Enjoy the flavors of Italy with this simple to make Roasted Tomato Caprese Mason Jar Salad. The salad can be made in under 15 minutes from start to finish and with only four ingredients.
And did you know that a mason jar salad can last in the refrigerator for up to four days? I love keeping a few of these on hand for a healthy lunch on-the-go, or quick and easy dinner.
Growing up, it was one of my parents’ desires to expose my brother and me to many different places and cultures as a way to shape our character and learn to appreciate what we’ve been given in life.
Some of these trips were humanitarian and/or mission-based and others were more for leisure. No matter what type of trip it was, the memories that were created and experiences shared during these times are invaluable.
Looking back on all of the trips taken, there is one that stands out in my mind among all of the rest. It was our trip to Europe. I was a sophomore in high school and we were traveling with family friends which made it even that much more fun!
This trip is probably one of the most memorable because this was a time when I was really into scrapbooking and so I wrote down every quote and noteworthy moment shared on this trip to document for later. And trust me, there were lots of them!
It was also around the time that I was learning to appreciate the culinary art, simple flavors and wholesome foods. There are a lot of parts of vacations that I don’t always remember, but I always seem to remember the cuisine and foods that we indulged in.
I’ll never forget the daily trips to the gelato store, the plates of freshly made pasta, the first time I had tried a zucchini blossom (so good!) and wine tasting at the dinner table. After all, I was of legal age in Italy.
There are three common ingredients that you find in many Italian dishes and that is: tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil. Put those three things together and you’ve got yourself a caprese salad – an Italian classic.
When it comes to bringing the flavors from my travels into my kitchen, I love to find simple ways to put my own twist on the classic ingredients.
Mason jar salads have become a staple in my week when it comes to meal prepping because they are easy to assemble and they last for days. So, I thought I would kick the caprese salad up a notch by adding blistered tomatoes that have roasted in the oven, spinach, and a tangy balsamic vinaigrette.
I my opinion, it doesn’t get much better than this. Now, who wants to take their taste buds on a culinary trip to Italy with me?
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Roasted Tomato Caprese Mason Jar Salad
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Enjoy the flavors of Italy with this simple to make Roasted Tomato Caprese Mason Jar Salad. The salad can be made in under 15 minutes from start to finish and with only four ingredients.
Ingredients
- 2 cups grape tomatoes
- 1 cup fresh mozzarella, cubed
- 1/2 cup basil, chopped
- 4 cups spinach
Balsamic Dressing:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup balsamic vinaigrette
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 garlic, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Place the grape tomatoes on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Roast in the oven for 5-10 minutes, or just until the skin is beginning to burst. When done, set aside to cool about 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make the dressing. Add all of the ingredients in a bowl and whisk to combine. Set aside.
- To assemble the mason jar salad, add 3 Tablespoons dressing to the bottom and then layer from bottom to top in this order: 1/2 cup roasted tomatoes, 2 Tablespoons chopped basil, 1/4 cup cubed mozzarella and 1 cup spinach. Screw the lid on and store in the refrigerator for up for 4 days!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salad
- Calories: 309
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 732mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 22mg
Keywords: caprese salad, lunch, mason jar salad, meal prep, roasted tomatoes, vegetarian
What is your most memorable vacation? Have you been inspired by your travels in the kitchen recently? Share with me in the comments below.
Did you make this recipe? Be sure to tag me on Instagram – I love seeing how everyone uses these recipes.
58 Responses
This looks delicious! I love a great mason jar salad great for taking on trips!
That’s such a great idea, Samantha!
Ahh, this looks delicious! I need to go get some tomatoes and unearth my balsamic vinegar! <3
Yes!! Do it 🙂
Yum! Love caprese salad but never though to store in a mason jar – neat idea!
It makes for a quick and easy meal on the go!
This is SUCH a good idea! Just had a meal like this yesterday but this is much cooler!
xo, Amanda
Haha thanks Amanda! Hope you give it a try!
Happy Birthday!!!! 😉
Thanks Rebecca! You da best 🙂
Yum! I know what I’m making for lunches next week!
Whoohoo! Hope you love them!
Yummm you had me at mozzarella. Why do I never think to make something like this? Definitely pinning for later 🙂
Thanks for the pin love, Leanna!
This looks delicious and so simple. It’s a great lunch idea and so easy to throw together for work.
So true, Krystal!
The fresh roasted tomatoes look amazing even all by themselves! And that trip to Europe sounds incredible. What’s better than fresh pasta and daily gelato?! Sounds like my perfect menu 🙂
I know, right? The trip was heavenly!
Yum, the salad jars look delicious.
Thanks, Jenn!
looks so yummy, ready to stick a jar in my purse!
Hahaha, yes!!
Pinned this!! It looks amazing! I was making mason jar salads for a while and got bored…this will surely kick me out of my slump!
Thanks for the pin love Jacki! Hope you love them 🙂
I’m obsessed with grape tomatoes in my salad, but I’ve never tried roasted tomatoes. Should be quite refreshing with the cheese.
Oh, it’s so yummy – hope you give it a try!
Yum! I love this! And it looks so cute too 🙂 Any other benefits to convince me to eat a salad 😛 Lol
Thanks Hannah! Hope you give it a try!
I’ve resisted the jars and the salads because I’ve convinced myself it would all end up soggy. I can’t stand soggy. You may just have convinced me otherwise!!
NOOOOO it won’t be soggy. I promise!!
This salad looks so yummy. All my favorites and so easy to take with me. We even have cherry tomatoes in our garden to use.
Perfect! Hope you give it a try, Carolyn!
Caprese salad is my favorite but I never though of it as portable. Great idea and looks so beautiful!
Thank you Mona!
That looks so delicious!! I want that for lunch! I love the photography too!
Thanks Esther!!
I am Italian and love caprese. I have had it many ways but never like this. Great idea!
Thanks, Carrie! Hope you give it a try.
As an italian, anything with the holy trinity (tomatoes, basil and mozzerella) I’m all for. I especially love roasting the tomatoes, a great twist to the classic. And who doesn’t love mason jars?!
I know, right? I hope you give it a try, Anita!
I love that the tomatoes are roasted. This looks super good and all ingredients are definitely some of my favorite!
Thanks Chrissy! Roasted tomatoes are the best 🙂
This sounds so good! I should make this for hubs to take to work!
I’m sure he would love it!
Such a cute idea for a dinner party! Love Caprese salads!
That is such a good idea, Lauren!
I’m loving all of your salad in a jar recipes and this one has to be my favorite. I love mozzarella! 🙂