Paninis, melts and hot sandwiches are the perfect lunch or dinner to make when you need a little warming up. With cozy and comforting flavors like creamy mozzarella and rich mushrooms and healthy proteins like chicken and tuna, these sandwich recipes are all rated 4- and 5-stars. From our Cheesy Spinach & Chicken alla Vodka Sandwich to our High-Protein Tuna & White Bean Melt, these hot sandwiches are the perfect solution to colder days.
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Grilled Cheese with Spinach & Tomato
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen.
This grilled cheese with spinach and tomato is a flavorful twist on the classic sandwich, cooked to golden perfection on the stovetop. Wilted spinach is infused with plenty of garlic. Juicy tomato slices add color and a fresh bite to the melty mozzarella filling. This sandwich makes for an easy lunch or dinner and pairs well with tomato soup or a simple green salad.
High-Protein Tuna & White Bean Melt
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
This ultra-quick tuna melt with white beans is a protein-packed sandwich that’s perfect for a fast and satisfying lunch or dinner. The beans add creaminess and fiber, while the tuna provides lean protein and omega-3s, making this dish as nutritious as it is flavorful. Plus, it comes together in minutes—ideal for days when time is in short supply.
Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
Raymond Hom; Styling: Pamela Duncan Silver
Dinner guests are guaranteed to be impressed with this deceptively easy Pulled Chicken Sandwich recipe, which includes a seven-ingredient rub and a simple 15-minute sauce that comes together while the chicken grills. Serve on buns, over fresh greens, or on top of a baked potato for a filling dinner.
Cheesy Spinach & Chicken alla Vodka Sandwich
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser
This cheesy spinach-and-chicken alla vodka sandwich is full of textures and flavors. Crispy chicken cutlets are smothered in creamy tomato sauce, wilted spinach and gooey mozzarella cheese. As an alternative to frying, you can coat both sides of the chicken cutlets with cooking spray and cook them in a preheated air fryer at 375°F for about 5 minutes on each side until they’re cooked through.
Turkey & Cheese Panini
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall.
This turkey panini is one of the best panini recipes we have ever tried. Basil pesto and sourdough bread are key to this sandwich’s unique flavor.
Beef & Bean Sloppy Joes
This healthy copycat recipe of the comfort food classic trades beans for some of the meat to bump up fiber by 7 grams. We also cut back on the sugar and ketchup in this Sloppy Joe recipe makeover to save you 12 grams of added sugar.
Chicken Caprese Sandwich
Photographer / Jennifer Causey, Food Stylist / Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist / Christine Keely
This chicken caprese sandwich has all the classic flavors of a caprese salad with an added boost of protein from grilled chicken. Using store-bought grilled chicken makes assembly quick and easy. This sandwich for one is made in a skillet, but would work equally well in a panini press if you have one on hand.
Tuna Melt
Robby Lozano
In this updated tuna melt recipe, we go light on the mayo and top it with fresh tomato slices and shredded sharp Cheddar. This allows us to use considerably less cheese while ensuring that there’s great cheese flavor in each gooey bite of this healthy tuna melt recipe.
Air-Fryer Katsu Sandwiches
Photographer: Kelsey Hansen, Food Stylist: Kelsey Moylan
Katsu is a Japanese dish featuring a fried breadcrumb-coated piece of meat, often sliced and served with a dipping sauce on the side. Here, we take the crispy chicken cutlet and use it as a base for a sandwich. A tonkatsu-inspired tangy sauce pairs well with the chicken, while a napa cabbage and radish slaw provides freshness and crunch.
Vegetarian Reubens with Russian Dressing
Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Annie Probst
The spinach, mushroom and onion filling is so satisfying, you won’t even miss the corned beef in this vegetarian take on a Reuben sandwich. This exceptional sandwich was inspired by a dish at the now-closed Penny Cluse Cafe in Burlington, Vermont.
Hot Turkey Pesto Sandwich
Victor Protasio
This turkey pesto sandwich features fresh mozzarella cheese, which melts beautifully, creating a gooey, cheesy bite. Serve for lunch or dinner alongside a bowl of soup for a filling meal.
Collards & Portobello Grilled Cheese
Meaty portobello mushrooms and sautéed collards turn this easy grilled cheese recipe into a healthy meal. If you don’t have Dijonnaise on hand, make your own by stirring 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard into 3 tablespoons mayonnaise.
Chicken Pesto Panini
In this chicken pesto panini recipe, the extra-thin bread gets nice and crispy, the mozzarella melts beautifully and the arugula adds a fresh and peppery note to complement the pesto. It’s a delicious and easy panini to throw together!
