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    Home » Recipes » Gluten-Free Lunch Ideas

    Published: Dec 23, 2019 · Modified: Aug 22, 2022 by Jen Wooster

    Roasted Veggie Sandwich with Basil Pesto

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    vegan veggie sandwich

    Our perfect roasted veggie sandwich recipe features all the end of season vegetables roasted to perfection along with fresh basil pesto and garlicky vegan cream cheese.  This sandwich will please vegans and meat-eaters alike. 

    Roasted vegetable sandwich with tomato soup

    Please read the entire post for tips and tricks to ensure a perfect recipe every time. And don't forget to tag @peelwithzeal on Instagram so we can admire your creation!

    Now we all love a fresh veggie wrap with crunchy summer vegetables and lots of greens. However, nothing beats the intense flavor you get with roasting your veggies. Plus, it is a great way to use up vegetables that may be getting close to their end of shelf life or ones that may have been picked before they hit peak ripeness.

    Roasting vegetables that are off season is a great way to concentrate their flavor and make up for what they lack in ripeness.

    Woohoo for using up old produce and turning leftovers into lunch!

    What Vegetables are Best for a Roasted Veggie Sandwich?

    You can use any hearty vegetable that can stand up to grilling or roasting.  But here are our favorites:

    • Tomatoes- Slow roasting requires very little effort but lots of patience while the moisture evaporates to leave behind the most intensely sweet flavor. This is an excellent way to use up a bad batch of mealy tomatoes.
    • Zucchini- The vegetable we never know what to do with is a mainstay in all my veggie sandwiches. The mild flavor pairs well with just about any sauce or seasoning.
    • Yellow Summer Squash- The vegetable I never know what to do with but we always end up growing in our garden!
    • Sweet Bell Peppers- easy to do in the oven, on the grill or on your gas stove. Roasted peppers are one of the easiest veggies to make at home. Getting them charred black and smoky just adds to the flavor of this sandwich.
    • Red Onions- Roasting these babies is the perfect way to rid them of the oniony bitterness. While you can use white or yellow onions, but we find them too sweet.
    • Eggplant- High in antioxidants but low on my list of favorite stand-alone vegetables. Always a supporting character, we prefer adding roasted eggplant to dished where they get to play with bolder flavors. 
    • Portabella Mushrooms- More than a meat substitute, mushrooms add a deep earthy flavor that balances out the sweetness of the tomatoes and red onion.

    You can all try roasting spicier peppers like poblanos or jalapenos, cauliflower florets or steaks or even thinly sliced carrots.

    Easy roasted vegetables with pesto

    What Bread Should I Use for A Roasted Veggie Sandwich?

    Roasting vegetables causes them to give off water.  The vegetables will continue to give off water while they are cooling. Pick hearty bread like a baguette or a ciabatta that can stand up to a little moisture.

    We chose Schar Gluten Free Ciabatta Rolls for our sandwiches. Not only are they are delightful in flavor, but they are also a perfect size and easy to hold without all the veggies sliding out.

    What Sauces, Toppings and Condiments Are on A Veggie Sandwich?

    We like sauces that highlight the roasted vegetables not overpowers them like pestos, tapenades, fresh marinara, mustards or aioli are all great options. In the springtime, we take advantage of the short season but extra garlicky ramps and use our ramp pesto. But our overall year round preference is our Easy Vegan Basil Pesto.

    If you eat dairy, you can add cheeses that are soft in texture or easily melt like mozzarella, goat cheese or a herby cheese spread. But again we chose to keep it dairy-free with our Roasted Garlic Cashew Cream Cheese.

    For roasted veggie sandwiches avoid adding anything with high water content, like salsas and relishes or adding any fresh veggies or greens.

    What to Serve with Roasted Veggie Sandwiches?

    Every great sandwich needs a great side dish. Here are a few side dish ideas to inspire your culinary adventure:

    • Tomato soup topped with leftover Vegan Basil Pesto
    • Homemade chips, we like these from Epicurious
    • Mixed green salad with a Cilantro & Olive Vinaigrette
    • Carrot sticks with leftover Roasted Garlic Cream Cheese
    • Dairy-free strawberry milkshakes

    If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave us a rating or a comment. It helps other wonderful people connect with our food.

