Fresh Heirloom Tomato Caprese Stacks Recipe Easy Homemade Pesto Drizzle
A quick and easy summer appetizer featuring stacked heirloom tomato slices, fresh mozzarella, basil leaves, and a vibrant pesto drizzle, perfect for casual gatherings or a light snack.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 large heirloom tomatoes, assorted colors (red, yellow, green), sliced into ½-inch rounds
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced into rounds
- A handful of fresh basil leaves, whole
- ½ cup pesto (homemade or high-quality store-bought)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Balsamic glaze (optional), a few drops
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Wash the heirloom tomatoes and pat dry. Slice each tomato into ½-inch thick rounds.
- Slice the mozzarella into ½-inch thick rounds, keeping slices uniform for easy stacking.
- Rinse basil leaves gently and pat dry. Leave whole or tear larger leaves into bite-sized pieces if preferred.
- On a serving plate, place a tomato slice as the base. Top with a slice of mozzarella, then a basil leaf. Repeat to form 2-3 layers, finishing with a basil leaf on top. Press gently if needed to keep stacks steady.
- Spoon pesto over each stack, allowing it to trickle down the sides.
- Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the stacks to add gloss and richness.
- Add a few drops of balsamic glaze if using.
- Sprinkle salt and freshly ground black pepper over the stacks just before serving.
Notes
Pat tomato slices dry before assembling to avoid sogginess. Add salt just before serving to keep stacks fresh. Use a serrated knife for clean tomato slices. Assemble and dress stacks last minute for best results. Vegan and nut-free pesto alternatives can be used.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stack
- Calories: 235
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 10
Keywords: heirloom tomato, Caprese, pesto drizzle, fresh mozzarella, basil, summer appetizer, easy recipe, vegetarian, gluten-free