be sure to try my sweet cream cold foam, iced lavender matcha, lavender latte, or pink drink next time. (And here are 31 Starbucks drinks for kids!)
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
What You’ll Love About Caprese Panini
- Delicious and fresh flavors
- Nutritious and satisfying
- Vegetarian and easy to make vegan
- Just 10 minutes prep time
- Just 30 minutes total time
- Made with just 5 simple ingredients
Ingredients
- Tomatoes – Use grape or cherry tomatoes. Roasting the tomatoes takes 20 minutes, and it’s a great one to prep ahead if you want to cut down on cook time. If tomatoes are in season, you could also use sliced tomatoes if you prefer.
- Olive oil – Use a high quality olive oil for best flavor.
- Seasonings – The tomatoes are seasoned simply with salt and pepper.
- Bread – Look for a ciabatta roll. Take-and-bake rolls are a great option, but you can also look for ciabatta bread and then cut it into individual pieces. You could also use any type of bread.
- Mozzarella cheese – Use fresh mozzarella for best flavor, you could use a shredded mozzarella, but fresh mozzarella balls are preferred. You can find them sliced in most stores or buy a ball and slice yourself.
- Pesto – You can use homemade or store-bought pesto, whatever you prefer.
How to Make Starbucks Copycat Tomato Mozzarella Panini
This is an overview on how to make the copycat Starbucks tomato mozzarella panini, the detailed instructions can be found below in the recipe card.
FAQs
How many calories are in a Starbucks tomato mozzarella panini?
The tomato and mozzarella panini at Starbucks has 360 calories. I didn’t think it was satisfying as it felt like mostly bread to me, so we amped up the pesto, cheese, and tomatoes a bit for more flavor – and more calories. 🙂
What is in the tomato mozzarella panini?
This panini is a simple twist on a Caprese sandwich. It’s made with layers of pesto, tomatoes, mozzarella cheese. The Starbucks tomato mozzarella panini recipe also has spinach listed – my sandwich had two LEAVES. I left it off of my copycat version as I didn’t think it added anything.
Here is the ingredient list from Starbucks.com:
FOCACCIA ROLL [UNBLEACHED ENRICHED FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, MALTED BARLEY FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), WATER, SOUR CULTURE, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: SALT, SEMOLINA, CANOLA OIL, YEAST, ENZYMES], MOZZARELLA CHEESE [PASTEURIZED MILK, VINEGAR, SALT, ENZYMES], ROASTED TOMATOES [TOMATOES, CANOLA OIL, GARLIC, VINEGAR, SALT, SPICES], BASIL PESTO [BASIL, CANOLA OIL, PARMESAN CHEESE (PASTEURIZED COW’S MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT AND ENZYMES), GARLIC PUREE (WATER, GRANULATED GARLIC), RICE VINEGAR, BUTTER, ASCORBIC ACID, SEA SALT, BLACK PEPPER], SPINACH. ENZYMES ARE VEGETARIAN
Storage Instructions
Store the components in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. I do not recommend assembling and cooking the sandwich and then storing, make only what you will eat.
How to prep ahead:
- Roast tomatoes
- Make pesto if you’re making from scratch
What to Serve with Caprese Paninis
All these veggie sandwiches need is a simple side or two:
- Raw veggies and Greek yogurt dip
- Air Fryer Broccoli
- Potato chips
- Fresh fruit
How to Feed Tomato Mozzarella Paninis to the Whole Family
I get it, feeding kids can be tough! But following the Division of Responsibility and knowing your job (what, when, and where to serve meals/snacks) and your child’s job (what to eat and how much) makes it SO much more enjoyable. You’ll be able to feed your kids any meal, which will help ensure that they are eating a variety of nutritious foods – with plenty of play food sprinkled in.
Sandwiches can be tough for kids – not only are they difficult to eat, but tomato and mozzarella panini recipes like this one are also tough to deconstruct, so you have a few options.
One is to let your kids make their own, so they put the ingredients they want on their own sandwich. Another is to just serve the components separately, like a deconstructed sandwich then they can decide exactly what to eat and how many of the components they would like to eat.
As always, serve the meal with a few items you know your kids will eat, like fruit, milk, and/or bread and butter.
More Easy Sandwich Recipes
If you like this vegetarian panini recipe, you might also like some of these other easy sandwich recipes:
Print
Tomato Mozzarella Panini (Starbucks Copycat!)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Starbucks copycat tomato mozzarella (Caprese) panini is easy, made with simple ingredients, and loaded with fresh and delicious flavors!
Ingredients
- 1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- sea salt & black pepper for tomatoes
- 16 oz. ciabatta or focaccia bread (take and bake is perfect)
- 8 oz. fresh mozzarella cheese
- 8 Tbsp. pesto (1/2 cup)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- Roast tomatoes according to instructions here.
- Spread both sides of bread with pesto sauce. Top with tomatoes and mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for 6-8 minutes, or until cheese is melty. Gently press both sides of sandwich together, cut in half, and serve.
Equipment
Buy Now → Notes
- If you prefer to use fresh tomato slices, you can easily swap out the roasted grape tomatoes.
Food styling and photography by Loren Runion.
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Filling, delicious, and simple!
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks!
I make this for my Family several times a year… we love it!!! I even have my Sister and her Family making it now too!
Hi Lynne, Thank you so much! I’m so glad that your family loves it and that you are spreading the word. I appreciate it! 🙂
Yooooo it’s amazing!!! Thank you for the recipe!☺️????????
any tips on freezing these and reheating them? I want to make them for lunches!
I would wrap sandwiches in foil and store in a freezer bag. Take out morning you are going to eat them and let thaw and then bake when ready to eat! Or you could put on a panini press at that point as well. If you try it, let us know!