Roasted Tomato Caprese Salad (Printable)

Caramelized cherry tomatoes meet fresh mozzarella, basil, and balsamic glaze in this warm Italian classic.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1.1 lbs ripe cherry tomatoes, halved
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Cheese

04 - 8.8 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

# How-To Steps:

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 Advice:

01 -
  • The roasting transforms cherry tomatoes into little bursts of concentrated sweetness that perfectly balance the creamy mozzarella
  • It comes together in under an hour but tastes like something from an Italian restaurant
  • The warm tomatoes against cool cheese creates this incredible temperature contrast that makes every bite interesting
02 -
  • Don't skip the cooling step after roasting. Piping hot tomatoes will make the mozzarella melt into a puddle and you'll lose that lovely texture contrast.
  • The quality of your mozzarella makes or breaks this dish. I've tried the cheaper stuff and it just doesn't have the same creamy milky flavor.
  • If your tomatoes aren't perfectly ripe, add an extra 5 minutes to roasting time. You want them really jammy and concentrated.
03 -
  • Room temperature ingredients make a huge difference here. Take the mozzarella out of the fridge about 30 minutes before assembling.
  • If making ahead, keep the roasted tomatoes and cheese separate and assemble just before serving to prevent sogginess.

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