Tomato and Mozzarella Salad

Tomato and Mozzarella Salad

Mia

This classic Caprese-style salad, known in Italy as "Insalata Caprese," celebrates the simple perfection of fresh, quality ingredients. Originating from the island of Capri, this dish embodies the essence of Mediterranean cuisine with its focus on seasonal produce, minimal processing, and harmonious flavor combinations. The vibrant red tomatoes, pristine white mozzarella, and fresh green basil even mirror the colors of the Italian flag, making this salad as visually stunning as it is delicious.

The magic of this salad lies in the quality of its components. Ripe, juicy tomatoes provide natural sweetness and acidity, while creamy fresh mozzarella offers a mild, milky richness that perfectly balances the tomatoes' brightness. A drizzle of extra virgin olive oil adds fruity depth, while balsamic vinegar contributes a subtle tang and complexity. Fresh basil leaves bring an aromatic, slightly peppery note that ties everything together beautifully.

Perfect for busy lifestyles, this grab-and-go salad requires no cooking and can be assembled in minutes. It's ideal for meal prep, as you can prepare the components ahead and assemble just before eating to maintain optimal texture. Whether packed in a portable container for lunch at work or enjoyed as a light dinner on a warm evening, this salad delivers satisfying nutrition without weighing you down.

This dish is a cornerstone of the Mediterranean diet, offering heart-healthy fats from olive oil, protein from mozzarella, and antioxidants from tomatoes and basil. It's naturally low in carbohydrates and provides a complete, balanced meal that keeps you energized throughout the day. Serve it with crusty whole grain bread for a more substantial meal, or enjoy it on its own for a lighter option.

Nutrition

10 minutes
None servings
320 calories
Fat 25.00g
Carbs 10.00g
Protein 16.00g

Ingredients

3 mediumripe tomatoes, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
8 ozfresh mozzarella, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
1/4 cupfresh basil leaves, whole or torn
3 tbspextra virgin olive oil
1 tbspbalsamic vinegar
1/2 tspsea salt
1/4 tspblack pepper, freshly ground
1 tbspbalsamic glaze (optional)

Equipment

Cutting board
measuring spoons
paper towels
sharp knife
serving plate or portable containers

16:8 Diet

This nutrient-dense salad is perfect for the 16:8 eating window, providing satisfying protein from mozzarella, healthy fats from olive oil for sustained energy, and antioxidants from fresh tomatoes and basil. The balanced combination of macronutrients helps maintain satiety throughout the fasting period while delivering complete nutrition.

80/20 Diet

This recipe is 100% nutrient-dense whole foods, exceeding the 80/20 Diet's requirement with fresh vegetables (tomatoes), quality dairy (mozzarella), fresh herbs (basil), and heart-healthy extra virgin olive oil. Every ingredient is minimally processed, anti-inflammatory, and rich in vitamins, minerals, and beneficial compounds.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

This salad is rich in anti-inflammatory ingredients including extra virgin olive oil (high in polyphenols), fresh tomatoes (lycopene and antioxidants), and basil (anti-inflammatory compounds). It avoids all processed foods, refined sugars, and trans fats while emphasizing whole, fresh ingredients that support reduced inflammation.

Clean Eating

This salad exemplifies clean eating with only whole, minimally processed ingredients in their natural state: fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, extra virgin olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. It contains no refined sugars, artificial ingredients, preservatives, or processed foods—just simple, recognizable whole-food ingredients.

Flexitarian Diet

This plant-forward salad perfectly fits the Flexitarian approach with vegetables (tomatoes) and fresh herbs (basil) as the foundation, while including a moderate amount of dairy (mozzarella) as a supporting ingredient. The emphasis on whole, minimally processed foods and plant-based components makes it an ideal Flexitarian meal.

Gluten-Free Diet

This naturally gluten-free salad contains no wheat, barley, rye, or gluten-containing ingredients, using only fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, basil, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. All ingredients are whole foods that are inherently gluten-free, making it safe for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

Heart-Healthy Diet

This heart-healthy salad features extra virgin olive oil rich in monounsaturated fats, fresh tomatoes packed with lycopene and antioxidants, and moderate amounts of cheese for protein. It's naturally low in sodium (controlled by the amount of added salt), contains no saturated fats from meat or fried foods, and emphasizes cardiovascular-protective ingredients.

Intermittent Fasting

This nutrient-dense salad is ideal for intermittent fasting eating windows, providing satisfying protein from mozzarella, healthy fats from olive oil, and antioxidants from fresh tomatoes and basil. The whole, unprocessed ingredients support stable blood sugar levels and provide sustained energy throughout fasting periods.

Intuitive Eating

This satisfying salad honors Intuitive Eating principles by featuring balanced, nourishing ingredients that provide both pleasure and nutrition without restriction. The combination of creamy mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, aromatic basil, and flavorful olive oil creates a meal that is both delicious and satisfying, supporting a positive relationship with food.

Low-Carb Diet

This salad is naturally low in carbohydrates, with the main carbs coming from fresh tomatoes while providing protein from mozzarella and healthy fats from olive oil. It avoids all grains, bread, pasta, and sugar, making it an excellent low-carb option that keeps net carbs well under 15g per serving.

Mediterranean Diet

This classic Caprese salad is a cornerstone of Mediterranean cuisine, featuring extra virgin olive oil as the primary fat source, fresh vegetables (tomatoes), and moderate dairy (mozzarella). It emphasizes whole, unprocessed ingredients and uses herbs (basil) for flavoring, perfectly embodying the Mediterranean diet's focus on simple, quality ingredients and heart-healthy fats.

Mindful Eating

This salad is ideal for mindful eating with its varied textures (creamy mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, tender basil), vibrant colors (red, white, green), and aromatic flavors that engage multiple senses. The whole, minimally processed ingredients encourage slow, conscious consumption and sensory appreciation of each component.

Vegetarian Diet

This completely vegetarian salad contains no meat, poultry, fish, or seafood, featuring mozzarella cheese as the protein source alongside fresh vegetables and herbs. It provides a balanced combination of dairy protein, healthy fats from olive oil, and nutrients from tomatoes and basil.

Weight Watchers

This salad aligns with Weight Watchers principles by emphasizing whole, unprocessed ingredients including fresh vegetables and using minimal added fats. The portion-controlled recipe features nutrient-dense tomatoes and basil, with moderate amounts of cheese and olive oil, making it a satisfying yet balanced meal option.

Instructions

1

Wash the tomatoes under cold running water and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.

1 min
2

Using a sharp knife, slice the tomatoes into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Aim for uniform thickness to ensure even presentation.

2 min
3

Slice the fresh mozzarella into 1/4-inch thick rounds, matching the thickness of the tomato slices. If the mozzarella is wet, gently pat it dry with paper towels.

2 min
4

Rinse the fresh basil leaves gently under cold water and pat them dry. You can leave them whole or tear larger leaves into smaller pieces.

1 min
5

On a serving plate or in portable containers, arrange the tomato and mozzarella slices in an alternating pattern, slightly overlapping each slice. Tuck basil leaves between the slices.

2 min
6

Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil evenly over the arranged tomatoes and mozzarella, ensuring all pieces get a light coating.

7

Drizzle the balsamic vinegar over the salad in a thin stream, distributing it evenly across all the ingredients.

8

Sprinkle the sea salt and freshly ground black pepper evenly over the entire salad to season.

9

If using balsamic glaze, drizzle it over the salad in a decorative pattern for added sweetness and visual appeal.

10

Let the salad rest for 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together, then serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 hours before enjoying.

2 min

Frequently Asked Questions