Pancetta Sandwich with Pecorino Cream, Sundried Tomatoes and Arugula

Name: Pancetta Sandwich with Pecorino Cream, Sundried Tomatoes and Arugula
Prep time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 cup pecorino romano (grated); 1/4 cup room temperature water (see notes); 1 schiacciata recipe (optional - can use any bread); 100 grams pancetta - sliced; 6 sundried tomatoes (see notes); 2/3 cup arugula

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This pancetta sandwich is a flavor-filled classic Italian panino recipe that pairs pancetta with pecorino cream, sundried tomatoes, and arugula.

Similar to many other panini, this one was inspired by the famous sandwich shop, Al' Antico Vinaio, which is located in Florence. They have many panini (the Italian word for sandwich) on their menu that have paved the way for so many Italian classics! This one is inspired by their "Joe Bastianich" sandwich.

A pancetta sandwich is any sandwich or panino that features pancetta in some way. There are many different combinations of pancetta sandwiches that you can make. A rule of thumb in traditional pancetta sandwiches is the simpler, the better!

The idea behind using a short ingredient list in Italian panini is that ingredients are of high quality, so not many are needed to make the sandwich delicious.

In this recipe, the pancetta sandwich is made with schiacciata bread, which is similar to focaccia. If you’re looking for more sandwich recipes, be sure to try this mortadella sandwich or prosciutto sandwich recipe! You can use any type of bread that you prefer! I used fresh buffalo mozzarella, tomatoes, and fresh basil as fillings for the sandwich.

Pancetta sandwich with pecorino cream, sundried tomatoes and arugula on a plate

Here's why you should make this pancetta panino:

It's super simple: This recipe comes together with just 5 easy ingredients and doesn't require any cooking. Make a pancetta sandwich when you're in a time crunch or when you're just craving something easy.
The flavors are amazing. You can't go wrong with pancetta, especially when it's combined with delicious ingredients like pecorino cream, sundried tomatoes, and arugula.
You can get creative with the recipe: Panini are easy to adjust based on your preferences and what you have on hand. Experiment with different types of breads and fillings!

Ingredients

Pancetta: The primary ingredient! Pancetta is a type of salt-cured meat made from pork belly. It has a mild "bacon-like" flavor and tastes great on sandwiches.
Schiacciata bread: The type of bread that I used. Schiacciata is an Italian flatbread similar to focaccia. You can use any type of bread that you prefer to make a prosciutto sandwich.
Pecorino cream: This sandwich topping is made of aged pecorino cheese combined with water. It's soft and super easy to spread over schiacciata bread.
Sundried tomatoes: I love using these as a pancetta panino topping; their acidity complements the deep flavors of pancetta.
Arugula: The peppery flavor of arugula makes for the perfect pancetta sandwich topping.

Close up photo of a pancetta sandwich on a plate

Filling options for a pancetta sandwich:

Simplicity is key for Italian panini, including this pancetta sandwich. It is very common for Italians to eat pancetta alone on sandwiches so they can truly savor its flavor.

Sometimes, toppings like cheese are added to pancetta sandwiches. Pecorino cream, sundried tomatoes, and arugula are the only fillings that I used in this recipe. Here are a few other filling options that you can try:

Burrata and tomato slices
Mozzarella and basil

How to make it - step by step

Make the pecorino cream

Place the grated pecorino in a blender. Add the ¼ cup water and blend until a creamy consistency form (photo 1)

Make the panino

Start by cutting the schiacciata bread in half.

Spread the pecorino cream over the bread slices. Then, place the pancetta on the base of the sandwich.

Step by step photos on how to make a pancetta panino - #1-3

Top the pancetta with sundried tomatoes and arugula (photo 4)

Place the other piece of bread on top to form a sandwich (photo 5) Serve and enjoy!

Step by step photos on how to make a pancetta panino - #4-5

FAQ

What cut of meat is pancetta?

Pancetta is a cut of meat that comes from pork belly. It is seasoned and salt-cured which is where it gets its depth of flavors, and can be eaten cooked or uncooked. Pancetta differs from prosciutto in that proscuitto is made from the back leg of a pig. It takes about 3 weeks to cure pancetta.

What goes well with pancetta?

There are many different ways that you can enjoy pancetta. One of the most popular ways is to eat it on a simple sandwich, or to pair it with cheese and crackers, or pasta. Pancetta also tastes great on toast or when combined with roasted vegetables.

What does pancetta taste like?

The flavor of pancetta is often described as "distinctly porky". It is sometimes compared to bacon, although it is not smoked so lacks the smokey flavor.

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4.67 from 3 votes