Caprese Antipasto Recipe (2024)

By David Tanis

Caprese Antipasto Recipe (1)

Total Time
About 30 minutes
Rating
4(771)
Notes
Read community notes

If you have ever eaten a caprese salad and wished that you could linger with it longer, that there were more tomatoes to spear with your fork, or more milky slices of cheese on the plate, then this is the dish for you. Best at the height of tomato season, it embellishes on the classic caprese, taking its five simple elements — mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, salt and olive oil — and adding roasted peppers, caperberries (or capers), olive and prosciutto. The result is a luscious lunch or light dinner that will make your dining companions swoon. You will wonder why you didn’t think of it sooner. Serve with a crusty loaf of bread on the side.

Featured in: Caprese Antipasto: A Summertime Italian Wedding

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Ingredients

Yield:4 to 6 servings

  • 2ripe bell peppers, 1 red and 1 yellow if possible
  • Salt and pepper
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1pound fresh mozzarella, at room temperature
  • 2pounds ripe tomatoes, in assorted colors if possible
  • ½pound cherry tomatoes, in assorted colors if possible
  • Handful of caperberries, or 1 tablespoon large capers, rinsed
  • Handful of good-quality olives
  • 6thin slices of prosciutto, more if desired
  • Handful of basil leaves

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)

333 calories; 23 grams fat; 11 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 9 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 12 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams dietary fiber; 7 grams sugars; 21 grams protein; 792 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Caprese Antipasto Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    To roast peppers, set them directly in the flames of a stovetop gas burner turned to high, or over hot coals if you happen to be grilling. (You could also roast under the broiler, with peppers as close to heat source as possible.) Turn peppers with tongs until skins are blackened and blistered all over, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove to a plate and let cool. To peel, cut peppers lengthwise. Scrape seeds and veins away with your knife, then turn peppers over and scrape away charred skin. Slice peeled peppers into ½-inch ribbons and place in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper, then add 1 tablespoon olive oil and toss. (Peppers may be roasted up to a day ahead.)

  2. Cut mozzarella into ¼-inch slices. Cut tomatoes into ½-inch slices and halve cherry tomatoes.

  3. Step

    3

    Arrange mozzarella slices in the center of a large platter. Surround with tomatoes and sprinkle lightly with salt. Add roasted pepper strips, caperberries and olives. Drape prosciutto around the platter. Garnish with basil leaves. Drizzle generously with olive oil and serve.

Ratings

4

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771

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Annie

Please, NEVER. NEVER rinse roasted peppers - you will lose lots of flavor if you do. After roasting cover or place in a paper bag to steam for half hour, then lay them on some paper towels, or on a plate, pull out the stem and seeds, wipe away the char (some remaining flecks enhance look and flavor), then cut into strips.

Virginia

Took the parts along on a spa-get-away double birthday celebration. Substituted varieties of olives for the capers. Included fresh crusty bread. Was fantastic w/ white wine

Becky E.

Super dinner for hot evening with some good French bread and wine. Added some Peppadew peppers, cucumbers and Spanish Chorizo. This is a summer go-to recipe. Used prosciutto piccolo rather than prosciutto de Parma because it is a lot less fatty.

anne

This looks like a great recipe! After charring the bell peppers place them in a bowl and cover with a plate or foil for about half an hour. The skins will separate from the flesh and can be easily removed under running water. Then separate to remove the seeds. Very fast.

gail

A quick trip to Trader Joe's and I had an appetizer or first course. No cooking required and very attractive. I found everything I needed and added grilled artichokes, an avocado and a crusty loaf.

Deborah White

A caprese salad is my summer go-to dish at home or to share with book club or my women's group. A couple additions I use, that draw compliments: Sprinkle liberally with cold rice vinegar to lightly marinate, then sprinkle a bit more just before serving. Also, herbes de provence can be used in lieu of basil leaves. (To make this vegetarian, I delete the prosiutto.)

Rodney

This is a "can't miss" recipe. As long as you get the tomatoes, basil, and roasted peppers, it's a winner. In addition to the ingredients listed, I added a few marinated artichokes and drizzled it with a balsamic reduction. It makes a great appetizer or a side for a light summer meal. It is an impressive presentation for a party or happy hour. Highly recommended!

Elizabeth

Outstandingly easy and delicious! Being in So Calif, all sorts of colorful and delicious tomatoes were available! Great dish to make ahead and NO COOKING over a hot stove!!!!! Drizzled balsamic syrup over top!

Doris

I've made this several times using jarred roasted peppers - it makes this simple but delicious recipe even easier. Wonderful with warm or toasted crusty bread.

