This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
The very best Sun-dried Tomato Pesto Turkey Sandwich. Crusty ciabatta bread sandwiched with homemade Caesar, basil pesto, provolone and Havarti cheese, and deli-cut turkey breast. The sandwich is then baked until toasted and melty, then topped with avocado and even more dressing. It’s every bit as DELICIOUS as it sounds, and it’s perfect for game day, too!
Half Baked Harvest At Home
20+ new recipes for wholesome comfort food made with everyday ingredients. Pre-order today! HBH At Home will be released on Tuesday, February 23rd!
I don’t share many sandwich recipes, but when I do, I’m always very excited about them! This started out as something on a smaller scale, but then, as the idea grew in my head, it became this delicious dinner-style sandwich complete with melted cheese and the most delicious homemade Caesar dressing.
When I set out to make this, I knew I wanted to include sun-dried tomatoes. In the winter, I love using these in place of fresh tomatoes. I often find them even more delicious, too.
I’ve used them in countless recipes, from Italian pasta to creamy crockpot chicken to gnocchi. Sun-dried tomatoes really are one of my favorite ingredients.
I really love the combination of sun-dried tomatoes and basil, so pesto was another must-have for this recipe. Homemade pesto or store-bought pesto are both great. Then turkey for protein, and the rest just fell into place.
I made a quick homemade creamy Caesar dressing with a tahini base, then layered everything together. It turned out so yummy!
Some Details
Step 1: make the dressing
You can easily buy the Caesar dressing from the store, but I love my homemade dressing so much more. It uses tahini (or try mayo) in place of raw eggs, so it’s much easier and quicker to make. And I think it tastes better, too!
Blend the tahini with lemon juice, dijon, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese (the secret). Then add water to thin it out again. Yum.
Step 2: assemble
Begin assembling the sandwich. I use ciabatta bread, but fresh focaccia bread or sourdough bread would be yummy too!
Slice the loaf in half lengthwise, then, working with the bottom piece first, spread on a bit of dressing and all of the basil pesto. Then layer with sun-dried tomatoes, pepperoncini, deli-cut turkey, Havarti, and provolone cheese.
Step 3: bake
Once you have everything layered up on the bottom piece of bread, throw the baking sheet in the oven to get the sandwich warm and the cheese melted.
When the cheese is melted, pull the pan out of the oven. Add the slices of avocado and broccoli sprouts, add the dressing, and finish with the top piece of bread. I like to bake for 5-10 minutes more to get the sandwich nice and toasty. You could even use a panini press.
Step 4: enjoy warm and melty
Pull the sandwich out of the oven, then simply slice and serve. The sandwich is best when the cheese is warm and melty. Enjoy with your favorite chips – I feel like chips really round out the sandwich experience. Or maybe a side of healthy greens, or both!
I love all the colors, the flavors, and the ingredients hidden within this stacked-up turkey pesto sandwich recipe!! This one is fun! It would be great for playoff games and the upcoming Super Bowl!
Whenever you decide to serve this, it’s delicious. I could not love it more!
Looking for other winter recipes? Here are a few ideas:
Skillet White Pesto Marry Me Chicken and Orzo
Crockpot Spicy Queso Beef Chili
Havarti Avocado Sandwich with Spicy Mayo
Lemony Pesto Chicken Noodle Soup
Lastly, if you make this Sun-dried Tomato Pesto Turkey Sandwich, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And, of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Sun-dried Tomato Pesto Turkey Sandwich
Ingredients
Dressing
- 1/2 cup tahini , (or use mayo)
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1-2 cloves garlic, grated
- salt and black pepper
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan
Sandwich
- 1 loaf Ciabatta bread, halved lengthwise
- 1/2 cup basil pesto
- 1/2 cup oil packed sun-dried tomatoes, sliced
- 1/2 cup sliced pepperoncini
- 6-12 thin slices deli-style turkey
- 6 slices gouda or havarti cheese
- 6 slices provolone cheese
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1 cup fresh broccoli sprouts/microgreens
Instructions
- 1. To make the dressing. Combine all ingredients in a bowl or glass jar. Thin as needed with cold water (using up to 1/3 cup water). Taste and adjust the salt and pepper.2. To make the sandwich. Preheat the oven to 400° F. Lay the bread, cut side up, on a cutting board. Working with the top piece of ciabatta, pull out some of the insides to create a space for the filling. Spread the Caesar dressing over the bottom piece of bread, then add the basil pesto. Now add the sun-dried tomatoes and sliced pepperoncini. Layer the cheese and turkey on top and season with salt and pepper. Bake for 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted. 3. Remove from the oven. Arrange the sliced avocado over the turkey. Add the sprouts, then drizzle with additional dressing. Add the top half of the ciabatta and gently push down on the sandwich. Bake another 5 minutes until toasted. 4. Remove from the oven. Slice into six sandwiches. Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
very tasty sandwich, will be making again!
