Tomato, Mozzarella and Basil Salad
on Jul 05, 2020, Updated Dec 15, 2023
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Simple, gorgeous, summer in a bowl.
If there is a combination of tomatoes and mozzarella I don’t like, I have yet to meet it. Caprese salad is the classic, and this is essentially the chopped salad version of caprese. Mushroom, Mozzarella, and Cherry Tomato Pizza; Simplest Tomato, Corn, Basil and Mozzarella Pasta Salad; Roasted Cherry Tomatoes with Burrata and Basil Oil, there has never been a combo of these two perfect foods that we haven’t wanted to dive head first into, especially during tomato season.
I guess you could skip the olives if you are not an olive family, but that pop of salt adds something wonderful. Use any combo if halved pitted olives that your like, or pick a favorite olive and stick with that.
Substituting Cherry and Grape Tomatoes
In most recipes cherry and grape tomatoes are interchangeable, though there are some subtle differences. Cherry tomatoes can range in size from quite small to golf ball size. Grape tomatoes are usually smaller and less sweet than cherry tomatoes. Grape tomatoes are also meatier, with a thicker skin.
Cut the tomatoes in half for this salad, or even in quarters if your cherry tomatoes are on the larger side. You could also use full sized tomatoes, just cut them into 1-inch cubes. You can also cut this recipe in half; it makes a lot and serves 8, which might not be what you need.
15-Minute Tomato, Mozzarella and Basil Salad: Simple, gorgeous, summer in a bowl.
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Make Ahead Tomato and Mozzarella Salad
You can make this salad up to a few hours ahead and let it sit at room temperature. If you want to make it a day ahead, that’s fine, too, though in a perfect world tomatoes never see the inside of a refrigerator, and you would have to refrigerate this overnight. Make sure to bring to room temperature before serving, and if possible, slice and add the basil at the last minute.
What to Serve with Tomato, Mozzarella and Basil Salad
For a pretty perfect simple summer meal, how about this paired up with Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad? I really could think of nothing better on a hot summer afternoon or evening. Or try it on the side of Grilled Chicken Breasts, a Chicken, Bacon and Avocado Spread Sandwich, Grilled Salmon or maybe a grilled marinated strip steak? What DOESN’T this salad go with?
Other recipes with cherry or grape tomatoes:
- Cavatappi with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Pesto
- How to Make Perfect Roasted Tomatoes
- Tomato Bruschetta Couscous
- Tomato, Zucchini and Bulgur Salad
- Salmon with Polenta and Warm Tomato Vinaigrette
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Tomato, Mozzarella and Basil Salad
Ingredients
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon finely minced garlic
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- 1 ½ cups halved pitted mixed olives
- 6 cups cherry or grape tomatoes halved
- 1 pound fresh mozzarella cut into ½-inch cubes
- ½ cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper. Add the olives, tomatoes, mozzarella and basil and toss until the dressing coats all of the ingredients.
This was dinner tonight after a long, tedious drive home from the lake. Tomatoes a d basil from our garden, I doubled the dressing and tossed with a pound of pasta, wow!
Delicious! (added less basil and olives)