Go Back
+ servings
Print
A plate of caprese salad with basil leaves surrounding it and homemade croutons on a white board with cherry tomatoes around it

Caprese Salad

Caprese Salad-Crazy delicious Italian Salad with simple ingredients! This Caprese Salad Recipe is loaded with homemade croutons and video!

Course Appetizer, dressing, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine Italian
Keyword basil pesto, caprese, caprese salad, caprese salad dressing, Caprese salad recipe, Italian, Italian Salad
Prep Time 10 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 600 kcal
Author Mahy

Ingredients

Salad

  • 2 cups Mozzarella (bocconcini or large fresh mozzarella) fresh
  • 3 cups cherry tomatoes or your favorite tomatoes, sliced
  • 1 cup basil fresh basil leaves

Caprese Dressing

Homemade Croutons

  • 3 cups bread cut up into 1 inch chunks. Stale bread works best
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
  • 1/4 cup olive oil

Instructions

  1. Start off by making the croutons. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

    some stale bread chunks on an oven dish surrounded by garlic, olive oil, oregano and chilli flakes to make homemade croutons
  2. Place the bread and all ingredients on a lined baking sheet and toss well.

  3. Bake for 10-14 minutes until crisp and golden. Allow it to cool.

    crispy ready homemade croutons out of the oven
  4. Make the dressing: combine all ingredients in a jar or medium bowl. Mix well.

    ingredients to make the caprese salad dressing including basil pesto, balsamic vinegar and olive oil
  5. Place the basil, mozzarella and tomatoes in a large bowl.

    A plate of caprese salad with basil leaves surrounding it and homemade croutons on a white board with cherry tomatoes around it
  6. Add in as much or little of the homemade croutons as you like.

  7. drizzle the dressing over the salad.

    A spoon drizzling the delicious caprese salad dressing over caprese salad recipe
  8. Serve and enjoy!

    close up of one mozzarella and tomato bite of the caprese salad all dressed up with basil and some extra chilli flakes

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

Caprese salad Recipe Tips

This is a really simple salad to make and can be used as either a main dish or even as a lovely side dish to complement almost any other dish. Once you've tried this version of a Caprese salad with a pesto balsamic dressing, you'll be making this healthy dish again and again.

  • Choose ripe tomatoes! This is crucial.
  • Make sure your use fresh Mozzarella cheese.
  • Always slice tomatoes and cheese if using whole so the salad is easy to serve.
  • Fresh basil is a must, avoid any other substitute.
  • Adding Basil Pesto to the dressing along with sweet balsamic vinegar accentuates the flavors of this simple tasty Caprese so much!
  • While croutons are not classically made in a Caprese, you'll find that they add a hearty feel to the salad. 

Caprese Salad FAQ'S

I can't find Bocconcini at my local store, what should I use?

If you can't find any of the small little balls of mozzarella cheese then you can use the normal mozzarella you find in your local store. You can then either break the cheese up into little chunks or slice the cheese and layer it on your salad platter.

Do I need to use cherry tomatoes?

Traditionally this recipe uses normal tomatoes and not cherry tomatoes. However, I've used cherry tomatoes as they are full of flavour and sweeter than your normal large tomatoes. If you can I would use cherry tomatoes but you can use ordinary ones if necessary.

What Do you Eat Caprese Salad With?

It a great salad and appetizer as it is. However you can also use it on toast, quiche, pasta with chicken and so much more!!

Do you Eat the Basil In Caprese Salad?

A popular question and the answer is straightforward YES!! It's like the "greens" of a green salad, and it compliments the tomatoes and mozzarella so beautifully! 

Nutrition Facts
Caprese Salad
Amount Per Serving
Calories 600 Calories from Fat 324
% Daily Value*
Fat 36g55%
Saturated Fat 5g31%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g
Monounsaturated Fat 23g
Cholesterol 1mg0%
Sodium 1144mg50%
Potassium 298mg9%
Carbohydrates 60g20%
Fiber 5g21%
Sugar 5g6%
Protein 19g38%
Vitamin A 1098IU22%
Vitamin C 27mg33%
Calcium 52mg5%
Iron 7mg39%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.