Jul 14 2026
Restaurants›Romano's Macaroni Grill›Italian Pesto Caprese Recipe

Italian Pesto Caprese Recipe

Inspired by Romano's Macaroni Grill
Time30m
Serves4

Make Italian Pesto Caprese Recipe in just 30m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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Pesto Sauce

Caprese Salad

Method

Making the Pesto Sauce

  1. 1

    Prepare the Ingredients

    Rinse the fresh basil leaves under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel. Peel the garlic cloves.

  2. 2

    Blend the Pesto

    In a food processor, combine the fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, grated parmesan cheese, and garlic cloves. Pulse until the ingredients are finely chopped.

  3. 3

    Add Olive Oil

    While the food processor is running, slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil until the pesto reaches your desired consistency. You may need to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is well blended.

  4. 4

    Season the Pesto

    Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Blend again briefly to combine, then set aside.

Assembling the Caprese Salad

  1. 5

    Prepare the Tomatoes and Mozzarella

    Slice the fresh mozzarella cheese and ripe tomatoes into even slices. Aim for about 1/4 inch thickness.

  2. 6

    Layer the Salad

    On a serving platter, alternate layers of mozzarella slices and tomato slices, creating a visually appealing arrangement.

  3. 7

    Add the Pesto

    Spoon the freshly made pesto sauce generously over the layered mozzarella and tomatoes.

  4. 8

    Garnish and Serve

    Garnish the salad with fresh basil leaves and drizzle balsamic glaze over the top. Serve immediately.

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