Rosalie

This is a must starter for all holiday meals. Roasting peppers makes the house smell wonderful. I also add salami, dry sweet sausage and sharp provolone. It is so satisfying that whatever follows is anticlimactic.

Michael

Before slicing the peppers in half. make a small incision while holding over a bowl to capture all the wonderful juice inside.

Tim King

This made a really nice late summer meal. Added some thin slices of soppressata and capocolla to add a little heft. Served it with a terrific rustic olive bread and some marinated mushrooms that we had in the fridge. Be patient when roasting the peppers -- it will take a bit of time to get a nice all over char and the char is key to getting the best flavor out of the fruit.

jmee

Turn on the grill for the red peppers and throw on some peaches, too. Peaches + prosciutto = YUM!

Debbie

This was delicious! Made as written, then the next day assembled the leftovers with chunks of torn baguette in a bowl to make a bread salad. I can’t decide which I liked better!

Darcy Parsons

You can add an avocado and drizzle everything with Ume Plum Vinegar. So delicious.

Sharon

Made this as an appetizer for a big family gathering and it was a huge hit. Couldn't find caperberries so I left them out. Drizzled with a slightly sweet balsamic & glaze. Yum. The peppers, prosciutto and especially the olives were nice additions that elevated the usual caprese. Yum.

Rob S

This is a stupid recipe. Caprese (the real thing) is a perfect dish. Why gum it up with all this other crap. If you want to add roasted peppers use big slabs - the same size as the tomatoes and alternate with the tomatoes so it pepper, tomato, mozzarella, and repeat. Why mess with perfection. It feels like I’m at that restaurant in Milwaukee where the chef made a classic French dish only to ruin it with his personal flourish.

Myra

Easy and satisfying

Laura S.

In the fall, when the peppers are thick and at their best I love to roast and freeze them just in their own juices. Whenever the peppers are not thick and ripe, my go to Trader Joe’s own brand roasted red peppers, by far the tastiest I’ve had, including several brands from Italy. This combination of antipasti is perfection to me. And I agree with the addition of salamis and marinated mushrooms.

Beverly

This is a Fantastic and easy make ahead (that day) salad. I just use the jarred roasted red peppers and they taste great with this.

Lindsay A.

Made this for a dinner party and it was an absolute hit!

Karen L Davis

How about caprese pranzo (dinner)? For 2, sorta followed the recipe. One giant tomato + 8 oz colorful cherry tomatoes + mozzarella balls. Jarred, roasted red bell peppers. 2T capers. 3T black olives. 2/3 can white beans. About 8 thin slices of prosciutto and a few fewer of soppressata. Coupla handfuls of fresh spinach. Served on dinner plates, sliced tomatoes on the spinach, rolled meats opposite, tossed the rest with some dressing and sprinkled across the plate. Sliced fresh mint scattered over

Geteb

What a treat with my homegrown tomatoes & lemon basil leaves! Platter wasn't big enough for the cherry tomatoes, forgot the capers and added a couple more slices of prosciutto. Charring the peppers over gas stove worked well but make sure ALL surfaces of the peppers are charred - then steam in a paper bag as recommended. Dinner guests swooned in delight - thanks!

Amanda

Great recipe! Agree with another comment, that a splash of balsamic would brighten the whole thing up.

Wallatom

Vine-ripened summer tomatoes are the key. And good quality olive oil is the secret ingredient. We substituted roasted anaheims for the bell peppers as they are our go-to peppers and they were wonderful.

Wallatom

Consider substituting Anaheim peppers for the bell peppers. More flavor, and minimal heat. Our go-to for roasted peppers in the late summer.

Amie

To roast red peppers, I lay them on a sheet of tin foil and broil in oven. When the skin blackens, I remove and crimp up the foil so no steam escapes. After 5 minutes, open foil and skin comes off easily with a piece of paper towel.

"Contessa"

Excellent summer meal with a side of crusty bread and some really good wine!

Jacqueline

After roasting put on plate and cover to steam for half hour, then lay them on some paper towels, skin will come off, pull out the stem and seeds, wipe away the char (some remaining flecks enhance look and flavor), then cut into strips.

derek

Perfect late summer meal. We always have these ingredients on hand!

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Caprese Antipasto Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What pairs well with Caprese? ›

What to Serve with Caprese Chicken: A Crowd-Pleasing Italian Meal
  • Produce. • 1 Broccoli rabe. • 1 Spinach and white beans. ...
  • Pasta & Grains. • 1 Pasta fa*gioli. • 1 Pesto pasta.
  • Bread & Baked Goods. • 1 Garlic bread.
  • Frozen. • 1 Parmesan risotto.
  • Prepared. • 1 Antipasto.
  • Deli. • 1 Caesar salad.
  • Other. • Arancini. • Panzanella.

