Roasted Tomato Caprese Salad (Printable)
Vibrant Italian salad with caramelized cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, fresh basil, and balsamic glaze.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1.1 lb ripe cherry tomatoes, halved
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Cheese
04 - 9 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced
→ Fresh Herbs
05 - 0.7 oz fresh basil leaves
→ Dressing
06 - 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
07 - 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F.
02 - Arrange the halved cherry tomatoes on a baking tray. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil, season with salt and pepper.
03 - Roast the tomatoes for 20-25 minutes until caramelized and slightly shriveled. Allow to cool slightly.
04 - On a large platter, arrange the mozzarella slices and roasted tomatoes, alternating for visual appeal.
05 - Tuck fresh basil leaves between the cheese and tomatoes.
06 - Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar or glaze. Finish with a pinch of salt and extra cracked black pepper if desired. Serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The roasting concentrates the tomato flavor into something extraordinary while keeping the preparation ridiculously simple
- Warm roasted tomatoes against cool mozzarella creates this incredible temperature contrast that makes every bite interesting
02 -
- Let the tomatoes cool for about 5 minutes before assembling so they do not immediately melt the mozzarella into a puddle
- Balsamic glaze provides a thicker consistency and sweeter flavor than plain vinegar
03 -
- Use a rimmed baking sheet to catch all the delicious tomato juices that release during roasting
- Room temperature ingredients make a significant difference in the final flavor balance