    Roasted Veggie Sandwich with Basil Pesto

    Recipe Created By: Jen Wooster
    The ultimate roasted vegetable sandwich with vegan basil pesto and roasted garlic cream cheese.
    5 from 13 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 0 mins
    Total Time 15 mins
    Course Lunch, Main Course
    Cuisine American, Vegan
    Servings 4 sandwiches
    Calories 469 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 Ciabatta rolls
    • 1 tablespoon Olive oil
    • ¾ cup Vegan Garlic Cream Cheese or soft cheese of your choice
    • ½ cup Basil Pesto
    • 1 small Eggplant sliced & roasted
    • 1 small Zucchini sliced & roasted
    • 1 small red onion sliced & roasted
    • 1 Bell Pepper, red or orange sliced & roasted
    • 2 Portabello Mushroom Caps sliced & roasted
    • 4 Roma tomatoes halved & slow roasted

    Instructions
     

    • Cut the rolls in half and brush with olive oil. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Place rolls cut down and toast for 3-4 minutes until slightly toasted and golden brown.
    • Spread the cream cheese evenly on the top and botton of each roll.
    • Add a round of eggplant on the bottom of each roll. Top with pesto. Repeat with each vegetable layering on the pesto then top with bun. A long toothpick can be helpful for keeping the sandwiches together.

    Video

    Notes

    Directions for each ingredient can be found using the following links:
    • Roasted Tomatoes
    • Roasted Zucchini
    • Roasted Sweet Bell Peppers
    • Roasted Red Onions
    • Roasted Eggplant Slices. 
    • Roasted Portabella Mushrooms
    • Easy Vegan Basil Pesto
    • Roasted Garlic Cashew Cream Cheese

    Nutrition

    Calories: 469kcal | Carbs: 47g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 28g | Fiber: 9g
    Keyword baked tomatoes, baked zucchini, cashew cream cheese, Pesto, roasted portabello, Sandwiches
    Tried this recipe?Tag us @peelwithzeal so we can see your creation!

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Erica says

      September 02, 2021 at 4:50 pm

      So I have to click on a link for EVERY vegetable??? You posted a recipe for a roasted vegetable sandwich, but no instructions for roasting the vegetables.........

      Reply
      • Sharon Morgan says

        December 16, 2022 at 4:14 am

        I appreciate the individual roasting instructions. Thanks

        Reply
    2. Whitney says

      February 15, 2020 at 7:07 pm

      5 stars
      Love this idea instead of using meat! I am not big on sandwiches in general so looking forward to trying it.

      Reply
    3. Chris Collins says

      February 15, 2020 at 6:11 pm

      5 stars
      Now THIS is a sandwich!! Can't wait to try out the recipe, looks delish!!

      Reply
    4. Elaine says

      February 15, 2020 at 4:49 pm

      5 stars
      This is not your typical boring sandwich! SO much flavour packed in one bun! Thanks

      Reply
      • Cheryl says

        September 14, 2021 at 8:53 pm

        Would this work at room temperature, with the veggies grilled two days before serving? I am looking fir a yummy sandwich to make on a camping trip with no refrigerator.

        Reply
        • Jen says

          September 15, 2021 at 8:44 am

          5 stars
          I think it would be fine. I take it on picnics but I haven't tried extended periods of time. I would pack the veggies and bread in separate baggies to prevent the bread from getting soggy. Let me know how it turns out.

          Reply
    5. Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness says

      February 15, 2020 at 4:39 pm

      5 stars
      I always think that veggie sandwiches are so boring. Not anymore!! This is the best one I have come across!!

      Reply
    6. Erica Schwarz says

      February 15, 2020 at 3:22 pm

      5 stars
      I live for recipes like this. Whenever I eat a nice roasted veggie sandwich, I find it so satisfying! This one is amazing with the garlic cream cheese combined with the pesto - great recipe!

      Reply
    7. David says

      December 29, 2019 at 11:04 am

      5 stars
      I love this sandwich! I am a big fan of the flavors of roasted veggies, for the reasons you describe, but hadn't thought to use it for a sandwich until seeing this post. Yum! Sharing...

      Reply
    8. Tami Price says

      December 27, 2019 at 10:22 pm

      5 stars
      My husband and I made this for dinner the other night! I was blow away on how much flavor this recipe had! Will be making again! Thanks so much for sharing!

      Reply

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    Welcome Friends!

    picture of Jen

    My name is Jen and I am the recipe developer, writer, and photographer around here. Since being diagnosed with celiac disease over 10 years ago I have been slowly curating a recipe box full of gluten-free goodness. I adore vegetables, crave chocolate, and I am always up for an adventure.

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