Best Breadless Sandwich Ever!

You can use a panini press or a skillet to make this incredibly delicious, breadless sandwich. Bell peppers replace the bread while savory ham and melty cheese fill the center. It's a fantastic gluten-free lunch idea that everyone loves.

This recipe is such a fun way to make a sandwich without bread.

One of my sons has Celiac Disease, so I'm always coming up with new, awesome gluten-free recipes. This unique breadless bell pepper sandwich is exactly that.

And this beautiful recipe can be made inside of 20 minutes!

We've already mentioned some of them, but check out this list of  all the things this sandwich can be called:

• A ham and cheese sandwich.
• A breadless sandwich.
• A bell pepper sandwich.
• A grilled cheese sandwich.
• A gluten-free sandwich.
• A Keto-friendly sandwich.
•  And a Panini sandwich.

Ingredient Notes

• bell peppers - Any color you like! I love using a few different colors, though I don't recommend green, unless you happen to love it. Look for firm and shiny peppers that are fairly symmetrical.
• whole grain mustard - I love the texture a whole grain mustard adds to the sandwich, though a smooth mustard is also lovely. Preferably Dijon!
• Gruyère - The creamy texture and nutty flavor of Gruyère is fantastic with the saltiness from the ham and slight crunch in the bell pepper. You can substitute with Swiss, Provolone, Fontina, or whatever you'd like. (A hard cheese is best since we want the melty texture.)
• applewood smoked ham - I love the smoky flavor of this ham, but you can use any hame you like.
• arugula - Arugula (also called Rocket), has a sharp peppery flavor and makes this sandwich even more interesting. You can of course substitute it with a green you love if arugula doesn't suit you. Spinach would be my second choice.

How to Make Them

You can make this on a stove-top grill or griddle, though if you have a panini press, it's the best choice.

- Cut the peppers into what will become the "bread" by cutting a bit off the top and bottom, and removing the membranes and seeds. You will essentially have a hollowed out pepper without the top and bottom.

- Make a slit that goes only halfway through the pepper, on each side. This way, when it's pressed down, it will easily fold. (I usually spread the mustard on at this point, but you can also do it when you add the other ingredients.)

Recipe Tip: Don't worry if you accidentally slice all the way through the pepper when you're cutting the slits. It will still turn out well, it's just easier to manage when it's intact.

- Add the mustard (if you haven't already), ham, cheese and arugula inside the pepper.

- Place the filled pepper on the bottom plate of the panini press.

- Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Then grill the sandwich until the cheese has melted and the pepper is charred.

Recipe Tip: If you don't have a panini press, you can very easily make this in a skillet (Cast iron is ideal, but any skillet will work.) Use a flat-bottomed metal spatula to press down firmly on the top of the bell pepper while it cooks. When the bottom is charred and the cheese is at least partially melted, flip it over and repeat.

* Pro Tip * This breadless sandwich is easiest to eat when cooked, as the pepper softens and the cheese melts into a more pleasant bite. However, it’s still delicious raw, with a crunchier texture and firmer cheese.

Variations

• You can of course mix this up with your own favorite cheese, greens, etc. Swiss, Mozarrella, Cheddar, it's your call. Hard cheeses are typically best for this recipe.
• Spinach, chard or kale are some alternative greens you can use. Or fill it with anything else you like, tomatoes, bacon, turkey, etc.
• Vegetarian version. Skip the ham and add a thin tomato slice.
• Vegan version. Omit the ham and cheese and use sautéed mushrooms and spinach instead.
• You can try this breadless sandwich with other veggies - portobello mushrooms, cabbage leaves or zucchini slices would all be fun.

More Must-Try Gluten-Free Lunch Ideas

• Pepper Jack-Turkey Lettuce Tacos 
• Salmon Rice Bowl with Avocado and Peach
• Apple Cranberry Salad with Chicken
• Shrimp Quinoa Bowl with Pineapple
• Portobello Pizzas with Sausage

So the next time you find yourself looking for delicious gluten-free lunch ideas, I hope you'll stop here for this amazing breadless sandwich recipe!

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