Description
This Super Simple Caprese Salad is summer on a plate—juicy tomatoes, creamy fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil, all drizzled with golden olive oil. It’s the kind of dish that feels fancy but takes five minutes to throw together. Perfect for lazy lunches, last-minute dinner parties, or when you just need a little taste of sunshine. (And yes, it’s way better than my first sad attempt—trust me.)
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large ripe tomatoes (or 1 pint cherry tomatoes) – the sweeter, the better
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella (the kind packed in water, not the rubbery block!)
- 1 handful fresh basil leaves – no dried stuff, please
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil – the good, fruity kind
- Flaky sea salt & freshly cracked black pepper – to taste
- 1 tbsp balsamic glaze (optional, but oh-so-good)
Instructions
- Slice & Dry:
- Cut tomatoes into ¼-inch thick slices. If using cherry tomatoes, halve them.
- Pat the mozzarella dry with a paper towel (wet cheese = sad salad), then slice into similar-thickness pieces.
- Arrange with Love:
- On a plate or platter, alternate tomato and mozzarella slices in a pretty pattern (or just toss them together—no judgment).
- Tuck whole basil leaves between the layers.
- Drizzle & Season:
- Drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.
- For a sweet twist, add a zigzag of balsamic glaze right before serving.
- Let It Rest (If You Can Wait):
- Give it 5–10 minutes for flavors to mingle. Or eat immediately—I won’t tell.
Notes
- Tomato Tip: If your tomatoes are bland, sprinkle them with a pinch of sugar before assembling.
- Make It Fancy: Add a sprinkle of chili flakes or toasted pine nuts for crunch.
- Leftovers? Store components separately (tomatoes + mozzarella in one container, basil in another). The salad turns soggy if stored assembled.
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Equipment
- Sharp knife (dull ones massacre tomatoes)
- Cutting board
- Serving plate or platter
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes (no cooking, just chopping!)
- Category: Salad / Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ½ recipe
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Caprese salad, easy Italian salad, no-cook appetizer, summer tomato recipe, fresh mozzarella salad