24 Twists on the Classic Caprese Salad

Updated June 11, 2015
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

Credit: 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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How to Make 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

Credit: 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

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. 

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Caprese Burgers

Credit: 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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How to Make Mini Caprese Bites

Learn how to make Mini Caprese Bites for a quick party appetizer that your company can't resist. Fresh tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella combine with tangy balsamic vinaigrette for a no-cook dish that comes together in just 20 minutes.

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Caprese Mac and Cheese

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

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.

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Tortellini Caprese Bites

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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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How to Cook 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: © 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

Credit: 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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