Vegan Pesto Panini
Savor the irresistible flavors of a Vegan Pesto Panini, a plant-based twist on the classic sandwich that’s sure to delight your taste buds! This recipe features a creamy, homemade vegan pesto crafted from fresh basil, raw cashews, and nutritional yeast, delivering a rich, dairy-free alternative bursting with umami. Layered between slices of crusty ciabatta bread are gooey vegan mozzarella, juicy tomato, buttery avocado, and crisp spinach leaves—making every bite a symphony of textures and vibrant flavors. Quickly grilled to golden perfection in under 10 minutes, this panini offers an easy yet gourmet lunch or dinner option. Perfect for vegans and pesto lovers alike, it’s wholesome, satisfying, and packed with plant-powered nutrition.
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Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 0.5 cup raw cashews
- 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove
- 0.25 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons water
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 slices ciabatta bread
- 1 cup vegan mozzarella cheese
- 1 large tomato
- 1 avocado
- 1 cup baby spinach leaves
Directions
Step 1
Start by preparing the pesto. In a food processor, combine basil leaves, cashews, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, and garlic. Pulse until the mixture is roughly chopped.
Step 2
While the food processor is running, slowly add olive oil and water, blending until the pesto is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Set aside.
Step 3
Preheat a panini press or a large skillet over medium heat.
Step 4
Slice the ciabatta bread in half horizontally if using rolls, or use already sliced bread. Spread a generous amount of pesto on each slice.
Step 5
Layer vegan mozzarella cheese on two of the bread slices. Proceed with adding slices of tomato, avocado, and a handful of spinach leaves.
Step 6
Top each with the other slice of bread, pesto side down.
Step 7
Place the sandwiches on the preheated panini press and grill for about 5 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and the vegan cheese is melted. If using a skillet, press the sandwich down with a spatula and flip carefully to grill the other side.
Step 8
Remove from heat, slice in half, and serve warm. Enjoy your homemade Vegan Pesto Panini!
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (1048.3g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 2431.8 |
| Total Fat 154.1g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 49.8g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 2.9g | |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 5957.2mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 190.7g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 26.5g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 19.7g | |
| Protein 59.0g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 1424.2mg | 0% |
| Iron 18.4mg | 0% |
| Potassium 2068.6mg | 0% |
Source of Calories