By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on June 12, 2026
Serves 2
420 cal · 20 min
Heirloom Tomato Pesto Panini
Recipe GLPR1257af9f1287f4
A fresh and vibrant vegetarian panini featuring layers of creamy chèvre, sweet heirloom tomatoes, aromatic pesto, and tender spinach pressed between crusty bread until golden and melted. Perfect as an appetizer or light lunch.
Save recipes you love
Create a free Grocery List Plus account to save recipes, rate them, and add every ingredient to your grocery list in one tap.
Ingredients
4 slices bread
4 tablespoons pesto
2 medium heirloom tomatoes
2 tablespoons chèvre
½ cup fresh spinach
1 tablespoon olive oil for cooking
Directions
Preheat your panini press to medium-high heat. Spread 2 tablespoons of pesto on two slices of bread and set them aside.
Slice the heirloom tomatoes into ¼-inch thick slices. Layer the tomato slices evenly over the pesto-covered bread slices.
Crumble and distribute 1 tablespoon of chèvre over the tomatoes on each slice. Layer the fresh spinach on top of the cheese.
Top each sandwich with a remaining slice of bread to close. Lightly spray the panini press with olive oil and gently place both sandwiches inside.
Close the panini press and cook for 8–10 minutes, until the bread is golden brown and crispy. (Note: cooking time may vary depending on your press.)
Remove the paninis from the press, slice diagonally or into quarters as desired, and serve immediately.
Comments
Heirloom tomatoes are a seasonal gamble in Charlotte; outside summer they're either absent or $5–8 per pound at specialty counters, and grocery-store pesto runs $4–6 for a small jar that covers two panini. Chèvre adds another $3–4 for a couple ounces you'll use here. The stated twenty minutes ignores bread-toasting and pressing time; count on 30. It's a lunch that does not reheat well—the bread will soften and the tomato releases liquid—so this is a same-day, same-seated meal. Best in June through August when heirloom tomatoes hit farmers markets or Publix, and worth it then.
Sign in or create a free account to add your review.
