15 Italian Panini Recipes That Are Truly Amore

Nothing beats an Italian sandwich. 

Unless it’s an Italian panini sandwich, that is. 

Italian panini recipes aren’t all the same.

Italy is a country rich with flavors and quintessential ingredients.

Knowing how to combine them to make Italian paninis is the secret to your best lunch.

Or even a light dinner.

Because these hot, pressed sandwiches are delicious any time of day.  

You’ll find them with cured meats, tomato sauces, and even creamy alfredo.

When you need handheld Italian tastes, this bounty of Italian panini sandwiches will help see you through your worst hunger and fill you right up!

Make These 15 Italian Panini Sandwich Recipes for a Satisfying Meal

Grab your Italian panini bread or any bread you’ve got and stuff it with bold Italian flavors to harness these wonderful ideas! 

1. Caponata Panini

 

Have you ever had caponata before?

If not, it needs to be on your list.

And there’s no better way to have it than within a warm and toasty panini!

It’s made with eggplant, diced tomatoes, red bell peppers, celery, onions, capers, and raisins. 

Trust us, it’s *chef’s kiss* superb stuff!

2. Italian Chicken Panini

If you have leftover chicken from last night, you’ve got to make the Italian chicken panini for lunch today.

You’re almost done when you’ve got cooked chicken ready to go.

It’s one of the most simplest (and yummiest) of my go-to chicken panini recipes.

Choose Italian panini bread and smear it with a little pesto mixed in with mayo.

Then add thinly-sliced slivers of red onions and roasted red peppers.

Oh, and that mozzarella cheese and tomatoes too.

There you go…Italian chicken paninis that everyone will devour!

3. Italian Panini with Prosciutto and Genoa Salami

 

Are you ready for an Italian panini sandwich that will blow you away?

Simple flavors come together on top of crusty Italian panini bread.

You’ve got creamy ricotta cheese, prosciutto, mozzarella, Genoa salami, roasted red peppers, and fresh leaves of baby spinach.

Pressed together, it becomes this melty, creamy, dreamy concoction.

You’ll wish you thought to put ricotta on your Italian panini before. 

Well, now you know!

Let Heidy from McCallum’s Shamrock Patch show you how to make it.

4. Grilled Italian Vegetarian Panini

 

Now, so many people think that an Italian panini sandwich needs to have meat.

Traditionally, it does, but if you want Italian flavors and a more plant-based option, this one is for you.

This simple sandwich creation tastes amazing when you’ve got a bounty of fresh veggies around.

Specifically, if you have quality tomatoes.

They are the star of this show!

You need Italian panini bread, provolone, fresh spinach, sliced red onions, and some pesto too.

Don’t be shy…add some roasted red peppers in there too if you like.

But even if you keep it true to the recipe, you’ll find this Italian panini to be true amore for you.

If you want more ideas like this, check out our list of vegetarian paninis!

5. Roasted Red Pepper, Mushroom and Provolone Panini

 

What do you get when you combine mushrooms, roasted red peppers, and provolone?

Instead of wondering, make it and find out!

This is the perfect filling for an Italian panini sandwich!

Add a little mayo to keep the bread from becoming dry and stuff your sourdough with these fillings.

This recipe is from Lauren at Midget Momma and while it is for a grilled cheese, all you’ve got to do is press it in your panini press for awesome Italian flavors!

6. Tuscan-Style Panini

Yes, you CAN make Tuscany’s flavors come alive in your kitchen with a Tuscan-style panini!

Marinate your chicken in Italian dressing along with red peppers and zucchini. 

After 30 minutes, you can cook that up and add it to your Italian panini bread.

Toss on some mozzarella and basil and you’ll have a fresh take on lunch with this Italian panini recipe!

7. Meatball Panini

 

You can make a meatball panini to satisfy your Italian panini cravings.

If you have leftover meatballs, that’s great too!

Simply heat your meatballs in marinara sauce.

Then add to your Italian panini bread with provolone and a little arugula for color.

When you press it together, the magic happens!

If you need help making it, check out the recipe at Rosina Recipes. 

