Caprese Salad Bowl (Printable)

Vibrant Italian-inspired bowl with creamy mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, fragrant basil, and crispy bread.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables & Herbs

01 - 14 oz ripe tomatoes (heirloom or cherry), sliced or halved
02 - 1 small bunch fresh basil leaves

→ Dairy

03 - 8.8 oz fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini or sliced)

→ Bread

04 - 4 slices rustic bread (ciabatta or sourdough)

→ Dressing

05 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
06 - 1.5 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
07 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

# How To Make It:

01 - Toast bread slices until golden and crispy. Cut into bite-sized cubes or tear into rustic chunks.
02 - Arrange the tomatoes and mozzarella in a large bowl or on a platter, alternating slices for visual appeal.
03 - Tuck fresh basil leaves between the tomato and mozzarella pieces.
04 - Drizzle the olive oil and balsamic vinegar evenly over the salad.
05 - Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
06 - Scatter the crispy bread pieces on top just before serving to maintain their crunch.
07 - Serve immediately and enjoy.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in ten minutes flat, making it your secret weapon for unexpected guests.
  • The contrast between creamy mozzarella and juicy tomatoes with that crispy bread crunch is genuinely addictive.
  • You'll taste the difference that good olive oil and fresh basil make, and it might ruin you for lesser versions.
02 -
  • If you dress this more than a few minutes before serving, the bread will lose its crunch and the whole thing becomes a mushy disappointment—timing is everything.
  • The quality of your tomatoes and mozzarella matters infinitely more than technique; good ingredients forgive amateur assembly, but bad ingredients can't be saved by perfect hands.
03 -
  • Pat your tomatoes dry before assembling—excess moisture is the enemy of balance and the reason the salad tastes diluted.
  • Bring your mozzarella out of the refrigerator twenty minutes before serving so the cheese's subtle flavor actually registers instead of being muted by cold.
Go Back