Best 6 Quick Classic Panini Recipes

BASIC GRILLED PANINI

Steps:

• Drizzle olive oil on 1 side of each bread slice. Spread 1 tablespoon mayonnaise on the other side of each slice. Pile Cheddar cheese, ham, tomato, and onion on top. Top with other bread slice, mayonnaise side down.
• Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat; spray lightly with cooking spray. Place sandwich on grill; weigh it down with a heavy pan. Cook until cheese is melted and grill marks appear, 3 to 5 minutes per side.

ITALIAN PANINI

Steps:

• Slice the bread in half horizontally and spread the cut-sides with the honey mustard. Build the sandwich by layering the bottom half of the loaf with half of the provolone, followed by the ham, turkey, salami and the remaining provolone (the provolone should be touching the bread on both sides, with the meat sandwiched in between). Cover with the top half of the loaf.
• Spread some of the butter on top of the loaf, then carefully flip over and butter the bottom. Slice into the desired number of sandwiches
• Heat a large two-burner grill pan over medium heat, or heat a panini maker. Add the sandwiches to the pan and cook, pressing down with a spatula, until the undersides are golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes (see Cook's Note). Turn the sandwiches and continue to cook, pressing, until golden brown on the reverse side and the cheese is melted, another 3 to 4 minutes.
• Transfer the panini to a cutting board and slice in half. Serve immediately.

CLASSIC REUBEN PANINI

Steps:

• Heat closed contact grill 5 minutes.
• Spread butter on one side of each bread slice. On unbuttered side of 1 bread slice, spread 1 tablespoon of the dressing. Top with 1/4 cup of the sauerkraut, 2 oz corned beef, 2 slices cheese and remaining bread slice, buttered side up. Repeat for remaining sandwiches.
• When grill is heated, place sandwiches on grill. Close grill; grill 5 to 6 minutes or until cheese is melted and grill marks appear. Serve immediately.

SKINNY CHICKEN AND ROASTED VEGETABLE PANINIS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450° F. Line 2 cookie sheets with foil, and spray with cooking spray.
• In small bowl, mix salt, olive oil and vinegar.
• Using pastry brush, brush zucchini and onion with vinegar mixture; reserve remaining mixture. Place zucchini and onion in single layer on 1 of the cookie sheets. Place tomatoes on second cookie sheet. Roast 25 to 30 minutes, turning once, until zucchini and onions are golden brown and tomatoes give up most of their juices, rotating pans halfway through baking.
• Meanwhile, roast bell pepper over open gas flame (or under broiler) until blackened on all sides. Transfer to medium bowl, and cover with plastic wrap. Let steam 5 minutes, then transfer to cutting board. Cut off top of bell pepper, then use sharp knife to scrape blackened skin from flesh. Cut flesh into 1-inch strips.
• Spray panini grill with cooking spray; heat to medium-high heat.
• Divide vegetables between 2 slices of bread. Brush remaining vinegar mixture over veggies. Top with chicken, basil, then cheese. Top with second slice of bread. Place sandwiches in panini grill; grill 4 to 5 minutes or until cheese is melted and bread is thoroughly toasted.

QUICK CLASSIC PANINI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Spread a ciabatta half with some pesto, and layer with prosciutto and mozzarella. Spread some tapenade on other half; layer with peppers and fontina. Cover with remaining bread.
• Heat a griddle or cast-iron skillet over medium-low heat. Brush bread with oil. Place a sandwich in skillet; weigh down with another skillet. Cook until golden brown on first side, 3 to 4 minutes; flip, and cook until other side is golden and cheese has melted, 3 to 4 minutes more.
• Transfer to a baking sheet; keep warm in oven while grilling other sandwich. Cut each half into pieces. Serve immediately.

THE CLASSIC PANINI

Steps:

• Halve the roll. Drizzle cut sides with olive oil. Sprinkle with coarse salt and freshly ground pepper.
• Layer mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, prosciutto di Parma, and basil leaves on bottom half. Top with other half.
• Heat a grill pan over medium-low to medium heat until almost smoking. Lightly brush pan with olive oil. Place panino on pan; cover with a cast-iron or other heavy skillet weighed with soup cans. Gently press straight down. Grill, undisturbed, until browned and crisp on bottom, 3 to 4 minutes. With a spatula, flip panino. Repeat process, grill until crisp and browned on other side, 3 to 4 minutes more. Serve hot.