Easy Heart-Shaped Caprese Salad Recipe Perfect for Romantic Meals
A simple and charming Caprese salad arranged in a heart shape, perfect for romantic dinners or elegant starters. Combines fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil with a balsamic glaze for a delicious and visually appealing dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 medium ripe Roma or vine-ripened tomatoes, sliced about 1/4 inch thick
- 8 oz (225g) ball of fresh mozzarella, sliced into 1/4 inch rounds
- About 20 fresh basil leaves, washed and patted dry
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze
- Sea salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Optional: Thinly sliced prosciutto or a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Slice the tomatoes and mozzarella into even 1/4 inch rounds (about 6-8 slices each).
- Lay a heart-shaped cookie cutter on your serving platter. Alternate layering tomato slice, mozzarella slice, and basil leaf inside the cutter, overlapping slightly.
- Gently lift the cookie cutter away, leaving the layered heart intact. Nudge pieces back if they shift.
- Sprinkle flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper evenly over the salad.
- Drizzle 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil over the salad, followed by 1 tablespoon of balsamic glaze.
- Scatter a few extra basil leaves around the plate for garnish. Optionally add thin slices of prosciutto or crushed red pepper flakes.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the fresh flavors and texture.
Notes
Use room temperature mozzarella for best flavor. Pat basil leaves dry to avoid sogginess. Drizzle olive oil and balsamic glaze sparingly to avoid overpowering the salad. If no cookie cutter is available, arrange slices freehand or use a small plate as a guide. For vegan version, substitute vegan mozzarella and dairy-free balsamic glaze.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/4 of the sal
- Calories: 220
- Fat: 16
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Fiber: 1.5
- Protein: 12
Keywords: Caprese salad, heart-shaped salad, romantic meal, fresh basil, mozzarella, tomatoes, balsamic glaze, easy salad recipe