Oven-Baked Caprese Delight with Balsamic Glaze

Ingredients

- 4 large tomatoes, sliced about 1/4 inch thick
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced about 1/4 inch thick
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 4 tablespoons balsamic reduction

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Prepare the Baking Sheet: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.

3. Assemble the Caprese Layers:
- Place one slice of tomato on the sheet.
- Add a basil leaf on top.
- Follow with a slice of mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat this process until all ingredients are used, ensuring to leave a small gap between each Caprese stack.

4. Season: In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, black pepper, and sugar. Gently drizzle this mixture over each Caprese stack, ensuring even coverage.

5. Bake: Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 15 minutes (PT15M), until the mozzarella is melting and slightly golden.

6. Finish with Balsamic Reduction: Remove from the oven and allow stacks to cool for about 5 minutes. Just before serving, drizzle each stack with balsamic reduction for added flavor and presentation.

Total Time

PT25M
25 minutes

Type of Dish

Lunch

Keywords

Caprese, Tomato, Mozzarella, Basil, Balsamic, Oven-Baked, Easy Lunch, Italian Recipe, Vegetarian, Gourmet

Recipe Yield

Feeds 4 adults

Calories

1050 calories total

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