Dip some crusty bread in this melty mozzarella, topped with tomato and basil—perfect for an afternoon snack or evening appetizer.
In my family, we have a philosophy: every Italian-American worth their salt knows how scrumptious mozzarella is for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. But, in my personal opinion, as an appetizer like this one, baked mozzarella works best. Fresh, fluffy mozz is melted together with freshly sliced cherry tomatoes and chopped basil. This Caprese-style combo is perfect for nearly any kind of bread or crackers. You could even dip in raw veggie sticks—a healthy alternative for anyone who wants to cut back on carbs without losing any crunch.
With all the colors of the Italian flag—green, white, and red—baked mozzarella shines like a beautiful beacon on the dining table. Whether you serve it just before dinner as an antipasto or around lunchtime for a game day snack, this cheesy dip is sure to please. It’s fragrant, elevated, and yet down-to-earth enough that both kids and adults can enjoy it.
However you choose to dish it out, baked mozzarella can take your kitchen from “personal” to “professional” in just 10 minutes! If your family is anything like mine, with a love for the fancy and fun, then they might just fall in love with this one.
Is Baked Mozzarella Healthy?
While it does have a decent amount of protein, baked mozzarella is also high in fat and sodium, so it might not be the healthiest option for everyone. If you need to lower the fat content, you can omit olive oil. For those with vegan diets or lactose intolerance, use plant-based mozzarella instead of traditional.
The Magic Of Mozzarella, Tomato, & Basil
Known as “Caprese” in Italian-American cuisine, the tasty trifecta of mozzarella, tomato, and basil shows up in all kinds of dishes. From pizza to pasta, this combo has become a favorite all around the world. Why? Because it’s got the perfect balance of savory, tangy, fresh, and fragrant flavors. The rich, buttery mozzarella is complemented nicely by the sweet “pop” of cherry tomato, and all of it is harmonized by the fragrant garlic and basil, plus a drizzle of smooth and earthy olive oil. With such a simple yet rich flavor profile, how could one not fall in love?
FAQs & Tips
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Let the baked mozzarella cool to room temperature, then cover it with plastic wrap. Refrigerate it like this for up to 4 days, or freeze it for up to 3 months. If you freeze it, make sure to thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating. When you’re ready to serve, take off the covering and bake it in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, until it’s warm all the way through. If you’d like it slightly browner on top, broil it again for 1-2 minutes.
Can I Prep This Ahead?
This recipe takes only 10 minutes to make, however, you can prep ahead by arranging the mozzarella, tomatoes, and garlic in the dish, then covering it with plastic wrap and refrigerating for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to bake, remove the plastic wrap and continue with steps 3 and 4.
Why Does Broiling Cook It So Fast?
On an oven, the “broil” option exists to cook food at a high temperature with direct heat so that it browns. Since this recipe requires the cheese to be melted quickly, this is the perfect method for doing so. The longer you broil it, the browner it will be. But be careful! I’ve learned the hard way that not keeping an eye on any dish while it broils can lead to burning.
Serving Suggestions
When my family makes baked mozzarella, we don’t just serve it with one kind of bread; we dish it out with an array of handheld treats that guests can grab at their leisure. This selection usually includes Garlic Toast, Gluten-Free Crackers, toasted Potato Rolls, or Air-Fryer Tater Tots. If you’d like, you can make it a whole antipasto spread by serving these snacks with Italian Salad, Arancini, and Pizza Dip. Overall, baked mozzarella presents the perfect creative challenge. What else can we dunk in or dish out that could make it even more delicious?
Ingredients
- Extra virgin olive oil for greasing and drizzling
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella sliced
- 10 cherry tomatoes halved
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- Fresh basil chopped (for garnish)
- Crusty bread for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your oven broiler.
- Lightly grease a small ovenproof dish with extra virgin olive oil. Alternately layer the mozzarella slices and halved cherry tomatoes in the dish, then sprinkle with minced garlic.
- Drizzle a bit more olive oil over the top.
- Place the dish on the middle rack under the broiler. Broil for 4-7 minutes until the mozzarella melts and turns bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and serve hot, garnished with fresh basil on top and crusty bread for dipping.
Nutrition Info:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
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