This toasted ham and cheese panini is the ultimate comfort food. A layer of pepper jelly adds extra flavor to this easy lunch or dinner recipe.
For many families, Sunday nights are traditionally the time for a big meal. Whenever my parents and I went to my grandparents' home for dinner, the table was laid with roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, potatoes, and vegetables. As much as we looked forward to those meals, we were just as happy with the Sunday dinners we ate when it was just the three of us at home. It was always simple, light and easy - a bowl of soup, a fresh salad, or a toasted sandwich.
As an adult with my own family, I appreciate why my mum took the "light and tasty" route. After a weekend of soccer games, play dates and baking, pulling out the roasting pan is akin to dusting the blinds. For the record, dusting blinds is my least favorite household chore. My kids think mummy's gone cuckoo when I tell them I would rather clean toilets than dust blinds. That would explain why our once-white blinds are now distinctly a few shades darker than white, while our toilets are...well...cleaner than that.
My point is that I like to keep it simple on Sundays. Whether it's a brothy soup, such as Mediterranean Chicken, Bean & Pasta Soup or a protein-packed salad, such as a Mushroom, Caramelized Onion & Bean Spinach Salad, the goal is to keep prep work and clean-up to a minimum.
This panini fits the bill. It follows the same formula as my favorite Turkey, Brie and Pear Panini - a healthy dose of meat, a sweet sauce with a kick, and plenty of oozing, melted cheese. It requires nothing more than a panini press or a hot frying pan. Now that's my kind of Sunday night dinner.
How to Make Ham and Cheese Panini
Preheat panini press or large grill pan or skillet.
Cut ciabatta rolls in half crosswise.
Divide the pepper jelly evenly between the four rolls, spreading on top and bottom halves. Top the bottom of each roll with slices of ham, cheddar cheese and arugula. Lay the top of each roll over the fillings.
Place the sandwiches on the panini maker or pan, working in batches if necessary. Close the panini press. If using a grill pan or skillet, place a brick, washed and wrapped in foil, on top of the sandwiches to emulate a panini press. When the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted, remove the sandwiches from the press, cut in half, and serve immediately.
Printable Recipe
Toasted Ham and Cheese Panini
Ingredients
- 4 ciabatta rolls preferably whole wheat
- ½ cup pepper jelly
- 6 ounces ham cut into ¼-inch thick slices
- 4 ounces sharp Cheddar cheese sliced
- ¾ cup (packed) arugula leaves or spinach
Instructions
- Preheat panini press or large grill pan or skillet.
- Cut ciabatta rolls in half crosswise. Divide the pepper jelly evenly between the four rolls, spreading on top and bottom halves. Top the bottom of each roll with slices of ham, cheddar cheese and arugula. Lay the top of each roll over the fillings.
- Place the sandwiches on the panini maker or pan, working in batches if necessary. Close the panini press. If using a grill pan or skillet, place a brick, washed and wrapped in foil, on top of the sandwiches to emulate a panini press.
- When the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted, remove the sandwiches from the press, cut in half, and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
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Emily Malloy
Holy Moses. That there is perfection!
Kim @ Feed Me, Seymour
This looks really yummy! I think I might try mine with a little red onion jam.
Vivienne
the colours are beautiful and so vibrant. i just know id love to take a bite at it right now!
love a simple sunday meal!
Rose&Thorn
My motto in life is "Love to Cook - Hate to Clean". I certainly will not lie on my death bed worrying about the blinds that should have been dusted more often - I'll rather lament over that meal I wanted to try make and never took the time to.
Saturday and Sunday are both simple meals in our home - sometimes even "If you want it : make it yourself"! Love this easy recipe.
Kim
Soup, salad and a sandwich - yum. Especially THIS sandwich!
Mary
Oh, this panini sounds (and looks!) perfect! Droooooling...
Mary xo
Delightful Bitefuls
Lynn @ I'll Have What She's Having
This panini sounds wonderful. I think I'll try making my own pepper jelly this summer, can't wait to try it in a sandwich like this!
penny aka jeroxie
love the look and ingredients in this panini.
Tracy
The panini sounds wonderful but I am especially drooling over your addition of hot pepper jelly! Yum!!
Kankana
this is making me super hungry now! I have to make those someday .. but i don't have a Panini maker .. so i just put them on pan 🙂