Tomato Mozzarella Salad
This tomato Mozzarella salad is a great twist on the Italian classic caprese salad with toasted pine nuts. In fact, tomatoes and mozzarella are always a great combination. The best part is that it’s done in no time at all and can be kept in the fridge for days.
The first time I saw this salad, I hadn’t even tasted it yet—but it looked so pretty sitting on the table at an office get-together. Someone from my husband’s work had brought it, and it totally caught my eye—bright cherry tomatoes, little mozzarella balls, fresh and colorful.
I didn’t try it that day, but when we got home, my husband would not stop talking about it. He raved about how good it was—so of course, I had to recreate it at home.
I gave it my own little twist—added toasted pine nuts for a bit of crunch, fresh parsley, and tossed it all in a honey mustard dressing. And honestly? It’s been a favorite ever since. Every time I make it, people ask for the recipe. It’s one of those salads that looks great on the table and tastes even better.
One of the best parts? It’s perfect for entertaining because you can make it a day ahead. The flavors get even better after sitting, and it saves me one less thing to prep when guests arrive. Total win!
Ingredients and substitutes
- Tomatoes – Cherry tomatoes are the best. These are sweet, juicy, and burst deliciously in your mouth. But you can also use a large diced tomato.
- Mozzarella – You can use a block of mozzarella and cut it into cubes. I love these little mozzarella pearls because they look so cute.
- Pine Nuts—A bit of a Middle Eastern twist on this Italian classic, pine nuts are absolutely incredible when toasted and added to a salad. Not to mention, they are incredibly nutritious and healthy, too!
- Basil/parsley– I love to tear the basil into small pieces here so they don’t steal the show. Alternatively, use chopped parsley.
- Olive Oil—Good quality olive oil is an absolute must in this salad. Its flavor is unbeatable.
- Vinegar—I use apple cider vinegar most often, but a good balsamic vinegar works well as a treat, too.
Step-by-step: Cherry Tomato Mozzarella Salad
- Dressing – In a mason jar, add all the dressing ingredients. Roughly tear two basil leaves and add them to the dressing. Then, close the lid and shake the jar well. Set aside until ready to use.
- Pine nuts – In a frying pan, toast the pine nuts. I like to get little light brown spots on them,
- Tomatoes – Remove the stems, then wash and drain cherry tomatoes. Make the slit to Alternatively, cut, deseed, and dice two large tomatoes.
- Mozzarella – Drain the mozzarella balls from the water and set them aside. Alternatively, use a block of mozzarella. Cut it into cubes and set aside.
- Assemble – In a large salad bowl, add the tomatoes, Mozzarella, sliced onions, parsley, and toasted pine nuts. Roughly tear a few basil leaves and add them, too. Then, pour the dressing over the salad and combine well.
- Chill – Finally, cover it with plastic wrap and let it chill in the fridge for an hour or until ready to serve.
Tomato Mozzarella Salad
This tomato Mozzarella salad is a great twist on the Italian classic Caprese salad with toasted pine nuts. Tomato and mozzarella are always a great combination. The best part is this gets done in no time at all and can be kept in the fridge for days.
Video
Ingredients
- 1 lb (500 g) Cheery tomatoes
- ½ lb (250 g) Mozzarella balls
- 1 small Spanish red onion sliced
- ½ cup (65 g) Pine nuts toasted
- ¼ cup Basil or fresh parsley
- ¼ cup (60 ml) Olive oil
- 2 tbsp Lemon juice or Vinegar
- 1 tsp Mustard
- 1 tbsp Honey
- ¼ tsp Salt
- ¼ tsp Pepper
Method
- Dressing – In a mason jar – add all the dressing ingredients. Roughly tear two basil leaves and add them to the dressing. Close the lid and give the jar a good shake. Set aside until ready to use it.¼ cup Olive oil, 2 tbsp Lemon juice or Vinegar, 1 tbsp Honey, ¼ tsp Salt, ¼ tsp Pepper, 1 tsp Mustard
- Pine nuts – In a frying pan toast the pine nuts. I like to get little light brown spots on them,½ cup Pine nuts
- Tomatoes: Remove the stems, then wash and drain cherry tomatoes. Make a slit in each tomato. Alternatively, cut, deseed, and dice two large tomatoes.1 lb Cheery tomatoes
- Mozzarella – drain Mozzarella balls from water and set them aside. Alternatively, use a block of mozzarella. Cut into cubes and set aside.½ lb Mozzarella balls
- Assemble – To a salad bowl, add the tomatoes, Mozzarella, sliced onions, parsley, and toasted pine nuts. Roughly tear a few basil leaves and add them too. Pour the dressing over the salad and combine well.¼ cup Basil or fresh parsley, 1 small Spanish red onion
- Rest – Cover with plastic wrap and let chill in the fridge for an hour or until ready to serve
Notes
- Use ripe cherry tomatoes. Go for tomatoes that are firm but sweet. If they’re too soft, they’ll get mushy once mixed with the dressing.
- Drain the mozzarella well. If your mozzarella balls are packed in water, make sure to drain and pat them dry. You don’t want extra liquid watering down your dressing.
- Thinly slice the onion. Spanish onions are milder, but slicing them thinly makes sure they don’t overpower the salad. A quick soak in cold water can mellow them even more if needed.
- Toast those pine nuts. Toasting the pine nuts brings out their flavor big time. Just a few minutes in a dry pan until golden—don’t walk away, they burn fast!
- Don’t skip the fresh parsley. It adds a pop of freshness and color. Chop it right before serving for best flavor.
- Let it sit (just a bit). Toss everything with the dressing and let it rest for about 15–20 minutes before serving. It helps the flavors mingle without making the tomatoes too soft.
- Serve at room temperature. Cold tomatoes straight from the fridge can be a bit dull. Let the salad sit out a bit before serving—it brings out all the flavors.
- Make the dressing in advance. The honey mustard dressing can be made ahead and stored in the fridge. Just shake or whisk it before using.
- Add greens if you like. Want to bulk it up? Throw in a handful of baby spinach or arugula right before serving.
- Use what you have. No pine nuts?
Equipment you will need
Nutrition
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I love the addition of pine nuts in this recipe, a bit of an indulgence but they really do add so much. Fantastic dressing too!
Thanks, Brian. Yes, love pine nuts especially in salads
What beautiful salad. A great way to use up all the tomatoes in my garden.
Absolutely, Dannii. Thanks
I love the touch of sweetness from the honey. This salad is so easy and refreshing!
Thanks, Tilly. yes me too. Honey adds that little extra to the mozzarella.
Tomato and Mozzarella Salad is one of my favourite think to eat in summer. Those toasted pine nuts are such a clever way to elevate the classic recipe and bring a yummy nutty crunch, cant wait to try it!
Thanks, Sylvie. Absolutely. Great way to up an old classic.
I love cherry tomatoes and mozzarella together! This salad looks perfect for the summer!
Thanks, Natalie. Yes, perfect combination always.
What an easy, delicious salad to whip up in a hurry. Simple ingredients that produce great results. I love the addition of pine nuts for the great texture too.
Thank you Gloria.. I love the pine nuts in there too!
This is one of my favorite Italian salads/antipasti! I usually prefer it with balsamic vinegar, but I’ve never tried it with cherry tomatoes before. What a great idea!
Kudos on a such a lovely post!
Thank you Daria