Pesto Caprese Salad
Fresh cherry or grape tomatoes, vibrant pesto sauce, creamy fresh mozzarella balls, extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic glaze, basil, and spices. A perfect summer salad recipe!
We are in the thick of summer and all looking for cool summer recipes that are quick and easy to put together. This is one of my favorite salad recipes to keep in the refrigerator for a quick lunch or a side dish for dinner. This is all about highlighting the freshness of summer -- cherry tomatoes and fresh basil. I have so much basil growing everywhere in my garden so I am trying to get creative with it!
This Pesto Caprese Salad is made with fresh grape or cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, pesto sauce, extra-virgin olive oil, fresh basil, balsamic glaze, and salt and pepper. The pesto sauce brings so much freshness from the basil, and nuttiness from the pine nuts, and parmesan cheese. This is the BEST PESTO SAUCE RECIPE!
I love to use creamy fresh mozzarella balls because I can just throw them into the salad bowl, rather than slicing and cutting fresh mozzarella logs into bite-size pieces. You can put this caprese salad together in less than 5 minutes!
This refrigerates really well and lasts for at least one week in the refrigerator. Sometimes, the oil will solidify slightly so just let it come to room temperature for about 10 minutes and you are good to go!
I always love to add a drizzle of balsamic glaze because of its great flavor payoff. Balsamic glaze is different than balsamic glaze because it has a thicker, syrupy type consistency. It also has a richer flavor. I love to drizzle it on salads!
Pesto Caprese Salad
Ingredients
- 1 pint Grape or Cherry Tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 8 ounces Fresh Mozzarella Balls *
- 2 Tablespoons Pesto Sauce **
- 2 to 3 Tablespoons Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
- Balsamic Glaze (drizzle on)
- Fresh Basil
Instructions
- Cut grapes in half. In a large bowl, add tomatoes. Sprinkle with salt. Drain fresh mozzarella and toss fresh mozzarella balls, pesto sauce, olive oil, balsamic glaze, and fresh basil into the bowl. Taste for seasoning.
Notes
- Mozzarella balls may be called Ciliengine or Bocconcini
- I suggest using homemade or refrigerated pesto sauce. My pesto sauce recipe can be found HERE.
Dturvene
Easy to make and a crowd pleaser. I get the "wow, this is so great but I never think to make things like this" comment frequently.
Kiley
So refreshing and full of flavor!!!
Mallory
I’m excited to try this recipe this summer!
Julie Middleton
How many serving does this recipe serve? Looking forward to making this soon
Thank you
Taylor
Love this fresh pasta! Such yummy flavor.
Cheryl
What kind of pesto sauce was used. Basil, pine nut ??
Donna A Pollock
Hey Melissa,
I love this salad so much. I have made it for years. I take this salad to work for lunch about 3 times a week. It is so good and so filling to me. I know it has to be so hot over there where your at.......take good care. Thank you for this recipe. I love those little mozzarella balls.