34 Caprese Recipes That Prove Tomatoes and Mozzarella Belong Together

At it's core, caprese is an Italian salad composed of fresh mozzarella cheese, juicy tomatoes, basil and a little bit of olive oil. While the classic is something we never get tired of, we're also delighted with the many ways this rustic summer side can morph into almost anything at all. That's the inspiration behind these recipes—you'll find the classic take, creative pasta salads, inspired summer weeknight dinners and so much more. Getting hungry? Start simple. You only need four ingredients to whip up the perfect warm-weather appetizer for your next gathering.

The flavors of a classic caprese salad are perfect for pairing with pasta—so why not whip up a batch for your next cookout?

Leave it to Rachael to find a way to make caprese salad quicker, easier and even more delish! Her pesto-inspired sauce ensures that every bite has lots of fresh basil flavor.

This summery twist on caprese swaps in juicy peaches alongside heirloom tomatoes and fresh mozzarella for a sweet and savory combo. It's an easy 10-minute side that's perfect for showing off peak summer produce.

These crisp ciabatta sandwiches layer heirloom tomatoes and fresh mozzarella with smoky almonds and charred red onion for extra crunch.

The classic Caprese salad — a composed arrangement of fresh mozzarella, tomato and basil — is as pretty as it is delicious (especially when tomatoes are at their peak). This creamy quiche brings all that to the table and more, for shockingly few calories.

Ree updates this classic salad by adding a simple balsamic glaze. Just cook the vinegar over low heat until it thickens — and then prepare to be amazed by its sweet and savory flavor!

This pasta dish is as eye-catching as it is cheesy. Cheesy tortellini tossed with small pearls of mozzarella create a dish that highlights the various hues of heirloom cherry tomatoes.

It’s not easy to improve a tried-and-true classic — but Giada’s done just that by layering the traditional caprese ingredients over toasty slices of baguette.

Creamy Alfredo pasta meets the freshness of a caprese salad in this one-skillet dinner.

The bright colors and classic flavors of this fun dish make it one of our favorites during the summertime. If you’re worried about cutting your mozzarella evenly, look for a log of pre-sliced cheese at your local supermarket.

Your dishwasher will thank you for this single-sheet pan weeknight dinner — no prep bowls needed! Juicy roasted tomatoes and cheesy chicken get a hint of brightness from fresh basil and a quick balsamic reduction.

It's hard not to love a recipe that uses just 5 ingredients and is ready in 10 minutes — especially when it involves ripe summer tomatoes, aromatic basil and thick slices of mozzarella cheese.

As delicious as they are eye-catching, these fresh and flavorful skewers are perfect for summer entertaining.

Fragrant garlic oil adds new dimension to the classic flavors of garden-fresh tomatoes and basil. Al dente pasta makes it a meal.

Sliced heirloom tomatoes and thick pieces of mozzarella are topped with torn pieces of fresh basil and are tossed in a bright and punchy basil-forward green goddess dressing to create this new take on a classic caprese. When putting yours together, be sure to save a little of the dressing on the side for bread dipping!

Summertime is the pinnacle of caprese season, so we married our love of the grill with our love of this simple classic. The key to this recipe's success is to get the absolute best ingredients you can. Fresh local mozzarella, perfectly ripe tomatoes, good-quality olive oil and a fresh loaf of crusty bread really make a difference here.

This dish tastes just like your favorite summer salad, only heartier. If you haven't tried a one-pot pasta yet, do: It's a great timesaving trick. The noodles and sauce cook together, which means this dinner is ready in just 15 minutes. Stirring in the fresh mozzarella at the end creates an almost-instant cream sauce, coating each noodle with a hint of cheese.

Roasting tomatoes brings out their natural sweetness —a technique that makes Ina's version of this dish feel rich and decadent.

Geoffrey Zakarian knows that we eat with our eyes first. This vibrant caprese is dressed up with yellow and red tomatoes cut into different shapes and sizes.

Melissa d'Arabian transforms white bread into adorable bites. Each tiny cup gets a dollop of cream cheese and basil filling before they are baked until golden brown. Fresh tomatoes add a pop of color to these caprese-inspired tartlets.

Layers of tomatoes and plums create a striking dish that is sure to impress your party guests. Top with creamy burrata cheese, fresh basil and mint to finish off this new take on the classic salad.

Dinner prep just got a whole lot easier, thanks to this recipe—it allows you to cook frozen chicken breasts without having to thaw them first. You’ll simply pan-fry the chicken until it’s golden brown (don’t worry, the oil won’t spatter), then layer them with fresh tomato slices and mozzarella cheese when they’re partially thawed to lock in the moisture as the chicken finishes cooking. The flavors are inspired by the classic Italian Caprese salad of tomato, mozzarella and basil.

Jeff’s riff on the classic caprese salad includes the addition of chicken breast — making it a complete, satisfying meal.

Trisha Yearwood's caprese kabobs are going to be your next grilling obsession. The baguette gets perfectly toasted on the grill as the cheese melts ever so slightly. Soak the wooden skewers prior to grilling to ensure that they don’t burn.

Trust us, you're going to want a "pizza" this! Freshly sliced heirloom tomatoes create colorful layers atop a thin and crispy Parmesan-coated crust.

This new take on caprese can be the centerpiece at your summer party. Build an American flag with purple potatoes, tomatoes and fresh mozzarella. A large wooden cutting board lined with parchment makes the perfect serving platter.

If artichokes are the way to your heart — this recipe is for you. Gently fried in olive oil, they add a crunchy component to this elegant salad.

This side incorporates some not-so traditional ingredients, like crisp celery, making it a version of caprese that can be enjoyed any time of year.

Nothing goes with a warm bowl of tomato soup quite like a toasty panini. Who doesn't love a good cheese pull? To get your mozzarella nice and melted, place a small pan on top of the sandwich to weigh it down as it cooks.

Warm weather means eating outdoors and refreshing salads to keep us cool. Nancy Fuller turns a classic caprese into a chopped salad by incorporating romaine lettuce, Kalamata olives and a light red wine vinegar dressing.

We are "relish-ing" in the glory of this recipe. Tomatoes, capers and red wine vinegar add a freshness and acidity to Bobby Flay's hearty Italian hoagie.

Use endive leaves as edible spoons at your next get together. These bite-sized endive boats filled with tomato, mozzarella and basil can be served along side crudite for a light appetizer.