12 Delicious Ways You Can Caprese

Made to resemble the colors of the Italian flag, the trifecta of mozzarella, tomatoes, and fresh basil never goes wrong. Ranging from simple to complex, these 11 recipes bring out the best in Caprese flavor.

First up, a super easy summertime appetizer for last-minute parties, these four-ingredient Caprese Salads on a Stick are a great stand-by dish. Fresh tomatoes and basil combine with little pearls of mozzarella, which is all topped off by a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

We use young heirloom Cherokee Purple tomatoes to balance the intense sweetness of Sun Golds with a little acid and umami depth, but other red cherry tomatoes will work well also.

What's more refreshing than cubed avocado, mozzarella, and sliced tomatoes? Absolutely nothing! Here, the classic Italian appetizer turns into a riff on the Korean rice dish bibimbap, with a whole-grain upgrade no one will complain about.

This Caprese-inspired pasta toss is the ultimate summer main for a busy weeknight, outdoor picnic, or lunch on the go. Use yellow and red tomatoes for a stunning presentation and wonderful flavor variety.

What a showcase for garden treasures! Rainbow layers of veggies benefit from extra basil tucked in between for more flavor. Grilling brings out earthy tones that are balanced out by the tangy-sweet balsamic glaze.

The classic combination of tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and thinly sliced basil never disappoints. Try it on our caprese pizza, for a bright combo of two Italian favorites, ready in just 45 minutes. An ending drizzle of balsamic vinegar brings out wonderful flavor and makes for a beautiful presentation. 

The classic Italian salad gets a kick of creamy comfort in this deliciously light hybrid recipe. Fast and full of summery goodness, Caprese Mac and Cheese​ can be a main dish for vegetarians. You can use any short pasta you have on hand for this dish, such as large elbows or rotini, instead of the penne pasta.

Give a summer dish some flair with this Italian-inspired super easy side. Grilling adds deep charred flavor to the zucchini, which pairs well with the bright tomatoes and creamy mozzarella. 

Caprese Wraps with Chicken have all the components of a Caprese salad with the added protein of shredded chicken breast. All wrapped up in a multigrain flatbread, this hearty wrap is just as good on the go as it is when served in your dining room. Pick up a rotisserie chicken to speed up dinner.

Find all the fresh flavor of a Caprese salad with the addition of pan-grilled zucchini in this superfast side dish. For more tender zucchini, leave slices in the pan an extra 1 minute on each side. When the flesh starts to look translucent, the zucchini is done.

The classic Caprese salad of juicy tomatoes with fresh mozzarella and fragrant basil makes for a fantastic vegetarian sandwich. We've added grilled zucchini to up the game. Gooey mozza puts it over the top. Crunch is key with the bread, but you can sub in a crusty baguette.

In this recipe, ​we like the way sweet grape tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and luscious risotto combine. Caprese salad meets risotto. Anyone else think this might be a lasting union?