Best pesto meatball panini recipe by oh sweet basil (2024)

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3.70 from 20 votes

It’s like a mashup between your favorite meatball sub and that classic chicken panini- the pesto meatball panini and it’s what’s for dinner!

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This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Johnsonville Italian Sausage. The opinions and text are all mine.

Best pesto meatball panini recipe by oh sweet basil (1)

One of the first paninis Cade and I ever enjoyed was a chicken pesto and it was pretty much bomb.com. Since then we’ve posted a few paninisbut they were all from years and years ago, in other words really bad pictures. There’s the chicken pesto, peppered turkey pesto, and prosciutto and pear panini, but everything was pretty much basic. I wanted to have a little fun with friends before baby arrived so back in October we had a panini party and let our friends build killer paninis. It was so much fun and even more delicious! I made this pesto meatball panini and oh my heavens, I may have to ditch my chicken pesto forever. It’s like a mashup between your favorite meatball sub and chicken pesto panini! And it’s taken over our pizza night, now we do build your own panini bar and often invite friends!

Best pesto meatball panini recipe by oh sweet basil (2)

Ok, maybe not forever, but why haven’t I tried mashing up more flavors before? Pesto is awesome of course, but just wait until you add some saucy meatballs, gooey cheese, pesto butter and then grill the whole sucker together. You guys, it’s awesome!

Best pesto meatball panini recipe by oh sweet basil (3)

We’ve all become obsessed with taking favorite classic recipes and making simple swaps with the meat like we did with our Sausage Alfredo Pasta in our last Johnsonville post.

Best pesto meatball panini recipe by oh sweet basil (4)

For this recipe I just grabbed Johnsonville meatballs from our local store’s freezer section and some I left plain while others I tossed in a simple marinara sauce.

Best pesto meatball panini recipe by oh sweet basil (5)

Then we stirred together butter and pesto for the outside of the sandwich, added a smear of fresh pesto on the inside, stacked it with cheese and took those saucy meatballs you normally find on a classic meatball sub and put it on our normally chicken pesto panini!

We loved the meatballs instead of chicken and cannot wait to try even more versions like a meatball french dip, meatball noodle soup (back it up chicken, there’s a new guy in town!) and so much more!

Best pesto meatball panini recipe by oh sweet basil (6)

What Is a Panini?

A panini is a grilled sandwich made from bread other than sliced bread.

The most commonly used bread types for panini are baguette, ciabatta, and michetta.

Can Paninis be Grilled in a Skillet Instead of a Panini Press?

Yes, you can use a heavy frying pan or skillet to grill a panini.

Heat grill pan over medium heat; place sandwich in the pan and top with another heavy pan.

How Long Will Pesto Last?

Purchased, unopened Pesto will last 6-8 weeks in the pantry or 6-8 months in the freezer.

If opened, it will last 7-14 days in the refrigerator.

Homemade pesto will last 5-7 days in the refrigerator or 3-4 months in the freezer.

Pesto Meatball Panini

Pesto Meatball Panini

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3.70 from 20 votes

Servings: 3

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 30 minutes mins

Total Time: 35 minutes mins

Description

It's like a mashup between your favorite meatball sub and that classic chicken panini- the pesto meatball panini and it's what's for dinner!

Ingredients

  • 6 Slices Italian Sourdough Bread
  • 1/2 Cup Pesto
  • 1 Jar Marinara Sauce
  • 1 Teaspoon Fresh Basil, chopped
  • 1 Clove of garlic, minced
  • 1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
  • 1 Bag Johnsonville Meatballs
  • 12 Slices Mozzarella Cheese

For the Pesto Butter

  • 1/3 Cup Butter, softened
  • 1/4 Cup Pesto

Instructions

  • In a deep skillet, over medium heat, add the marinara, fresh basil, garlic and parmesan cheese.

  • Add the meatballs and bring to a boil.

  • Turn the heat to low and place a lid on top.

  • Simmer for 25-30 minutes.

  • Heat a panini grill or regular pan to medium high.

  • Spread pesto on the top and bottom layers of bread.

  • Slice the meatballs in half so they don't roll out of the sandwich.

