It’s a pizza panini! This panini recipe has a homemade tomato sauce that is combined with cheese and pepperoni and grilled inside a sandwich for an easy meal both sandwich and pizza lovers will enjoy.
Originally posted August 14, 2010, I recently remade this panini recipe and had to re-share with you all! Super easy and super delicious!
I’ve been a bit out of sorts this week. I stared the week off without a menu planned, and I have ended the week that way, too. I have family dinner at my sister’s house tomorrow, and I haven’t even decided what I am going to bring yet. Every day that I have cooked this week, I’ve gone to the grocery store on my way home from work, just having decided what to make that night, with no clue of what was going to happen the rest of the week. Maybe that’s why I’m feeling so exhausted right now and why I am SO happy it’s the weekend. I just know that I need to start next week off with a grocery list and 1 trip to the grocery store!!
One good thing that happened out of my disorganization this week was that I came across this recipe. I was at work, I didn’t have my notebook of RR recipes that I wanted to try, so I went online. I didn’t have time to search through tons of recipes, but I saw the link for sandwiches and thought to myself – not only would a sandwich be an easy dinner, but we haven’t had sandwiches for awhile! This was the first panini recipe that caught my eye, and it was a perfect one. Delicious, sweet tomatoes (from my garden!) make up a deliciously easy sauce, and you just can’t go wrong with chunks of melted mozzarella. These were so super easy, too – I can totally see making this panini recipe again!!
Like what you see here? Make sure you are following Taste and Tell for more great recipes and ideas!!
Facebook ** Pinterest ** Twitter ** Instagram ** Google+
or you can subscribe to my newsletter or Feedly or Bloglovin
Looking for more free recipes?
Subscribe to my free recipe newsletter to get new family friendly recipes in your inbox each week! Find me sharing more family-friendly inspiration on Pinterest and Instagram.

Pizza Panini Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
It’s a pizza panini! This panini recipe has a homemade tomato sauce that is combined with cheese and pepperoni and grilled inside a sandwich for an easy meal both sandwich and pizza lovers will enjoy.
Ingredients
- 2 pints grape tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons EVOO
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- salt and pepper
- 4 ciabatta rolls, cut in half
- 1 ball fresh regular or smoked mozzarella
- 12 leaves basil, torn
- 1/4 pound sliced pepperoni (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425F. Preheat a panini grill or place a large skillet over medium heat.
- Scatter the tomatoes onto a baking sheet and toss them with the olive oil, oregano, salt and pepper. Roast in the oven until they begin to burst, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer the tomatoes to a large bowl and mash them into a chunky sauce using a spoon or potato masher.
- Spread the tomato sauce over the cut side of each roll. Arrange the mozzarella and basil over the top, and if you are using pepperoni, layer that in as well. Close up the sandwiches and place on the panini grill until toasted and heated through and the cheese is melted. (If you are using a skillet, weigh the sandwich down with another pan and flip over once one side is toasted.)
- Cut the sandwiches and serve.
Recipe Notes:
slightly adapted from The Rachael Ray Show
kuriouskitteh says
Ahh, I used to do that all the time, always running to the grocery store after classes having just decided on what to eat. But good things come from unexpected places =). I haven't had pizza or sandwiches in a while, so I may just have to give this a go; thanks for sharing!
I hope your upcoming week goes smoother =).
~Kurious Kitteh
Joanne says
I go crazy without a plan or a grocery list! I spiral out of control and end up eating sushi for dinner. Delicious but expensive. Next time I'm making these paninis. They look excellent.
Monet says
I have been making so many trips to the grocery store this week…and I'm resolved to do better this upcoming Monday. I will go in with a plan and a list in hand. Your panini sounds delicious, and I think I'm going to add it to our meal plan next week. Thanks for sharing!
grace says
ardent list-maker here. i'm useless without one. also, i want to call this a pizz-nini and i'm not quite sure why. 🙂
Kim says
Oh…I know the feeling of leaving work and running to the store to then go home and cook something up. I feel your pain! These pizza-nin look like a perfect dinner, something that everyone would enjoy!
teresa says
how delicious! i especially love that fresh basil!
Evan B says
We brought a list with us to the grocery on Saturday and definitely ended up with waaay more. This pizza-nini looks delicious though so now I've got a new list to start 🙂
Natalie says
love paninis and love pizza, but i've never put them together! your sandwich looks delicious!
Allison says
Just stumbled upon your blog … what a treat. Like your pizza-nini discovery I found something unexpected and wonderful.
Tieghan says
Mmmm! I love that cheese oozing out!! Looks amazing!
Bev @ Bev Cooks says
Want like 53 trillion.
marcie@flavorthemoments. says
It’s lunch time. Can I have this? I can’t stand it!
Colleen @ What's Baking in the Barbershop?! says
Yes, please! This is such a great, creative recipe. Love the idea to combine pizza with panini! 🙂
Christina @ The Beautiful Balance says
YUM! This looks incredible. I wish I had a panini press.
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Oh this looks so good, love the tomatoes and basil!
Nutmeg Nanny says
Oh my god! This is glorious 🙂 I can’t wait to taste this wonderful creation!
Chels R. says
I’m in love with this!
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life says
My kids would absolutely love this! It looks delicious!!!
Chase Emory says
I had a severe case of the mondo munchies, but these pizza pennies were straight up SCRUMPIOUS dude. I got a gnarly burn on my hand cookin them, but it aight now.
my daughter will love these for her quinceanera
Sam Curran says
I am a big fan of creating my own panini at home. This is because I actually enjoy the process of putting my sandwiches together and cooking them. Best of all, there are lots of places to get inspiration from including cafes, sandwich shops, recipe books and websites. So thinking of what to make is not really a problem at all. Sometimes I simply buy a sandwich from a nearby store and then toast it when I get home. Then if it is one that I really enjoy, I add it to my list of favorites that I make myself.