Denver Sunburst Tomato Caprese

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant heirloom tomato salad featuring Sunset Gold and Cherry Bomb varieties from City Floral's garden, paired with fresh basil and creamy mozzarella. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 15 minutes pairs medium Sunset Gold tomatoes, Cherry Bomb tomatoes, finely chopped Fresh basil leaves into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 3.6 (12 ratings) Prep: 15 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 220 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Slice Sunset Gold tomatoes into 1/2-inch thick rounds and arrange on a serving platter. Halve Cherry Bomb tomatoes and scatter over the platter.
  2. Step 2: Place mozzarella slices between tomato layers, then top with 2 tbsp chopped basil. Drizzle with 2 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp balsamic glaze, then season with salt and pepper.
  3. Step 3: Garnish with remaining basil and 1 tbsp balsamic glaze, drizzling in a zigzag pattern until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Denver Sunburst Tomato Caprese take to make?

Total time is about 15 minutes (15 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Denver Sunburst Tomato Caprese?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep medium sunset gold tomatoes from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Denver Sunburst Tomato Caprese?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Denver Sunburst Tomato Caprese for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Denver Sunburst Tomato Caprese?

Mediterranean salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying