Caprese is the best salad in disguise ever. It tastes delicious, and its ingredients are packed with health benefits--all without a single piece of spinach or romaine lettuce in sight. Its simplicity makes it a perfectly versatile dish, easy to dress up and down.
Caprese lovers, rejoice: here are three easy and delicious ways to spice up the mozzarella, tomato and basil classic. They are sure to make an easy lunch, a quick snack or a simple meal that's perfect for sharing.Caprese Pasta Salad
- Prep Time:5 mins
- Cook Time:15 mins
- Total Time:20 mins
- Servings:3
- Easy
- 1 box 16-oz rotini pasta
- 1 8-oz container grape or cherry tomatoes
- 1 8-oz container mozzarella pearls
- 1/4 cup fresh basil roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup pesto
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp Balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Ingredients
-
Step 1
Cook pasta according to box directions.
-
Step 2
Cut the tomatoes in half.
-
Step 3
Add olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper and pesto to the pasta.
-
Step 4
Add the tomato, mozzarella pearls and basil.
-
Step 5
Mix well and enjoy!
Caprese Calzone
- Prep Time:5 mins
- Cook Time:10 mins
- Total Time:15 mins
- Servings:4
- Easy
- 1 tube Pillsbury pizza crust
- 2 Roma tomatoes
- 4 oz. mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil
Ingredients
-
Step 1
Preheat oven to 425° F. Divide and lay out the pizza crust.
-
Step 2
Slice the tomatoes.
-
Step 3
Place the tomato, mozzarella and basil on the pizza dough.
-
Step 4
Fold over the pizza dough and seal.
-
Step 5
Bake calzones for 9-11 minutes or until golden brown, and enjoy immediately.
Caprese Avocado Toast
- Prep Time:5 mins
- Cook Time:0
- Total Time:5 mins
- Servings:2
- Easy
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 pieces toasted bread
- 4 oz. fresh mozzarella
- 1 cup grape tomatoes
- 1 tbsp Balsamic vinegar
Ingredients
-
Step 1
Scoop out the center of the avocados.
-
Step 2
Mash in the lemon juice, salt and pepper.
-
Step 3
Slice the tomatoes in half.
-
Step 4
Spread the avocado mixture on the toasted bread.
-
Step 5
Layer on tomato and mozzarella, and lightly drizzle Balsamic vinegar on top.
After trying these three simple but delicious recipes, I hope you feel as if you have just taken a short vacation to the coast of Italy. Not only did you make something delicious in just a few minutes, but you put wholesome ingredients in your body (read: win-win-win).