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    Zen and Zaatar » Recipes » Main Dishes

    Vegan Pesto Caprese Sandwich

    Published: Aug 4, 2016 · Modified: Feb 24, 2025 by Zena | Zen and Zaatar · This post may contain affiliate links · 10 Comments

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    Jump to Recipe
    This vegan caprese sandwich recipe has layers of vegan basil pesto, stretchy cashew mozzarella, and tomato. Basil leaves, fresh tomato, vegan pesto, and plant based cashew mozzarella make a delicious sandwich combination.
    This vegan caprese sandwich recipe has layers of vegan basil pesto, stretchy cashew mozzarella, and tomato. Basil leaves, fresh tomato, vegan pesto, and plant based cashew mozzarella make a delicious sandwich combination.
    basil pesto caprese sandwich panini mozzarella vegan recipe food blog zenanzaatar zena zaatar

    The delicious flavors of garlicky pesto, fresh basil leaves, Roma tomatoes, and mozzarella combine to form this delicious vegan pesto caprese sandwich!

    The pesto consistency is just thick enough to be easily and generously spread all over this delicious sandwich.

    basil pesto caprese sandwich panini mozzarella vegan recipe food blog zenanzaatar zena zaatar

    Wait a second... mozzarella?? How could this beautiful, stretchy, gooey, melty substance that looks and tastes exactly like real mozzarella be vegan?! The lovely Somer of Vedged Out created an amazing "moxarella" cheese recipe from cashews and tapioca starch, which I have adapted to create the perfect "fresh mozzarella ball" consistency and taste for this recipe!

    basil pesto caprese sandwich panini mozzarella vegan recipe food blog zenanzaatar zena zaatar

    Combined with Roma tomato slices and fresh basil leaves, this sandwich is reminiscent of a fresh mozzarella caprese sandwich I had at a deli in Italy before going vegan.

    basil pesto caprese sandwich panini mozzarella vegan recipe food blog zenanzaatar zena zaatar

    I absolutely love the simplicity of a caprese sandwich or salad. The fresh flavors of three simple ingredients combine to create something so delicious!

    basil pesto caprese sandwich panini mozzarella vegan recipe food blog zenanzaatar zena zaatar

    Adding a fresh savory basil pesto takes this simple caprese sandwich to the next level.

    basil pesto caprese sandwich panini mozzarella vegan recipe food blog zenanzaatar zena zaatar

    basil pesto caprese sandwich panini mozzarella vegan recipe food blog zenanzaatar zena zaatar

    You can top these sandwiches in whatever order you want, but I love to make it with double layers of cheese, tomatoes, basil, and pesto so it stacks high and and you get more tastiness with every bite!

    basil pesto caprese sandwich panini mozzarella vegan recipe food blog zenanzaatar zena zaatar

    I hope you love these sandwiches as much as I do!

    vegan pesto caprese sandwich with homemade mozzarella

    Don't forget to let me know in the comments if you try this recipe, or pin it for later! And I would love to see your recreations on Instagram @zenandzaatar!

    Recipe

    basil pesto caprese sandwich panini mozzarella vegan recipe food blog zenanzaatar zena zaatar

    Vegan Pesto Caprese Sandwich

    Zena
    A vegan pesto caprese sandwich, filled with fresh basil leaves, juicy tomatoes, homemade pesto, and stretchy, gooey, cashew mozzarella.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Sandwiches
    Servings 4 sandwiches
    Calories 345 kcal

    Equipment

    • Ninja NJ601AMZ Professional Blender
    • Hoosier Hill Farm Nutritional Yeast Flakes, 1 Pound
    • Raw Cashews

    Ingredients
      

    Vegan pesto

    • 2 cups basil leaves
    • ½ cup pine nuts or walnuts
    • 2 cloves garlic
    • 3 tablespoon nutritional yeast
    • 2 tablespoon lemon juice
    • 2 tablespoon olive oil
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt

    Vegan Mozzarella*

    • ¼ cup + 2 tablespoon raw cashews Soaked for at least 2 hours if you don't have a high speed blender
    • 2 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon tapioca starch
    • 1 cup hot water
    • 2 teaspoon lemon juice
    • 1 teaspoon olive oil
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt
    • 1 teaspoon nutritional yeast

    Sandwich

    • 4 roma tomatoes
    • 1 cup basil leaves
    • Ciabatta or focaccia roll or bread of choice

    Instructions
     

    • Prepare the vegan pesto first. Combine basil leaves, pine nuts, and garlic in the food processor and pulse until well incorporated. Add nutritional yeast, sea salt, and lemon juice and pulse until combined. Slowly add in olive oil a little at a time while the food processor is running to thin out the pesto. Once thoroughly combined, set pesto aside for later. You can place it in the refrigerator to thicken it a little more for easy spreading.
    • Put all ingredients for vegan mozzarella in a high speed blender and blend until completely smooth, about 1 minute. Pour mixture onto a skillet over medium high heat and stir with a wooden spoon. After a few minutes, mixture will look like it's curdling or separating, but just keep mixing. Soon the mixture will thicken into a stretchy, mozzarella-like consistency, after 3-5 minutes total. Set aside.
    • Slice roma tomatoes. Divide bread into 4 sandwiches. Place a few basil leaves on each bottom slice. Top with a few dollops of "mozzarella." You may need to stretch and cut the mozzarella into pieces for each sandwich. Top with tomato slices. Top with a few dollops of pesto. Repeat layers until you are satisfied with the sandwiches. Serve immediately. Enjoy!

    Notes

    *Adapted from Somer's lovely recipe at Vedged Out!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 345kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 11gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 19gSodium: 786mgFiber: 5gSugar: 4g
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below and tag @zenandzaatar on social!


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    Comments

      5 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Vegan Recipes says

      August 19, 2016 at 8:33 am

      What a fantastic recipe! I always loved caprese sandwich, thank you for this fantastic vegan alternative! 🙂

      Reply
      • Zena | Zena 'n Zaatar says

        August 19, 2016 at 8:43 am

        Aww thank you for stopping by!! Let me know if you try it, I hope you love it! ????

        Reply
    2. Cheryl says

      September 24, 2017 at 10:49 am

      Can you freeze the cheese?

      Reply
      • Zena | Zena 'n Zaatar says

        October 16, 2017 at 10:38 am

        I haven't tried, but you are welcome to try that and report back! Cheers! <3

        Reply
    3. Willemijn says

      December 01, 2018 at 4:32 pm

      How did you get it so white? Mine turned out a bit yellow. It does not really taste like mozzarella, but It is tasty!

      Reply
    Headshot image of the author of Zen and Zaatar, Zena Hassoun, MS.

    Welcome!

    Hi, I’m Zena, a passionate home cook with a Master’s in Medical Health Sciences. I’ve been vegan for nearly a decade and love creating approachable, Mediterranean-inspired recipes that nourish your body and soul.

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    55+ Vegan Recipes for Real Life

    The cover image of my e-cookbook, with text overlay "Vegan is Delicious: 55+ nourishing, innovative, plant-based recipes to satisfy vegans and omnivores alike! by Zena Hassoun, M.S., creator of Zen and Zaatar."

    Tired of the same meals or relying on takeout? Vegan is Delicious is full of flavorful, plant-based recipes (with photos!) plus a 7-day meal plan to make home cooking feel effortless.

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