Love to hear this Hilary! Thanks so much for trying the sandwich! xT
I cannot wait to go grocery shopping so I can make this again! I was questioning all the sauce and toppings, but it was a masterpiece 🙂
Thanks so much Kinzie!!
This sandwich was awesome and will become a staple dinner option in my house. We were invited to our friends for dinner and this is what was served. We couldn’t stop raving about this sandwich, and couldn’t stop eating. It was served with chips, of course, but also a side of fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. Perfect additions. The only thing that was substituted out was arugula fore the broccoli sprouts due to what was available, and I would say gave the sandwich an extra level of peppery flavor which we loved. ***** 5 stars
Hi Lianne,
Awesome!! Thanks a lot for trying this recipe and your feedback! Love to hear that it was enjoyed! xT
Could I use broccoli rabe (rapini)? I’ve never used that before so I’m not sure how that would turn out in this recipe. My local stores do not have the broccoli sprouts. Or maybe you could recommend a different substitute?
Hi Destiny! Yes, that should work just fine! xT
So good!! Made this tonight for my husband and his friends having game night. They devoured these delicious sandwiches! HBH will always be a win in my house. These recipes are such a gift!
Thank you so much! Always loveee to hear when a recipe is enjoyed! Have a great rest of your week! 🙂 xT
This was delicious and came together very quickly! Will definitely make again.
Thank you SO much for trying out this recipe! Loveee to hear that you enjoyed it! 🙂 xT
Delicious!! I made this sandwich for lunch today, and it was perfect for a cold afternoon! (I skipped the pepperoncini and sprouts because I don’t love them.) The family gobbled it up! Thanks for another winner!
Thank you SO much for trying out this recipe! Loveee to hear that you enjoyed it! 🙂 xT
Would this make decent leftovers? Or would it be soggy?
Hi Elena! I think this might get a bit soggy served leftover! xT
I love your stuff, and am a huge HBH fan. And I would like to note that @itsaflavorfullife made this sandwich back in December. I feel like she deserves to be credited as your inspo for this! Feels unfair for your large account to take credit for a recipe from a smaller account who is making wonderful content.
Wow, someone else made…a turkey sandwich? I know you freaks like to target T. every day for harassment, but this is just sad. You can’t think of anything better than this?
A turkey sandwich?!
Y’all are running low on content over there.
We did a roasted turkey tenderloin, subbed roasted red pepper for the tomato, and added bacon.
Out of this world.
Thank you so much Ashley! So glad you loved this sandwich! xT
What temperature for the oven?
Very nice recipe chef 👍👌👏. I just had it for lunch yummy 😋. Thank you for your effort 🌹🌞😎. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2024 TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY 🎆🎇🎁
Thank you so so much! xT
This was delicious. All your recipes, I love.So glad I am on this blog. Thank you. Yes.I have a couple of your cookbooks! And I love them.
Thanks so so much! Always love to hear when a recipe is enjoyed! Have a great weekend 🙂 xT
That sandwich is a REAL LOOKER! Cannot wait to make it!
Thank you so much Leah! Hope you love this recipe! xT
Thanks so much Leah! Hope you loved this recipe! xT
Do you used sun dried tomatoes that come in a jar packed in oil?
Or the packaged dried ones? TIA
Hey Janet! I usually use the jars of sundried tomatoes in oil! xT
What is a good temperature to set the oven at or do you just broil the cheese til melted.