What is a substitute for basil in Caprese? ›

Spinach, particularly baby spinach, can be a great substitute for basil in dishes where the herb would be served raw, like pesto or Caprese salads. Spinach provides similar color and texture to fresh basil, although it lacks some of the herb's aromatic nuance.

What does Caprese mean in a recipe? ›

This Italian classic “Insalata Caprese,” meaning “Salad of Capri,” is named after the famous white-cliffed resort island of Capri in the south of Italy.

Why is Caprese so good? ›

Caprese is truly a magical and perfect combination of flavors, textures, and freshness: ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, basil, and some kind of drizzle of either olive oil or balsamic… or both. For this Caprese, I used a simple balsamic reduction, which results in a pretty presentation and gorgeous flavor.

What can I use instead of mozzarella in caprese? ›

Burrata cheese is an excellent substitute to fresh mozzarella and has an almost molten middle of cream.

How are you supposed to eat caprese? ›

Or just eat it with your hands! Another way to serve a Caprese style salad is to chop everything into bite-size pieces, toss with the olive oil and vinegar, and serve over a bed of lettuce or as a chilled pasta salad. You can also serve these on fresh baguette or make a panini out of them!

What is a good substitute for tomatoes in caprese? ›

Use persimmons instead of tomatoes. It's hard to find sweet tomatoes during the winter. Turns out, persimmons are great with mozzarella and basil.

What can you substitute for tomatoes in caprese salad? ›

Swap tomatoes for fruit like figs and peaches this summer.

Can I use lemon basil instead of basil? ›

Lemon basil is mild enough to flavor grilled fish or shrimp and can be substituted for basil if you are looking for a fresh twist of flavor. Finely chop and add it to pasta with julienne vegetables and a flavorful extra virgin olive oil for a light and delicious meal.

How healthy is caprese? ›

You'll also be getting a good dose of potassium, vitamin K, and vitamin A. Tomatoes get their signature red color from something called lycopene. Lycopene is linked to better heart and eye health. Basil – Basil is packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and natural essential oils.

What's the difference between burrata and caprese? ›

Burrata is a soft cheese ball with a creamy center, whereas caprese is a simple Italian salad that can be made with either burrata or fresh mozzarella. What is the difference between burrata and mozzarella? Burrata and mozzarella are both creamy, white, semi-soft Italian cheeses very similar in appearance.

What is a substitute for balsamic vinegar in caprese? ›

For every 1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar, substitute 1 Tbsp. cider vinegar or red wine vinegar plus ½ tsp. sugar.

Do Italians put balsamic on mozzarella? ›

It also pairs well with softer cheeses such as gorgonzola. It can also serve as an accent in dishes with goat cheese, ricotta, robiola and mozzarella including burrata.

What is a fun fact about caprese? ›

With only 3 ingredients: tomato, mozzarella and basil.

It is believed that it was created in the 1920s as an alternative to pasta and pizza. A fresh and healthy option for the intense Mediterranean heat. In our restaurant, you will find this specialty and other recipes that will bring you to Italy.

What pairs with Caprese salad? ›

What to serve as a main with Caprese salad? I love to serve a number of things with my Caprese like Ribs, Steak, Salmon, Pasta, Grilled Chicken...

What do Italians eat mozzarella with? ›

Mozzarella is also used in crostini, panini, bruschette, focacce and mozzarella in carrozza. Throughout Italy, there is a family-style way of preparing meat—such as, veal scaloppine, chicken breast and even ground beef—called “alla pizzaiola,” which includes mozzarella, tomatoes and oregano or other herbs.

What does mozzarella pair with? ›

Fresh seasonal produce makes a great match for mozzarella. You can never go wrong with veggies like heirloom tomatoes, roasted sweet peppers, or even grilled zucchini. Just serve everything alongside a lightly toasted baguette and your choice of olive oil.

What should I eat with mozzarella? ›

8 Ways to Use Mozzarella
  • Potato croquettes. Upgrade your mozzarella sticks and mix mozzarella with herbed mashed potatoes; coat with bread crumbs and fry until crisp. ...
  • Risotto. How do you make a vegetable risotto more decadent? ...
  • Arancini. Yep, another way to fry mozzarella. ...
  • Frittata. ...
  • Enchiladas. ...
  • Cream sauce. ...
  • Arepas. ...
  • Timballo.
May 23, 2017

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