Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad with Mini Mozzarella Balls (a.k.a. insalata caprese) is an Italian dish that is not only easy to make but also bursting with colorful cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, fragrant basil in an easy homemade balsamic dressing.
You may like my Easy Caprese Bruschetta Recipe with Balsamic Glaze recipe too!
It’s a low carb, gluten free and vegetarian side dish or easy lunch made with simple ingredients and little effort.
Cherry tomato salad is delight to eat in the summer when your garden tomato harvest is coming in. But, adding fresh mozzarella cheese and fragrant basil makes it more filling and more appealing.
With this easy recipe, I’ll show you how to make a delicious balsamic dressing to enhance its flavors. This salad embodies the colors of the Italian flag and is also fitting for a Christmas side dish.
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Caprese has become popular over the years. Traditional caprese is made with large slices of tomato, fresh mozzarella cheese slices and basil leaves with a sprinkle of salt and drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
Since it’s inception in America, caprese has been made into a variety of dishes such as caprese pasta salad, caprese skewers, and caprese chicken, such as Chicken Cutlet Caprese, which is a delicious chicken dinner by the way!
This cherry tomato caprese salad with mini mozzarella balls recipe is one of those delicious and easy variations. It’s a simple salad with lots of flavor, especially if you use sweet, ripe tomatoes from your garden.
But, if you don’t have a vegetable garden, you can find fresh tomatoes at a local farmer’s market. You may even find heirloom cherry tomatoes.
Serve it as a refreshing appetizer/antipasto before a meal, or enjoy it as a light and satisfying lunch on its own with crusty bread. The combination of sweet cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and aromatic basil is sure to tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more.
Where to find fresh mozzarella balls
You can find fresh mozzarella balls (or fresh mozzarella pearls if you prefer) at the grocery store in the refrigerated cheese section or dairy section. Also, they’re often sold at Italian novelty grocery stores.
Should cherry tomatoes be cut for salad?
Cutting cherry tomatoes for salads is best because they’re easier to eat and will not cause the juices and seeds to burst out when bitten. You don’t want to be sitting next to someone when that happens. Additionally, when the cherry tomatoes are cut in half, the juices will mix with the balsamic dressing to add more flavor to the salad.
Ingredients
*The full printable recipe is at the bottom of this post in the recipe card.
- cherry tomatoes (use ripe, garden tomatoes for best flavor)
- mini mozzarella balls
- fresh basil leaves
- extra virgin olive oil
- regular Balsamic vinegar
- balsamic glaze (optional)
- salt and black pepper to taste
Summary Instructions
First, you’ll add balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil to a medium sized bowl with salt and pepper and stir it. Then, you’ll make basil ribbons. They’re easy and I tell you how to do that in the recipe card. Then, you’ll halve the cherry tomatoes and throw them in the bowl followed by drained and rinsed mini mozzarella balls. That’s it!
You don’t have to let it sit a while. You can serve it immediately.
If you’re adding balsamic glaze, do so just before serving so it doesn’t brown the white mozzarella cheese.
Substitutions
- Use grape tomatoes instead of cherry tomatoes.
- Use mozzarella “pearls”, which are smaller, instead of mini mozzarella balls.
- If you don’t have mini mozzarella balls, cut up mozzarella into cubes.
- If you don’t have cherry or grape tomatoes, you may use other types of tomatoes but, cherry and grape tomatoes are sweeter.
What to serve with Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad with Mini Mozzarella Balls
Below are some main dishes and side dishes that pair well with caprese salad.
Italian Baked Ziti with Ricotta Cheese
Easy Baked Italian Sausage and Potato Recipe
Italian Breaded Chicken Cutlets
Easy Grilled Balsamic Chicken Breast with Marinade Recipe
Sauteed Rapini with Garlic and Lemon
4-Ingredient Italian Fried Eggplant Recipe without Bread Crumbs
Easy Garlic Bread in Air Fryer
In just a few simple steps with fresh ingredients, you’ll create a delicious salad that’s as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate. Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad with Mini Mozzarella Balls is a perfect summer salad that’s a timeless classic. It never fails to impress.
So gather your ingredients and and treat your family and friends to a taste of southern Italy, which is where my parents were from, with this irresistible dish.
Buon appetito!
You may also like
Easy Caprese Orzo Pasta Salad Recipe
Easy Caprese Bruschetta Recipe with Balsamic Glaze
Easy One-pan Skillet Caprese Chicken Recipe
I took this recipe to Weekend Potluck.
Easy and Best Caprese Salad with Cherry Tomatoes Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 oz ripe cherry tomatoes
- 8 oz mini mozzarella balls
- 8 large fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 dashes black pepper
Instructions
Make Balsamic Dressing
- First, add to a medium-sized bowl: balsamic vinegar extra virgin olive oil , salt and black pepper. Stir well.
- Next, discard the liquid in the mini mozzarella balls container and lightly rinse them. Add them to the bowl with the balsamic dressing.
- Then, rinse the cherry tomatoes under cold water. Pat them dry gently with a towel. Cut them in half and add them to the bowl.
- Next, layer the fresh basil leaves and roll them. Cut them width wise to make ribbons. Add them to the bowl and stir.
- Then, taste test and add more salt and black pepper (if needed) to taste.
- Finally, just before serving, add a drizzle of balsamic glaze for a sweet and tangy finish.
Notes
Did You Make This Recipe?
If you made this recipe don’t forget to leave a review!
I’m glad you liked it and thanks for the 5-star rating!
I’m buying the needed ingredients for this salad to have with lasagna that’s prepared & in the fridge. Sounds delicious.
Hi Kathy. I’m glad you liked the recipe and thanks for the 5-star rating!
Excellent and tasty caprese salad. My family loved it.
Hi Julia. If you want to prep it the night before, just cut the tomatoes and then add the remaining ingredients the next day. Thanks for the 5-star rating.
I love this recipe.
Can I make it the night before or do you think I should wait to cut the tomatoes until day of?
I’m glad you liked it. Thanks for the 5-star rating Peg!
easy. elegant. delicious
Hi Lori. It’s such an easy recipe to use up those sweet cherry tomatoes. Thanks for the 5-star rating!
Loved this recipe! So easy to assemble and delicious! My husband said he prefers this to traditional caprese salad and since we currently have about 150 cherry tomatoes in the house I’m looking for ways to use them up. Thank you so much for all the wonderful recipes!
That sounds like a nice nostalgic moment. Thanks for the 5-star rating Janis.
Hi Patty. That’s great to hear. Thanks for the 5-star rating too!
I made this for my sister and her husband and it was a huge hit! Thank you so much!
Just like my Mother made.