15+ Caprese Recipes That Aren't Just Salads

Updated January 25, 2020

Don't get us wrong—we love a good caprese salad. This Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad and this Sun Gold Caprese Salad are proof that you can never go wrong with the classic Italian appetizer. But we like to think of the three core ingredients (tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil) as a colorful opportunity to flex your creativity in the kitchen. From indulgent Caprese Mac and Cheese to the unexpected-but-delicious Caprese Ice Cream Sundaes, you're sure to find a new summer favorite in our collection of best caprese recipes. 

Start Slideshow

1 of 17

Caprese Wraps with Chicken

Credit: John Autry; Styling: Mindi Shapiro

Caprese Wraps with Chicken Recipe

It doesn't get simpler than this fresh-tasting, summer-perfect dish. Pick up a rotisserie chicken and assemble this hearty sandwich for a quick and easy weeknight meal.

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 17

Shaved Honeydew Caprese With Green Tomato and Burrata

Credit: Stephen DeVries

Shaved Honeydew Caprese With Green Tomato and Burrata Recipe

Ripe honeydew—normally reserved for the bottom of many a fruit salad—shines when shaved into ribbons and swirled with torn pieces of creamy burrata and slices of green tomato. This summery salad makes for an impressive dish at a barbecue, or enjoy as a Jadeite green breakfast bowl to liven up the first meal of the day. 

3 of 17

Caprese Pasta Salad

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Styling: Gerri Williams for James Reps

Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe

This Caprese Pasta Salad recipe is made up of delicious mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil. We love the way our Basic Vinaigrette complements this refreshing summer side or main dish, but you can always customize the recipe if you prefer a milder taste. 

Advertisement

4 of 17

Caprese Ice Cream Sundaes

Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Katelyn Hardwick; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen

Caprese Ice Cream Sundaes Recipe

This super-sophisticated, wow-worthy dessert is a great twist on two separate dishes. It takes some time, but it’s worth it, especially for a special occasion. Poaching tomatoes in simple syrup brings out their fruitier side. Paired with buttery and salty ice cream, you’ve got a smart and different winner.

5 of 17

Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Toni Brogan

Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad Recipe

A Caprese salad—tomatoes, basil, and fresh mozzarella cheese—is one of the easiest and most delicious ways to show off peak-season Southern-grown tomatoes. Give this salad a fun new look by using a mix of multicolored cherry tomatoes and small fresh mozzarella balls (also called “bocconcini”) tossed in a simple vinaigrette.

6 of 17

Zucchini-Mushroom Caprese Bowl

Credit: Greg DuPree

Zucchini-Mushroom Caprese Bowl Recipe

This deconstructed zucchini “noodle” version of lasagna satisfies your craving for Italian at a fraction of the calories. Creamy dollops of cheese up the yummy factor; toss in a handful of yellow cherry tomatoes for an extra helping of vegetables.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 17

Single-Skillet Crispy Chicken Caprese Dinner

Credit: Daniel Agee; Food Styling: Karen Rankin; Prop Styling: Kashara Johnson

Single-Skillet Crispy Chicken Caprese Dinner Recipe

Building incredible flavor in a single skillet is one of the smart tricks pro cooks use to get food on the table fast. That said, you’ll actually need 2 skillets—a 12-inch nonstick for cooking and a 10-inch cast-iron for weight—to make this fabulous chicken-under-a-brick inspired dinner.

8 of 17

Caprese Sandwich

Credit: Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Karen Shinto

Caprese Sandwich Recipe

Nothing says summer like ripe heirloom tomatoes in a Caprese salad. Even better: Put the same ingredients on a roll so the bread catches all the juices.

9 of 17

Caprese Mac and Cheese

Credit: Time Inc. Video Studio

Caprese Mac and Cheese Recipe

Inspired by the classic Caprese combo of mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, this decadent baked macaroni and cheese recipe is sure to wow. Roasted tomatoes add a touch of sophistication, as well as a burst of bright flavor to cut the richness of this creamy pasta bake.  

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 17

Grilled Zucchini Caprese Sandwiches

Credit: Levi Brown; Styling: Angharad Bailey

Grilled Zucchini Caprese Sandwiches Recipe

The fresh flavors in this Grilled Zucchini Caprese Sandwich recipe will leave you wanting more. One online reviewer claims, "These sandwiches came together quickly and won over the crowd. The zucchini was so flavorful with the garlic and oil. I wouldn't make any changes to the recipe! (served with chips and fresh veggies for lunch)"

11 of 17

Sun Gold Tomato Caprese Salad

Credit: Jennifer Causey

Sun Gold Tomato Caprese Salad Recipe

We use young heirloom Cherokee Purple tomatoes to balance the intense sweetness of Sun Golds with a little acid and umami depth, but other red cherry tomatoes will work well also.

12 of 17

Caprese Salsa

Credit: Kelsey Hansen; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Julia Levy

Caprese Salsa Recipe

We loved the classic caprese salad so much, we transformed it into a vibrant summer “salsa,” so that we could top just about everything with it. The simple, but so satisfying, flavor combo of ripe, juicy tomatoes, fresh basil, and rich mozzarella cheese is the perfect path to amping up any number of your favorite summertime staples.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 17

 Caprese Galette with Balsamic Reduction

Credit: Daniel Agee; Food Styling: Mary-Claire Britton; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

 Caprese Galette with Balsamic Reduction Recipe

The fresh summer favorite, Caprese Salad, gets a delicious and elegant makeover in this savory galette. Featuring thick slices of heirloom tomatoes and fresh mozzarella cheese, boosted with a fresh basil pesto and rich balsamic reduction, this stunning tart is loaded with bold, fresh flavors and makes for the perfect addition any summer gathering. And the best part is, despite its lovely presentation, this Caprese Galette is incredibly simple to pull together. If possible, try to use ripe, locally sourced tomatoes for this recipe, as they’ll generally offer fuller flavor than what you pick up at the supermarket. This galette can be served warm from the oven or at room temperature—just garnish with a few fresh basil leaves before you put it out, and get ready to rake in the compliments. 

14 of 17

Panzanella Caprese Stack

Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Styling: Rishon Hanners

Panzanella Caprese Stack Recipe

This panzanella-meets-caprese stack makes for an impressive appetizer salad for two or can be enjoyed as a lovely summer lunch for one. Layering the stack with the dressing in between each delicious layer allows every component of the stack to get well coated, as the elements of a tossed salad would.

15 of 17

Summer Caprese Prosciutto Cups

Credit: Time Inc. Video Studio

Summer Caprese Prosciutto Cups Recipe

Filled with some of our favorite summer flavors, these delightfully crisp prosciutto cups are the easy, so-snackable appetizer you need in your life right now. A mini muffin pan is all you need to transform prosciutto into perfectly crisp vessels for a vibrant summer salad.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 17

Chicken Caprese Pasta

Credit: Linda Pugliese

Chicken Caprese Pasta Recipe

This dish is a great way to use up a bumper crop of tomatoes and herbs. Tender fresh linguine works well with the pesto, but you can use dried pasta as well.

17 of 17

Caprese Tomato Salad

Caprese Tomato Salad Recipe

Make this crisp, fresh tomato salad for your next summer cookout. If you can't find smaller basil leaves, you can gently tear the larger leaves in half.

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next