24 Twists on the Classic Caprese Salad

June 11, 2015
Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Karen Shinto
Transform the classic Italian salad with these tasty twists so you can enjoy caprese salad all summer long. 
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Caprese Pizza

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Food Styling: Kellie Gerber Kelley; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen
Caprese Pizza Recipe
The classic salad jumped to the other side of the menu for a bright play on two Italian favorites.
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Caprese Salad

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
Caprese Salad

The quintessential Italian salad screams summer and pairs perfectly with a back porch and good bottle of wine.

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Hot Bacon Caprese Salad

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham
Hot Bacon Caprese Salad Recipe

Update the Italian tomato salad with a rich, tart dressing.

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Caprese Pasta Salad

Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Styling: Gerri Williams for James Reps 
Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe
Mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil make up this fresh Caprese Pasta Salad.

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Caprese Burgers

Photo: Ryan Liebe
Caprese Burgers Recipe
In this play on the classic Italian salad, Grace Parisi kneads basil pesto into ground beef before grilling, then tops the burgers with mozzarella, sliced tomatoes and even more pesto.

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Nectarine Caprese Salad

Nectarine Caprese Salad Recipe
Made with white nectarines, this savory-sweet Caprese just might trump the classic version. Burrata cheese adds richness, but feel free to sub in fresh mozzarella.
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Mini Caprese Bites

Mini Caprese Bites

Learn how to make easy and delicious mini caprese bites for a quick, no-cook party appetizer that your guests can't resist.

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Caprese Mac and Cheese

Photo: Randy Mayor; Food Styling: Kellie Gerber Kelley; Prop Styling: Lindsay Lower
Caprese Mac and Cheese Recipe
The classic Italian salad gets a kick of creamy comfort in this deliciously light hybrid recipe.

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Caprese Zucchini

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Lindsey Lower
Caprese Zucchini Recipe
Caprese Zucchini gives a nod to the classic Caprese salad as an Italian-inspired topping for this summer veggie.
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Chicken Caprese Salad

Photo: Con Poulos
Chicken Caprese Salad Recipe
Bocconcini (mini mozzarella balls) are often sold floating in herbed olive oil. That tasty oil is essential to this three-ingredient recipe because it adds so much flavor to both the chicken marinade and the dressing.

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Strawberry Caprese Salad

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck and Caroline Cunningham
Strawberry Caprese Salad Recipe
Celebrate the sweet taste of spring with Strawberry Caprese Salad. Fresh basil, strawberries, and mini balls of mozzarella dot this fresh salad. Serve Strawberry Caprese Salad over fresh arugula or as an appetizer with toasted French bread baguette slices.

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Peach and Mint Caprese Salad with Curry Vinaigrette

Lisa Romerein
Peach and Mint Caprese Salad with Curry Vinaigrette Recipe
Trade tomatoes for peaches in this refreshing version of the classic Italian salad.
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Grilled Vegetable Caprese with Pesto

Photo: Oxmoor House
Grilled Vegetable Caprese with Pesto Recipe
The original Caprese salad consists of mozzarella, tomato, and basil, but my take adds grilled vegetables and homemade pesto for a hearty twist.

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Caprese Sandwich

Photo: 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.

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Tortellini Caprese Bites

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Mary Clayton Carl
Tortellini Caprese Bites Recipe
Tortellini Caprese Bites are drizzled with a basil vinaigrette and are so simple to prepare. The no-mess presentation makes these appetizer skewers ideal for parties.

 

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Grilled Green Tomatoes Caprese

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lydia DeGaris Pursell
Grilled Green Tomatoes Caprese Recipe
Ciao, y'all! Green tomatoes go from the frying pan into the fire with a Southern-Italian twist. Using white (rather than brown) balsamic vinegar in the marinade brightens the color of the grilled tomatoes, but the salad's flavor is extraordinary with either.

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Grilled Caprese Sandwiches

Photo: Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Robyn Valarik
Grilled Caprese Sandwiches Recipe
Here's a gourmet marriage of grilled cheese sandwiches and Caprese salad, best made in summer, when tomatoes and basil are at their peak.

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Caprese Skewers

Oxmoor House
Caprese Skewers Recipe
Insalata Caprese is a simply prepared Italian salad made from vine-ripened tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, and olive oil. We've taken similar ingredients and threaded them onto wooden skewers to create these bursting-with-flavor handheld appetizers.
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Open-face Caprese Sandwiches

Photo: Annabelle Breakey
Open-face Caprese Sandwiches Recipe
All the ingredients of the classic summer salad go into these terrific grilled sandwiches.

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Caprese Wraps with Chicken

Photo: John Autry; Styling: Mindi Shapiro
Caprese Wraps with Chicken
Pick up a rotisserie chicken and assemble this hearty sandwich for a quick and easy weeknight meal.

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Eggplant and Tomato Salad

Tim Turner
Eggplant and Tomato Salad Recipe
This easy salad embellishes the famous caprese salad of tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella cheese with the addition of grilled eggplant.
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Orecchiette with Tomatoes, Fresh Mozzarella, and Basil

Becky Luigart-Stayner; Cindy Barr
Orecchiette with Tomatoes, Fresh Mozzarella, and Basil Recipe
Taking its cue from Italy's insalata caprese, this easy dish combines fresh mozzarella cheese with basil and tomatoes. Choose the ripest, most flavorful tomatoes for this sensational pasta salad.

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Fresh Herb-and-Tomato Salsa with Smoked Cheese

Photo: © Kana Okada
Fresh Herb-and-Tomato Salsa with Smoked Cheese Recipe
Inspired by an Italian caprese salad, this tomato salsa is full of smoked cheese. It's so chunky it could be eaten on its own with a fork, but it's also wonderful with shredded chicken.

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Caprese Skillet Eggs

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Karen Shinto
Caprese Skillet Eggs Recipe
You can even eat caprese salad for breakfast with this EGGcellent dish.
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