Pesto Caprese Salad

A fresh, vibrant twist on classic caprese made with juicy cherry tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, and basil pesto. It comes together in minutes and works beautifully as a side dish, light lunch, or summer appetizer.

Shared notes will appear here.

Soups, Salads & Bowls

Italian

Kitchen Pace : 🕒

Servings:

Recipe by NAVA Kitchen

Pesto caprese salad with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, basil, and toasted sourdough in the background.

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Ingredients:

2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
8 oz mozzarella pearls, small mozzarella balls, drained
¼ cup basil pesto
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Optional: very light drizzle of balsamic glaze or pomegranate molasses, for serving

Method:

Start Cooking

Add the cherry tomatoes and mozzarella pearls to a large bowl.
Spoon in the pesto and drizzle with olive oil.
Gently toss until evenly coated.
Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Transfer to a serving bowl or platter.
If using, add a very light drizzle of balsamic glaze or pomegranate molasses just before serving.
Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve fresh or slightly chilled. Bon appétit.

Kitchen Tools:

Notes:

From the kitchen

Let the mozzarella pearls sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving for better flavor and texture.
If your pesto is very thick, loosen it with a little olive oil before mixing.
Add the balsamic glaze or pomegranate molasses just before serving to keep the salad fresh and glossy.

Make it yours

Add a little more pesto if you prefer a richer, more herb-forward salad.
Add sliced avocado for extra creaminess.
Toss in toasted pine nuts for crunch.
Add grilled chicken or chickpeas to make it more filling.
Use yellow cherry tomatoes for extra color variation.
Add cooked pasta to turn it into a pesto caprese pasta salad.

At the table

Serve chilled or slightly cool alongside grilled chicken, salmon, steak, sandwiches, or crusty bread.
It also works beautifully for potlucks, picnics, and summer gatherings.

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FROM THE PANTRY

Caprese salad

WHY WE LOVE IT

Pesto transforms a classic caprese salad into something richer, more aromatic, and deeply flavorful with almost no extra effort. The combination of juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella pearls, and basil pesto creates a fresh summer salad that feels both elegant and effortless.

A LITTLE STORY

Caprese salad originated on the island of Capri in Italy and is traditionally made with tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, olive oil, and salt to reflect the colors of the Italian flag. This pesto-inspired version keeps the same fresh foundation while adding a modern, herb-forward twist.

DID YOU KNOW?

Fresh mozzarella pearls are often called “perlini,” meaning “little pearls” in Italian. Their small size makes them perfect for salads because they evenly distribute creamy flavor in every bite.