Ready & Packaged Foods
All →Vegetables & Legumes
All →Desserts & Confectionery
All →Meat & Protein
All →Grains & Bakery
All →Beverages
All →Milk & Dairy
All →
Sandwich with basil pesto, often with mozzarella or tomato.
In season: Spring · Summer · Autumn
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
1 piece (medium) of Pesto sandwich (160 g) has 432 calories. That works out to 270 calories per 100 g. It contains 51.2 g of carbs, 12.8 g of protein, 19.2 g of fat and 4 g of fiber. Its 28.8 µg of Vitamin K covers 24% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 55 (medium), so it raises blood sugar at a moderate pace.
Selected: 1 piece (medium) · 160 g
432
KCAL / 160G
Carbs
51.2g
· 19% DV
Protein
12.8g
· 26% DV
Fat
19.2g
· 25% DV
Fiber
4g
· 14% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 48% · Protein 12% · Fat 40%
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 432 kcal | |
| Total fat | 19.2 g | 25% |
| Saturated fat | 5.12 g | 26% |
| Trans fat | 0.05 g | |
| Sodium | 768 mg | 33% |
| Total carbohydrate | 51.2 g | 19% |
| Fiber | 4 g | 14% |
| Protein | 12.8 g | 26% |
Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.
Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.
Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.
Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.
Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.
Log this food in EatBetter
100,000+ people use it
📸 Scan the code to get the app free.

| Serving | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 piece (medium) | 160 g | 432 kcal |
| 1 slice (thin) | 80 g | 216 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 270 kcal |
| 1 piece (small) | 120 g | 324 kcal |
| 1 slice (thick) | 120 g | 324 kcal |
| 1 serving (medium) | 160 g | 432 kcal |
| 1 piece (large) | 220 g | 594 kcal |
| 1 piece (jumbo) | 320 g | 864 kcal |
| 2 piece (double) | 320 g | 864 kcal |
Calculated from 270 calories per 100 g.
A pesto sandwich is usually made with bread spread with basil pesto and filled with mozzarella and tomato. Some versions add chicken, roasted vegetables, or another cheese, and it can be served cold or toasted.
Spread basil pesto on the inside of two slices of bread, add mozzarella and tomato, then close the sandwich. Toast it in a pan or sandwich press if you want crisp bread and warm, softened cheese.
Ciabatta and sourdough are reliable choices for a pesto sandwich because their sturdy crumb holds the sauce and fillings. A baguette also works, but remove some of the inner bread if you want more room for mozzarella and tomato.
Yes, a pesto sandwich can be toasted in a pan, sandwich press, or grill. Use moderate heat so the bread turns golden before the cheese burns, and spread pesto in a thin layer to keep the filling from becoming greasy.
Mozzarella is a classic choice for a pesto sandwich because its mild flavor lets basil pesto stand out and it melts smoothly. Provolone or fontina gives a stronger, richer flavor if you want an alternative.
Roasted red peppers, grilled zucchini, and baby spinach all work well in a pesto sandwich. Pat roasted vegetables dry before adding them so their moisture does not make the bread soggy.
Yes, cooked chicken makes a good addition to a pesto sandwich. Add sliced or shredded chicken with mozzarella, or pair it with roasted peppers; let freshly cooked chicken cool before assembling the sandwich.
A pesto sandwich can be a balanced meal when it includes vegetables and a filling such as mozzarella or chicken. Its overall nutritional quality depends on the bread, pesto amount, and fillings, so adding vegetables and using a moderate layer of pesto are practical choices.
To keep a pesto sandwich from getting soggy, dry tomato and other wet fillings, use sturdy bread, and avoid spreading pesto right to the edges. If packing it ahead, keep juicy vegetables separate and add them just before eating.
A pesto sandwich pairs well with a green salad, tomato soup, or roasted vegetables. For a lighter lunch, choose a simple salad; the fresh, crisp vegetables balance the rich flavor of the pesto and cheese.
Vitamins
Vitamin K
28.8µg · 24% DV
B12
0.48µg · 20% DV
B1
0.19mg · 16% DV
B2
0.21mg · 16% DV
Minerals
Sodium
768mg · 33% DV
Phosphorus
144mg · 21% DV
Selenium
11µg · 20% DV
Calcium
176mg · 18% DV
Potassium ⭐
256mg · 8% DV
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
To burn the 432 calories in 1 piece (medium) (160 g):
🚶
Walking (5 km/h)
🏃
Running (8 km/h)
🚴
Cycling
🏊
Swimming
Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.
A Pesto sandwich brings Ligurian pesto, the basil-based sauce from north-western Italy, together with bread; mozzarella and tomato are common additions. Recipes vary, and some versions keep the filling simple while others add vegetables or extra cheese.
Its fragrant, herby sauce pairs well with creamy mozzarella and juicy tomato. In Italy it is an easy café or lunch choice, and elsewhere it works just as well as a packed lunch or a quick meal. The bread provides much of its carbohydrate, while the filling contributes some protein: there are 8 g per 100 g. For a lighter version, use a thinner layer of pesto and add extra tomato or leafy greens.
Medium
How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.
Medium
An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.
Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.
NOVA 3
Processed
1. Unprocessed
2. Minimally Processed
3. Processed
4. Ultra-Processed
NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.
Contains these allergens:
Vegan
— Not suitable
Vegetarian
✓ Suitable
Gluten-Free
— Not suitable
Dairy-Free
— Not suitable
Mediterranean
✓ Suitable
Paleo
— Not suitable
Whole30
— Not suitable
DASH
— Not suitable
Keto
— Not suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
SATURATED
5.12g
MONOUNSATURATED
8.16g
POLYUNSATURATED
2.24g
Omega 6:3 ratio 10.1:1
Above the ideal 4:1 (10.1:1).
Ask the AI nutrition coach — calories, portions, alternatives and more, answered in seconds in the app.
Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.