Mortadella Sandwich Recipe with Pistachio Pesto and Burrata- with each bite, you’ll experience a delightful contrast of textures, from the rich slices of mortadella and smooth creaminess of the burrata cheese and pistachio pesto to the crunchy freshness of the chopped pistachios. Wow! It’s a next-level sandwich you’ll crave!

Enjoy with a simple Italian fruit salad.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You’ll find variations of this Italian mortadella sandwich all over Italy- the flavor combination is phenomenal! If you can’t travel to Italy- let this salty sandwich take you there!

This specific Mortadella Sandwich is a nostalgic recreation of one of All’antico Vinaio’s most popular sandwiches, La Paradiso. It’s incredible! It uses high-quality ingredients like Mortadella, pistachio pesto, and fresh burrata cheese to bring the flavors of Italy right to your plate.

You’ll also love tomato mozzarella bruschetta and Panzanella salad.

Simple Ingredients

The best part about this simple, 5-ingredient sandwich is that it comes together so quickly but tastes like something you’d get in an upscale deli.

• Mortadella (Italian bologna) is a type of Italian cured meat similar to bologna but typically flavored with spices such as pepper and pistachios. Look for thinly sliced Mortadella from your local deli, Italian market, specialty shop, or grocery store. Mortadella is one of my favorite Italian cold cuts! I always get more than I need for a slice of mortadella as a snack :).
• Pistachio Pesto: This is a variation of traditional pesto sauce, made with fresh basil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, and of course, pistachios. You can find numerous recipes online for making pistachio pesto, or you can purchase it pre-made from specialty stores.
• Focaccia or Ciabatta Bread: Choose your favorite type of bread for the sandwich base. Focaccia offers a soft texture with a slightly crispy crust and is often flavored with olive oil and herbs. Ciabatta is a rustic Italian bread with a chewy texture and large, airy holes inside.
• Burrata Cheese: This is a soft Italian cheese made from mozzarella and cream. It has a creamy interior texture that spills out when cut, making it perfect for spreading on sandwiches. Look for fresh burrata cheese in your grocery store’s dairy or specialty cheese section.
• Fresh Pistachios: These are shelled pistachio nuts that have been chopped or roughly crushed. They add a crunchy texture and nutty flavor to the sandwich. You can usually find shelled pistachios in the baking or snack aisle of the grocery store.

See the recipe card for quantities.

How To Make A Mortadella Sandwich

While it boasts gourmet flavors, this sandwich is simple to assemble, making it perfect for a quick lunch or a satisfying snack. See how

Serve the sandwiches whole or sliced in half, and enjoy your delicious Italian Mortadella sandwiches with pistachio pesto!

This is an excellent handheld snack to pack for the beach or your next summer picnic. This sandwich (panino) is one of my guilty pleasures on a sweltering day at our beach home in Sargedna, Italy. I know it will be a big hit whenever you make it.

Substitutions

• Mortadella Substitutions: For a different flavor profile, substitute with other cured meats such as prosciutto, capicola, or salami.
• Pistachio Pesto Substitutions: If pistachios are unavailable or you have allergies, you can make pesto with other nuts, such as almonds, walnuts, or pine nuts.
• Bread Substitutions: Instead of focaccia or ciabatta bread, you can use other bread varieties, such as sourdough, kaiser roll, whole wheat, or multigrain.
• Burrata Cheese Substitutions: You can substitute fresh mozzarella, a slice or two of provolone cheese, or creamy goat cheese. Ricotta or mascarpone cheese can also be used as alternatives, although they have slightly different textures and flavors.

Variations

The next time you make this best mortadella sandwich, try these varieties:

• Add Some Crunch: Enhance the texture of your sandwich by adding crispy elements such as sliced cucumbers, thinly sliced fennel, or even pickled onions. These crunchy additions will provide a satisfying contrast to the creamy burrata cheese and soft bread.
• Spicy Kick: Add a few slices of spicy salami or pepperoni to the sandwich if you like a bit of heat. Mix some crushed red pepper flakes into the pistachio pesto for an extra kick.
• Sweet and Savory: For a sweet and savory twist, spread a thin layer of fig jam or honey on one side of the bread before assembling the sandwich. The sweetness will beautifully complement the salty flavors of Mortadella and pistachio pesto.
• Grilled Option: Take your sandwich to the next level by grilling it panini-style. Brush the outside of the bread with olive oil and grill the sandwich in a panini press or on a grill pan until golden brown and crispy. This will add a delicious crunch to every bite and give you a little melty cheese.
• Anthony Bourdain’s Mortadella Sandwich: A simple but delicious take on a mortadella sandwich by Anthony Bourdain. For this version you fry little piles of mortadella in a pan until they have crisp edges, top with provolone cheese (while in the pan) until they melt. Stack up the slices and melty cheese on a roll – Bourdain suggests a toasted Kaiser roll or sourdough – then slather with mayonnaise and dijon mustard.

FAQs

Top tips

• Choose Quality Ingredients: For the best-tasting sandwich, select high-quality Mozzarella, fresh burrata cheese, and flavorful pistachio pesto. Fresh, locally sourced ingredients can significantly impact flavor.
• Slice Ingredients Thinly: Whether it’s the Mortadella, cheese, or bread, aim to slice your ingredients thinly and evenly. Thin slices ensure that each component is well-distributed throughout the sandwich, creating a balanced flavor profile in every bite.

Storage

• Wrap Tightly: Once assembled, wrap the sandwich tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent air exposure and keep it intact.
• Refrigerate: If you’re not planning to consume the wrapped sandwich immediately, place it in the refrigerator. Refrigeration helps preserve the freshness of the ingredients and prevents bacterial growth.
• Consume Promptly: For the best taste and texture, try to consume the sandwich within 1-2 days. The longer it sits, the more the bread may become soggy, and the ingredients may lose their freshness.

More Italian Recipes

Looking for other recipes? Try these:

Authentic Spinach Lasagna with Ricotta

Best Arrabbiata Sauce Recipe (Spicy Spaghetti Sauce)

Italian Lasagna Bolognese with Bechamel Sauce

Braciole (Italian Stuffed Beef Recipe)

What To Serve With This Recipe

Serve this sandwich with my crispy oven roasted potatoes or my creamy potato salad. You could also go with a cold, refreshing salad like by berry goat cheese salad.

💙 MADE THIS RECIPE AND LOVED IT? 💙 Please leave a ⭐️STAR rating and COMMENT below- I love connecting with you! Tag me with your creations on Instagram and find me on Pinterest.

Print