15 Caprese-Inspired Recipes That Go Way Beyond Salad
Tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil on a platter is pure heaven.
At the height of summer when tomatoes hit their peak, there's no better time to whip up a classic Caprese salad. There’s something so simple yet so satisfying about a medley of juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and aromatic basil. All year long, Ree Drummond looks forward to making this seasonal staple. "Caprese salad is just about my favorite thing on earth," she says. So, it’s no wonder that The Pioneer Woman looks for opportunities to feature this refreshing trio when dreaming up summer recipes. If you love the fresh flavors of Caprese salad as much as Ree, you’re guaranteed to be a big fan of these creative recipes.
Each one of these Caprese-inspired dishes start with the basics: tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. Then, you can add a fun new twist by playing around with flavor combinations, adding unexpected ingredients, or transforming the standard salad into something entirely different. For instance, you can bake up a breakfast frittata, mix up a pasta salad, or pan-fry chicken using the classic salad fixings. Or, you can upgrade the original summer dish by swapping in fried green tomatoes, chopping up the conventional ingredients into bite-sized pieces, or throwing juicy watermelon into the mix. Just be sure to try them all before tomato season ends!
Fried Green Tomato Caprese
Layering creamy mozzarella with fried green tomatoes gives classic Caprese salad a crunchy, golden spin that’s hard to resist. Serve as an appetizer or a side. (Heck, eat it as a whole meal—no judgment!)
Get Ree’s Fried Green Tomato Caprese recipe.
Pesto Chicken with Chopped Caprese Salad
Breaded chicken tastes even better topped with melted mozzarella and zingy pesto. Plate it with a chopped Caprese salad, featuring briny olives, for a tasty summer meal.
Watermelon, Tomato, and Mozzarella Salad
Give traditional Caprese salad a sweet, juicy spin that’s perfect for summer by mixing in cubed watermelon. Plus, this colorful side dish will brighten up your table.
Sheet Pan Caprese Chicken
Although this dinner looks fancy, it’s easy to throw together on a sheet pan. Tender chicken is baked with mozzarella on the same pan as roasted tomatoes before basil and balsamic finish it off.
Get Ree’s Sheet Pan Caprese Chicken recipe.
Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
Stuffing portobello mushrooms with the conventional Caprese fixings then adding a crunchy panko topping makes a fresh summer side or a light vegetarian main that you’ll love.
Get the Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms recipe.
Caprese Chicken
Looking for a summery one-pan dinner? Cook chicken on a skillet before broiling it with mozzarella, and serve the finished product with marinated tomatoes, fresh basil, and a balsamic drizzle.
Get Ree’s Caprese Chicken recipe.
Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole
You can even enjoy Caprese-inspired flavors for breakfast! This baked frittata is packed with juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella pearls, and bright pesto in place of basil.
Get Ree’s Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole recipe.
Caprese Salad
It wouldn’t be a Caprese-inspired roundup without the original salad! Drizzled with a homemade balsamic glaze, this recipe is Ree's favorite way to prepare it.
Get Ree's Caprese Salad recipe.
Caprese Pasta Salad
With the additions of boxed pasta and a white balsamic dressing, this Caprese-inspired dish transforms the classic salad into a summer potluck favorite.
Get the Caprese Pasta Salad recipe.
Caprese French Bread Pizzas
If you’re looking for a fast and stress-free way to make pizza, swap homemade dough for store-bought bread and layer it with zippy pesto, melted mozzarella, thick beefsteak tomatoes, and tangy balsamic.
Get Ree's Caprese French Bread Pizzas recipe.
Caprese Chicken Pasta
This quick weeknight dinner fuses juicy cherry tomatoes and gooey mozzarella with chicken, rigatoni, and breadcrumbs for a hearty take on a Caprese salad.
Get Ree's Caprese Chicken Pasta recipe.
Pesto Caprese Panini
It doesn't get any easier than this 15-minute sandwich! A fun twist on grilled cheese, crispy, golden bread is piled high with mozzarella and tomatoes, plus pesto and red peppers for added color and flavor.
Get Ree's Pesto Caprese Panini recipe.
Caprese Frittata
In this Caprese-inspired recipe, tomatoes and mozzarella are baked in a frittata that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or even breakfast-for-dinner. To give basil a fun new twist, top each slice with pesto.
Get Ree's Caprese Frittata recipe.
Rosemary Caprese Skewers
Sprigs of rosemary replace skewers in this refreshing Caprese-inspired appetizer. It's a creative way to feed a group of guests during any get-together.
Get Ree's Rosemary Caprese Skewers recipe.
Chicken Caprese Salad
This Caprese-inspired dish is similar to a potluck-friendly pasta salad, but it features fluffy couscous as the base. Adding arugula and chicken will turn it into a full meal.
Get the Chicken Caprese Salad recipe.
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