  • Place mozzarella cheese on the two slices of pesto bread.

  • Spoon about 6 meatballs halves and sauce onto the bottom piece of bread and close the lid, pesto side down.

  • Spread the top and bottom of the sandwich with pesto butter and grill until golden.

For the butter

  • Mix the pesto and butter until smooth.

Notes

reheat in a toaster oven for 8-10 minutes

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 1794kcalCarbohydrates: 87gProtein: 86gFat: 123gSaturated Fat: 52gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 35gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 318mgSodium: 3558mgPotassium: 1577mgFiber: 7gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 3711IUVitamin C: 18mgCalcium: 909mgIron: 10mg

Author: Sweet Basil

Course: 100 + BEST Easy Beef Recipes for Dinner

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This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Johnsonville Italian Sausage. The opinions and text are all mine.

Best pesto meatball panini recipe by oh sweet basil (2024)

FAQs

What kind of bread to use for panini? ›

Use Half-Inch Thick Bread To Make A Panini

These include ciabatta, focaccia, rye, French, and sourdough. But no matter which bread you use, your slices should always be about a ½-inch thick. If you use slices that are thicker than that, you'll taste way too much bread when you bite into your panini.

How long does fresh pesto last? ›

FAQ: How Long Does Homemade Pesto Last? You can store this basil pesto in a jar or sealable container, then tightly seal and refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 2–3 months. Let it thaw at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

Should I butter bread before panini press? ›

Butter the outside for crispy grilled bread that heightens the flavour of my favourite panini.

What is the best cheese for paninis? ›

8 Best Cheeses for Melting in Pastas, Paninis, Omelets, Casseroles, and More
  1. Fontina. Fontina can be buttery and a bit fruity; Fontina Val d'Aosta, from Italy's Aosta Valley, is firmer, more pungent, and nuttier (and always made of raw milk). ...
  2. Gouda. ...
  3. Asiago. ...
  4. Taleggio. ...
  5. Reblochon. ...
  6. Provolone. ...
  7. Mozzarella. ...
  8. Gruyère.
Oct 18, 2023

Can I freeze homemade pesto? ›

You can freeze in small pint-size jars or for single servings for making soups or dressing freeze in ice cube trays. Small ice cube trays work well for small batches of soups or if you tend to need more pesto, freeze in big ice cube trays. Pour the pesto into trays and cover with freezer wrap and place in the freezer.

Is pesto healthy? ›

Pesto Adds a Ton of Nutrients and Flavor to Food

Pesto is a delicious sauce often made from basil, olive oil, garlic, parmesan cheese and pine nuts. All of these ingredients have health benefits and the reason this topping is considered healthy is that the fat source is unsaturated.

What causes pesto to go bad? ›

Once opened or prepared, pesto should be stored in an airtight container to prevent exposure to air, which can deteriorate its quality. One can take the storage a step further by adding a thin layer of olive oil on top of the pesto before sealing it, which acts as a barrier to reduce oxidation and maintain freshness.

Can I use regular bread in a panini press? ›

You can use a variety of bread for a grilled cheese panini, but make sure the slices are thick enough that they can withstand the pressure and the heat of the panini press.

What is the difference between panini bread and regular bread? ›

Confused ? A Panini is actually an Italian name for sandwiches ( It's a plural of Panino) . While a Sandwich in general represents anything between the two breads , Panini uses a specific Italian bread like Focaccia or Ciabatta. ( Focaccia is typically a flat bread while Ciabatta is baked as loaf bread.

What is the best bread for a sandwich press? ›

The Safe Bet: Traditional Breads for Sandwiches
  • White Bread. Classic white bread is milled and mild, with a soft texture and a thin crust. ...
  • Rye. ...
  • Ciabatta. ...
  • Italian. ...
  • French baguette. ...
  • Brioche. ...
  • Sourdough. ...
  • Challah.
Apr 22, 2024

What can you use instead of a panini press? ›

If you do not have a Panini press, you can heat a heavy skillet over medium-high heat and cook each side for several minutes, using a lid or another skillet to press the sandwich while cooking.

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