Stuffed Focaccia Recipe: Easy Caprese Italian Sandwich 2026

Stuffed focaccia is the perfect answer when you want a sandwich that is a little different and seriously tasty, without any fuss. You can start from a focaccia you already have on hand, or make one from scratch and fill it exactly as we do here.

For the quickest version, simply split a ready-made focaccia and fill it. If you want to make it yourself, this dough is very easy and needs only a short rise, so it fits comfortably into a busy day.

We use everyday wheat flour that you can find in any supermarket, and the filling is the classic caprese trio: basil pesto, ripe red tomatoes and mozzarella. It is a combination everyone at the table tends to love.

Ingredients for Stuffed Focaccia

These amounts make 4 servings.

• 190 g wheat flour
• 4 g instant dry baker's yeast
• 3 g salt
• 2 g sugar
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (1 for the dough and 1 for the finish)
• 120 ml warm water
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 40 g basil pesto
• 2 red tomatoes
• 250 g mozzarella cheese
• A few basil leaves

How to Make Stuffed Focaccia Step by Step

1. Mix the dry ingredients

In a bowl, mix 190 g wheat flour, 4 g instant dry baker's yeast, 3 g salt and 2 g sugar until everything is evenly combined.

2. Add the oil and water

Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and 120 ml warm water to the dry mixture. If you prefer fresh yeast instead of dry, use about 20 g and dissolve it first in a little warm water before starting.

3. Knead the dough

Knead by hand or with a mixer on medium speed for 8 minutes. If you knead by hand, work the dough for about 10 to 12 minutes, until it is smooth and elastic. Shape it into a ball, cover with a cotton cloth and let it rise for 1 hour.

4. Let the dough double in size

The secret of a good focaccia is not kneading it again once it has risen the first time, which keeps the crumb airy and very tender. Leave it covered until it has doubled in volume.

5. Place the dough on a greased tray

Turn the risen dough out onto a tray about 20 x 25 cm greased with olive oil. Spread it over the base, stretching gently so you do not knock out the air, and let it rest for 15 minutes. Preheat the oven to 200 °C.

6. Drizzle with oil and dimple the surface

Drizzle the surface with 1 tablespoon olive oil. With oiled fingers, press into the dough to make the typical dimples of a focaccia.

7. Season and let it rise again

Season with 1 tablespoon dried oregano and let the dough rise for another 30 minutes before baking.

8. Bake the focaccia and let it cool

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes at 200 °C, until the focaccia is lightly golden. Let it cool on a wire rack before filling it.

9. Fill the focaccia

Once cold, cut it in half horizontally and fill it with 40 g basil pesto, 2 red tomatoes cut into slices, 250 g mozzarella cheese well drained and sliced, and a few basil leaves.

10. Serve

Put the top back on and serve your delicious stuffed focaccia right away. If you are taking it with you, cut it into portions and wrap them in parchment paper so they are ready to eat.

Tips for the Best Stuffed Focaccia

Choose your shortcut

If you are short on time, start from a focaccia you already have and go straight to the filling. Making the dough yourself takes a little longer, but it is simple and the short rise keeps it manageable.

Keep the crumb airy

Do not knead the dough again after the first rise, and stretch it gently on the tray so you keep as much air as possible. That is what gives you a soft, open crumb instead of a dense one.

Drain the mozzarella well

Use mozzarella that has been thoroughly drained and sliced, so the bread does not turn soggy. Assemble the sandwich just before serving for the best texture.

30 Favorite Recipes I Keep Coming Back To at Home

Maybe you're wired the same way I am: your kitchen rotation is a blend of cozy standbys, well-loved dishes from around the globe, and sweets that make a crowd happy.

Some nights I want something luxurious, and that's when I reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a deeply rich Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And on days when only fruit-forward comfort will do, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my reliable pick.

For quick morning meals and lighter plates, I regularly whip up these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And whenever my pantry needs a gluten-free basic, this no-fuss Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe does the trick.

On evenings built around tapas and Mediterranean tastes, I cycle through this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, golden Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, silky Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This elegant Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe also comes out whenever the occasion calls for a little extra polish.

For stick-to-your-ribs midday meals and comforting suppers, my go-tos are this warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, deeply savory Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and velvety Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. When I'm after something even more substantial, I turn to this oven-baked Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the supremely cozy French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Anytime street food or party fare is on my mind, I'll throw together this succulent Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crunchy Salchipapas recipe, punchy Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crisp Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These effortless Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe are another favorite of mine for a light starter or snack.

And when I'm hosting and mixing drinks to go with a full spread, dinner often gets paired with this cool Original Cuban Mojito recipe, a strong Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this sweet Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To bring it all together, I like setting out this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe alongside, or capping the meal with this dramatic Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After countless rounds of testing and tweaking in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the finest dishes are built on straightforward steps, dependable methods, and serious flavor.

The recipes gathered here are the ones I genuinely cook on repeat—whether it's a fast solo meal or something festive for the people I love.

On the sweet side, the lush, velvety Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is my pick when I want a dessert that feels fancy yet comes together without fuss. Another treat I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled on the celebrated Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better dessert texture helps a lot, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

When light and easy is what I'm after, I lean on the timeless Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly done Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For more filling comfort fare, I frequently suggest the crowd-pleasing Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the luscious Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the speedy weeknight go-to One Pot Pasta Recipe.

Sharing dishes from across the globe is another joy of mine, among them the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the traditional Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is yet another category I turn to often, since it delivers speed without sacrificing texture. The ones I make most include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be indulgent, cheesy, and deeply comforting without any gluten.

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