The Recipe Critic

Ciabatta Sandwich

November 11, 2022

This Ciabatta Sandwich is a flavor packed and quick meal that is sure to satisfy! Fluffy and soft ciabatta bread is layered with quality deli turkey and salami on top of a bed of mozzarella and pesto for the perfect bite every time.

Sandwiches don’t have to be ham and cheese every time. There are so many combinations that make sandwiches a fun way to get a variety of flavors in a fast and easy way. You can also switch up the type of bread you make it with for even more options. If you love making bread, this Homemade Bread recipe is so much better than store bought and makes your home smell fantastic! Sourdough bread is also one of my favorites for a sandwich, and if you don’t have a starter yet, don’t worry! I have a recipe here for that too.

Ciabatta sandwich on a white plate with potato chips and basil next to it.

Ciabatta Bread Sandwich

Let’s talk about ciabatta! If you haven’t had it before, you are in for a treat. It is SUCH a tasty bread and it makes the ultimate sandwich. Ciabatta bread is a yeast dough that is full of air which is what makes the holes. It is also full of delicious savory flavor, and a nice crispy crust. You could compare it to a French baguette but it’s much wider. It is different than focaccia because it has a hard crust and a different flavor, but it looks similar in size and shape.

This ciabatta bread sandwich is so easy to whip up and is the perfect meal to feed a group of 6. The bread can be evenly sliced into 6 big servings that will leave everyone satisfied and wanting another piece at the same time. My kids definitely love this sandwich. They either ask for a Monte Cristo, or this ciabatta sandwich! You’ll want to save this recipe for later.

Ingredients

A sandwich is literally whatever you want it to be! You can assemble this sandwich however you like, but this is my favorite way to make it. I love each one of these ingredients that go in this ciabatta sandwich because they are fresh and so full of flavor. Check the recipe card below for exact measurements.

  • Ciabatta Bread: Ciabatta is a delicious and savory bread. It usually has a harder crust and lots of holes on the inside. It’s soft and chewy texture and makes a great sandwich bread!
  • Pesto Sauce: Pesto is a basil based sauce that is so yummy and full of flavor. The one I make at home has pine nuts, garlic, and olive oil as well which is what is in most store-bought pestos. It’s really easy to make at home and I always feel like it has better flavor when it’s homemade!
  • Deli Turkey: Any sliced turkey will do, I like to have them slice it for me fresh at the deli.
  • Italian Dry Salami: Salami is such a unique flavor and really makes this sandwich stand out. It is a cured meat so it has a great salty and savory flavor.
  • Tomato: Fresh tomato adds moisture and lots of flavor to this sandwich.
  • Mozzarella Cheese: You can buy mozzarella cheese in a log in the cheese section at the grocery store. It is a soft cheese with the perfect flavor to go with the turkey and pesto.
  • Fresh Basil Leaves: I like to add additional fresh basil on top to really bring all of the flavors together. You could leave this out if you wanted to, or add other herbs or veggies like spinach!
Process photos showing pesto on two pieces of ciabatta, then mozzarella added, then turkey and salami, lastly the basil and tomato.

Ciabatta Sandwich Recipe

I know everyone knows how to put a sandwich together! But there actually is a science to the way a sandwich is assembled. They’ve totally done research on it! Your tongue will taste different flavor combinations depending on how the sandwich is put together. I love this flavor combo because you taste pesto and cheese, then the yummy meats, finishing it off with fresh tomato. You can put it together however you like, this is just my favorite way.

  1. Slice: Slice the ciabatta loaf horizontally to assemble the sandwich open-faced.
  2. Add Pesto: Spread the pesto sauce on both sides of the loaf.
  3. Layer: Layer the sliced mozzarella cheese on the bottom half of the loaf.
  4. Add Meat: Next, layer on the turkey and salami.
  5. Add Toppings: Add the sliced tomatoes and fresh basil leaves.
  6. Enjoy: Carefully close the sandwich and slice it into smaller pieces to enjoy!
Ciabatta sandwich on a counter top with pesto in the background.

Additions and Substitutions

If you don’t like tomatoes, you don’t have to put them on your ciabatta sandwich! This sandwich can be whatever you want it to be, so get creative and don’t worry about making it the right way. It will taste great when you put what you love in it!

  • Salt and Pepper: You could add some freshly ground pepper and a pinch of salt on the top of this sandwich before closing it if you wanted to. I didn’t because I feel like the salami adds enough of those flavors already.
  • Leafy Greens: Some of you might want leafy greens on your sandwich like lettuce, spinach, or arugula. All of those would be great additions! You could also add any vegetable you wanted to this sandwich, there are no rules.
  • Different Cheeses: If you aren’t a fan of mozzarella, you are in luck because there are so many cheeses that would go great in this sandwich. I might choose provolone or swiss, but you could do white cheddar or gouda. If you like goat cheese, that would be perfection! Just choose whatever cheese you like best and I bet it will be delicious!
Sandwich on a plate with potato chips and basil next to it.

Storing Leftovers

Like most sandwiches, this ciabatta sandwich is best when eaten fresh. You can store this sandwich assembled for a few days in the fridge, but I suggest leaving it unassembled until you are ready to eat it.

In the Refrigerator: You can wrap your sandwich leftovers in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. The bread will start to get soggy because of the pesto and tomato, so I recommend eating it pretty quickly after making it.

What to Eat with Your Sandwich

I love a salty companion to a nice sandwich. I feel like taking a bite of something different in between makes my sandwich taste better. If you think I’m crazy, than you’ll just have to give these delicious sandwich sides a try!

Print

Ciabatta Sandwich

This Ciabatta Sandwich is a flavor packed and quick meal that is sure to satisfy! Chewy and soft ciabatta bread is layered with quality deli turkey and salami on top of a bed of mozzarella and pesto for the perfect bite every time.
Course lunch
Cuisine American
Keyword 10 minute, ciabatta sandwich
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 447kcal
Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

  • 1 loaf ciabatta bread, cut horizontally to assemble
  • 1/4 cup pesto sauce
  • 10 ounces deli turkey
  • 4 ounces Italian dry salami
  • 1 large tomato, sliced
  • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
  • fresh basil leaves

Instructions

  • Slice the ciabatta loaf horizontally to assemble the sandwich open-faced.
  • Spread the pesto sauce on both sides of the loaf.
  • Layer the sliced mozzarella cheese on the bottom half of the loaf.
  • Next, layer on the turkey and salami.
  • Add the sliced tomatoes and fresh basil leaves.
  • Carefully close the sandwich and slice it into smaller pieces to enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 447kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 1693mg | Potassium: 269mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 717IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 218mg | Iron: 1mg

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