panini sandwich recipes

Use a contact grill or a couple of skillets to create panini and other pressed sandwich treats.

This healthy cubano offers all the flavor of the original, with less of the saturated fat.

RODALE NEWS, EMMAUS, PA—For a satisfying lunch or a quick family supper, nothing beats the mix of crunch and melt that you get with grilled or pressed sandwiches. And from simple grilled cheese to traditional layered sandwiches like Reubens or Cubanos, we've got plenty of panini sandwich recipes to satisfy everyone's appetite. It’s also a cinch to make panini, the Italian ciabatta sandwiches that have taken America by storm, in the comfort of your own kitchen. (Though here in the U.S. we commonly hear the word “panini” used to describe one sandwich, in Italian panini is actually the plural form; the word to describe one sandwich would be panino.)

One easy way to make these panini sandwich recipes is to pull that electric two-sided grill out of the kitchen cupboard. These contact grills, with upper and lower grill plates that cook food on both sides at once, are perfect for making hot pressed sandwiches. You’ll find versions of contact grills specifically marketed as sandwich makers and panini presses. If you don't own one, shop around and you can probably find an affordable model on sale. (Sometimes the ones that aren't marketed as panini presses essentially do the same thing, and tend to be cheaper.) Apply a light coating of olive oil or butter to the sandwich before you cook it, and make sure the grill plates reach full temperature so you get crisp, brown toasted bread with great grill marks.

While a sandwich maker is great, you don’t really need any special equipment to create this warm, cheesy grilled goodness. Just heat a large nonstick skillet or ridged nonstick grill pan over medium heat, add a buttered or oiled sandwich (top side down, if you’re using a baguette, ciabatta, or any other kind of roll) and place another heavy-bottomed skillet on top of the sandwich, pressing down slightly to flatten. After the sandwich has cooked for a few minutes, flip it over, place the skillet back on top, and continue cooking until the sandwich is flat, lightly browned, and heated through. For an even simpler method, just press sandwiches down firmly and frequently with a spatula while they’re cooking in order to achieve a pressed effect and an evenly melted interior.

Read on to see recipes for classic grilled cheese and panini variations like one made with cheddar, apples, and crispy prosciutto.