8. Spicy Italian Panini

While Italian panini sandwiches are delish, if you like spice, you may feel like you’re missing something.

No worries, for the spicy Italian panini is here for you.

The key to the best spicy Italian panini is using quality meats and cheeses.

Grab provolone, deluxe ham, and Italian salami. 

Slather your Italian panini bread or some ciabatta with mayo and top with roasted red peppers, banana peppers, and fresh basil.

Then, press this heavenly creation together and enjoy it with maximum spiciness.

9. Alfredo Florentine Chicken Panini

 

Not every Italian panini sandwich needs to have cured meats or tomato-based sauces.

Don’t forget about that creamy, dreamy sauce known as alfredo.

You can make an alfredo Florentine chicken panini that will satisfy that desire for white sauce. 

All you need is cooked chicken, cooking crème, fresh baby spinach, and Italian blend shredded cheese.

Cook the spinach, chicken, and cheese in the crème on your stove, then spread it onto your crusty Italian bread.

Try this one with turkey to for a delicious panini variation.

Press it to crispy perfection and enjoy your new favorite panini!

10. Prosciutto and Parmesan Panini

 

Here’s a different way to do an Italian panini recipe. 

You’ll combine prosciutto with shaved parmesan, and tapenade onto your Italian panini bread.

When it’s done, you’ll add in some arugula which gives it some more nutrients and that signature peppery taste.

Oh, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar too.

This one truly hits the spot!

For more details on the recipe, check out Bite Your Cravings.

11. Chicken Pepperoni Parmesan Panini

 

Got picky kids?

Make them a lunch they’ll want again and again.

The chicken pepperoni parmesan panini has it all!

Chicken strips, pepperoni, mozzarella, marina sauce, and parmesan all unite on sourdough bread for a melty, gooey and utterly divine sandwich.

The pepperoni really peps it up, making it almost like a pizza-meets-chicken-tenders marriage in your mouth.

Get the full recipe from Alyssa at What’s Cooking Love.

12. Eggplant and Mozzarella Panini

Grilled eggplant comes together with smoked mozzarella for an incredible flavor.

With the addition of sun-dried tomatoes, olive oil, and just a hint of salt and pepper, you will never want to eat eggplant any other way again.

Or not have smoked mozzarella.

Use ciabatta rolls for this panini or your favorite Italian panini bread.

You’re going to love it!

13. Veal Parma Panini

Now, if you really want to impress someone for a weekend lunch or a handheld dinner, make them veal parma panini.

Prepare veal scallopine with bread crumbs and pan-fry until crispy.

Add prosciutto, mozzarella, tomato sauce, and some baby spinach leaves.

And of course, it can’t be a panini until you press it all together.

The veal is crispy and juicy all at once, a beautiful tasting experience.

It’s going to be your favorite Italian panini recipe for sure!

14. Italian Panini Sandwich

You’re almost through the entire Italian panini recipes list and where is that tried and true Italian panini sandwich?

If you need help putting it together, all you need is Italian panini bread, salami, provolone, prosciutto, mortadella, ham, and capicola.

Don’t forget some sweet and hot peppers plus thinly-sliced red onions and tomatoes.

Add a drizzle of oil and vinegar and pop it in your panini press.

It will be the best version of the Italian sandwich you ever had!

15. Shrimp Parmigiana Panini

 

And our final Italian panini recipe today is inspired by a hero.

But you’ll be the real hero if you make this one. 

You’ll need time to prepare the shrimp with bread crumbs for a crispy exterior.

Or if you have leftover fried shrimp from the night before, it’s already good to go.

Then you’ll add your shrimp to your Italian panini bread or whatever you’re using.

Pour on that lovely marinara sauce and add that mozzarella cheese.

You’ll give it a nice pressing and your panini will taste like it came from an old-school Italian ristorante.

For more inspiration on the recipe, you can check out Gina’s tips at Skinny Taste.

As you can see, there’s more than one way to make an Italian panini recipe.

Pair any of these with a yummy Italian soup recipe, and you’ll practically be in Italy!

If you thought it was just a pile of cured meats on pressed bread, now you know there are many ways to give your panini that deliciously Italian twist you’ve been craving!