Fresh, simple, and full of flavor - this Caprese Salad with Mozzarella and Tomato is Italian sunshine on a plate. Sweet tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fresh basil come together in a salad that's ready in minutes and tastes like summer.

A top-down photo of tomato slices, mozzarella, basil and balsamic vinegar on a white platter: the caprese salad

In One Glance

🍅 Recipe name: Caprese Salad with Mozzarella and Tomato
⏱️ Prep time: 5 minutes
🕒 Total time: 5 minutes
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Servings: 2
⚡ Calories: ~194 kcal per serving
🧀 Main ingredients: tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, balsamic vinegar
😋 Taste: fresh, creamy, aromatic, perfectly balanced
💚 Why make it quick, colorful, and full of Mediterranean flavor.
🍴 Difficulty: super easy: slice, drizzle, serve

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In One Glance
Classic Italian Tomato Mozzarella Salad
What Do You Need?
How Do You Prepare This Salad?
Top Tips
📖 Recipe
3 x Salad

Classic Italian Tomato Mozzarella Salad

Some recipes prove that simple really is best. A Caprese salad, or Insalata Caprese in Italy, is one of those dishes. It's just ripe tomatoes, soft mozzarella, and fresh basil, finished with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar or olive oil. That's it. No fancy tricks, no long cooking time. Just a few good ingredients, perfectly balanced.

In Italy, you'll often find this salad served as an appetizer, not a side dish. It's light, elegant, and bursting with flavor. The colors even match the Italian flag: red, white, and green.

For this version, I kept it classic. The result? A salad that looks as bright and fresh as it tastes. Perfect as a starter, lunch, or side dish, and even better when shared.

What Do You Need?

You can find the exact amounts in the recipe card below.

Ingredients Caprese Salad With Mozzarella And Tomato on a white background with text description

Tomatoes: Use ripe, firm tomatoes for the best flavor.
Mozzarella: Buffalo mozzarella is soft and creamy for a richer taste. Alternative: cow mozzarella.
Basil: Fresh leaves only: they make all the difference. Alternative: baby spinach if you can't find basil.
Balsamic vinegar: Adds sweetness and depth. Alternative: white balsamic for a lighter look or a drizzle of olive oil.
Salt and pepper: Finishes everything perfectly. Use flaky sea salt if possible.

How Do You Prepare This Salad?

You can find the full step-by-step instructions in the recipe card below.

Step 1: Slice the tomatoes: Wash and cut into even slices, removing the stems.

Slices of tomato and mozzarella lie alternately on a white plate.

Step 2: Prepare the mozzarella: Slice into rounds (or tear into pieces for a rustic look). Arrange the tomato slices on a plate and layer the mozzarella on top.

Slices of tomato and mozzarella alternate on a plate with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.

Step 3: Drizzle with balsamic vinegar.

Plakjes mozzarella, tomaat met wat balsamico. Een hand legt daar wat basilicumblaadjes bij.

Step 4: Scatter basil leaves, and season with salt and pepper.

Top Tips

Use tomatoes at room temperature: they taste sweeter and juicier.
Drizzle a few drops of good olive oil before serving for extra flavor.
Add a sprinkle of pine nuts or roasted seeds for crunch.
Serve immediately for the freshest flavor.

A white bowl with a caprese salad of tomato, basil, mozzarella and balsamic vinegar.

Did you make this delicious recipe? Tag #byandreajanssen via Instagram! I love to see what your creation looks like and regularly share the most beautiful photos of you! Did you like this recipe? Then leave a rating on the recipe card! Your feedback helps other home cooks and me enormously.

Need more inspiration?

You can find video recipes on my YouTube channel.
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