A delightful grilled veggie and mozzarella sandwich featuring marinated zucchini, bell peppers, red onion, and portobello mushrooms with fresh basil and balsamic glaze on crispy toasted ciabatta rolls, perfect for a satisfying vegetarian meal.
Total Time:35 minutes
Yield:4 servings
Ingredients
Vegetables
1 medium zucchini, sliced lengthwise (½ inch)
1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced into strips
½ red onion, sliced into thin rings
8 oz portobello mushrooms, stems removed and sliced
Sandwich & Marinade
4 ciabatta rolls, split
8 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced
3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp honey or maple syrup
1 clove garlic, minced
½ tsp sea salt
¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp fresh basil leaves, torn
Instructions
Preparing the Vegetables, Start by washing all vegetables and patting them dry. Slice the zucchini, bell pepper, onion, and mushrooms to uniform thickness so they cook evenly. Place the cut pieces in a large bowl.
Marinade & Toasting the Bread, Combine 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey or maple syrup, minced garlic, sea salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Brush this mixture generously over the ciabatta rolls. Toast the bread on the grill for 1-2 minutes until lightly browned and crisp, then set aside.
Grilling & Assembling, Preheat an outdoor grill or grill pan to medium-high (about 400°F). Drizzle remaining 2 tbsp olive oil over the vegetables and toss to coat. Grill vegetables for 3-4 minutes per side until grill marks appear and they are tender but not mushy. Remove from grill. Layer grilled vegetables on the toasted ciabatta, top with sliced fresh mozzarella and torn basil leaves. Drizzle some reserved balsamic marinade over the sandwich, then close and serve immediately.
Notes
For a vegan option, substitute fresh mozzarella with vegan cheese or omit altogether.
You can use a grill pan if you don't have access to an outdoor grill.
To enhance flavor, marinate vegetables in the olive oil and balsamic mixture for 15-30 minutes before grilling.
If ciabatta is unavailable, use another crusty bread like baguette or focaccia.
Honey can be replaced with maple syrup for a vegan alternative.
