Craving that perfect Starbucks sandwich but don’t want to pay coffeehouse prices? You’re in luck. This Tomato & Mozzarella on Focaccia is surprisingly simple to recreate at home, and you might even prefer your homemade version. Sweet roasted tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant pesto come together on herb-studded focaccia to prove that impressive meals don’t require complicated recipes. Whether you need a quick lunch or want something light yet satisfying, this sandwich delivers without the premium price tag.
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What makes the Starbucks Tomato & Mozzarella on Focaccia the perfect snack or light lunch?
Starbucks’ Tomato and Mozzarella on Focaccia is the kind of sandwich that proves simple ingredients can make one heck of a delicious meal. With its creamy mozzarella, sweet and tangy oven-roasted tomatoes, and slightly bitter baby spinach on a crunchy focaccia smeared with fragrant basil pesto, it’s both satisfying and refreshingly light.
This easy-to-make copycat recipe is vegetarian-friendly, but tasty enough that everyone will want one. Skip the high prices of a Starbucks takeout, and make it yourself.
Ingredients and their roles
For this Starbucks Tomato Mozzarella panini, you’ll need:
- Olive oil – lends a floral flavor and helps the tomatoes roast evenly.
- Roma tomatoes – add natural sweetness and acidity for balance.
- Salt – draws out the moisture of the tomatoes and enhances their flavor.
- Black pepper – provides a subtle warmth and a tiny bite that contrasts nicely with the mozzarella.
- Fresh mozzarella – provides a mild creaminess and great meltability.
- Baby spinach – adds an earthy freshness to the sandwich, complementing the green, red, and white of the Italian flag for a pleasing appearance.
- Basil pesto – infuses a herbaceous flavor with a hint of garlic and nuts.
- Focaccia bread – holds the sandwich ingredients together. The herb-encrusted focaccia pumps up the flavor and has a moderate chew.
How to make a Tomato & Mozzarella on Focaccia
To prep the tomatoes:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Brush a rimmed baking tray with olive oil.
- Rinse and dry the tomatoes. Slice them into quarter-inch rounds and lay them out on the prepared baking tray.
- Drizzle more olive oil over the sliced tomatoes and season with salt and black pepper.
- Roast the tomatoes in the oven until they appear slightly wrinkled, about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Remove the baking tray from the oven, but leave the oven on because you will need it later.
To assemble the Starbucks Tomato and Mozzarella on Focaccia :
- Slice the bread horizontally and divide the loaf vertically into two, giving you a top and a bottom for two sandwiches.
- Spread the basil pesto on the cut side of the bottom portions.
- Add a single layer of baby spinach over the pesto.
- Slightly overlap four to five slices of roasted tomatoes on the baby spinach.
- Add three slices of fresh mozzarella.
- Cover the sandwiches with the top pieces of bread.
To finish the Starbucks sandwiches:
- Place the assembled sandwiches on a clean baking tray.
- Heat until the cheese melts, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Slice the sandwich in half and serve it hot.
What to serve with Starbucks sandwiches
Easy Starbucks Dragon Drink – Cool things down with this captivating pink and tasty drink. Starbucks’ Dragon Drink is delightfully refreshing, made with mango juice, white grape juice, coconut milk, and dragon fruit. The ingredients combine into one creamy, sweet, and slightly tart sip.
Starbucks Very Berry Hibiscus Refresher – Keep it light and fruity with a Very Berry Hibiscus Refresher. A customer favorite, the chilled green tea, hibiscus tea, white grape juice, and fresh berries come together for a tart and sweet taste, making it the perfect pick-me-up any time of day.
Crumbl Cookies – Add some sweetness to your life with a Crumbl Cookie. Whether you prefer a classic Chocolate Chip Cookie, the Ultimate Peanut Butter Cookie, or a festive Birthday Cake Cookie, these cookies are so rich and buttery, you’re sure to find a new favorite.
How to make these Starbucks sandwiches ahead
You can save a lot of time by roasting the tomatoes ahead of time and keeping them in an airtight container in the fridge. They should be good for at least three days.
If you are feeding a crowd, you can roast the tomatoes and assemble the sandwiches a few hours in advance. Place the assembled sandwiches on the prepared baking tray and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Keep in the fridge and follow the instructions above as directed.
Storage and reheating instructions
- Fresh consumption: While it is best to eat a Starbucks Tomato and Mozzarella on Focaccia as soon as possible, you can save leftovers in the fridge
- Proper storage: Make sure the sandwich is room temperature, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap for up to 1 day, though it can get soggy
- Reheating method: Wrap the sandwich in aluminum foil and warm in a 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes until the cheese melts
More copycat recipes for Starbucks food
- Bacon and Gouda Breakfast Sandwich
- Banana Bread
- Blueberry Muffin
- Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Potato Cheddar and Chive Bake
- Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
- Spinach Feta Breakfast Wrap
Check out more of my easy sandwich recipes and the best Starbucks copycat recipes on CopyKat!
Starbucks Tomato and Mozzarella on Focaccia
Ingredients
- 2 Roma tomatoes cut into 1/4-inch slices
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 loaf focaccia or ciabatta bread (16 ounces)
- 2 tablespoons prepared basil pesto
- 1 ounce fresh baby spinach
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella sliced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Place the tomato slices on a rimmed baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 15 to 20 minutes.
- If you are using a single loaf of bread, slice it in half vertically to create 2 sandwich buns about 6 to 8 inches long. Then slice each bun in half horizontally.
- Spread pesto on the bottom bun of each sandwich. Add enough baby spinach leaves to cover the bread in a single layer. Arrange 4 or 5 tomato slices over the spinach, followed by 3 slices of fresh mozzarella. Cover the sandwiches with the top buns.
- Place the sandwiches in the oven until heated through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Make sure the sandwiches aren’t too close to the heating element, and watch closely to make sure the bread does not burn.
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