Roasted Veggie Caprese Salad (Print Version)

Colorful roasted vegetables combined with mozzarella pearls and balsamic for a fresh, tasty dish.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
02 - 1 red bell pepper, chopped
03 - 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
04 - 1 small red onion, cut into wedges
05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
07 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Cheese

09 - 1 cup mozzarella pearls (bocconcini)

→ Dressing

10 - 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze
11 - 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
12 - 1 teaspoon honey, optional

→ Garnish

13 - 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
14 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, combine zucchini, bell peppers, red onion, and cherry tomatoes. Add olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Toss until all vegetables are evenly coated.
03 - Spread vegetables in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring halfway through, until tender and lightly caramelized. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly.
04 - Transfer roasted vegetables to a serving platter or large bowl. Gently fold in mozzarella pearls.
05 - Drizzle balsamic glaze and extra-virgin olive oil over the vegetable and cheese mixture. Add honey if a sweeter flavor is desired; toss lightly to combine.
06 - Top with torn basil leaves and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • The vegetables actually taste like themselves, only better and sweeter after time in the oven.
  • It comes together in under an hour and looks like you spent way more effort than you did.
  • Warm or cold, it works for lunch, dinner, or bringing to someone's house when you're not sure what to contribute.
02 -
  • Don't crowd the baking sheet—vegetables need space to roast, not steam. I learned this after making a soggy batch that tasted more boiled than caramelized.
  • Room-temperature mozzarella pearls are essential; warm ones will melt into clumps instead of staying tender and distinct.
03 -
  • If your balsamic glaze is thick and syrupy, warm it slightly so it drizzles more easily and coats the vegetables evenly.
  • Tear the basil just before serving—pre-torn basil oxidizes and turns black, which tastes more bitter than you want.
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