Community
Sandwiches

Pan Bagnat Monégasque – U Pan-Bagnà

10 min 2 servings Easy
Save

Discover the traditional Monégasque Pan Bagnat, or U Pan-Bagnà, a simple Monaco sandwich made with crusty bread, ripe tomatoes, garlic, fresh basil and olive oil.

Pan Bagnat, known in Monaco as “U Pan-Bagnà”, is one of those simple Mediterranean recipes that tell the story of the Riviera through just a handful of ingredients.

In Monégasque tradition, it is prepared with crusty bread, sun-ripened tomatoes, garlic, fresh basil and a generous amount of olive oil.

Unlike the more elaborate versions found elsewhere along the Côte d’Azur, this traditional preparation is all about simplicity. The tomatoes are gently rubbed and pressed into the bread so that their juices soak into the crumb before the basil and olive oil are added.

The result is a fresh, generous and unmistakably Mediterranean snack, perfect for a sunny lunch by the sea.

Follow the recipe below to prepare this simple traditional Pan Bagnat from Monaco.

Ingredients

1 baguette crusty
2 garlic cloves
4–5 tomatoes ripe
10 fresh basil leaves
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp wine vinegar
1 pinch of salt
1 pinch of black pepper

Preparation

1

Prepare the tomatoes

Wash and dry the tomatoes carefully, then cut them into quarters.

2

Prepare the baguette

Slice the baguette lengthwise. Gently rub the inside of the bread with garlic to flavor the crumb.

3

Rub the bread with tomato

Take a few pieces of tomato and gently rub and press them into the crumb so that the juices soak into the bread.

4

Add the tomatoes and basil

Arrange the remaining tomatoes inside the baguette, then add the fresh basil leaves.

5

Season generously

Add a small splash of wine vinegar, then drizzle generously with extra virgin olive oil. Season with salt and black pepper.

6

Close and serve

Close the baguette and let it rest for a few minutes so the bread can absorb the tomato juices and olive oil. Serve and enjoy.