Juicy herb-roasted cherry tomatoes and tons of other caprese goodness star in this secretly-healthy cauliflower rice caprese salad.—This easy summer salad is SO good with grilled chicken or fish!
Ermmm…so I might have a mild obsession with caprese salad anything and ALL the things currently, guys.
Pardon the influx of salad recipes popping up day after day on the blog too. A girl can have multiple summer obsessions.
Also while we’re on the subject. See new obsession —> —> sweet bursting cherry tomatoes. Holy baloney….
On a bed of fluffy cauliflower rice. With an abundance of fresh mozzarella and basil. Ohhh yes I did, y’all…
Salad season has been in full swing for awhile now in case you’re late to the game. I’m only following the rules. ??
So let’s talk. About salad days, what else?
This caprese salad is pretty much the PERFECT balance of healthy and indulgent. The cauli rice obviously keeps the calorie count SUPER-low which is a plus, but c’mon. Cheese is a must in any and all salads. Don’t even get me started on those cherry tomatoes.
Okay, I’ll spill. I totally ate them straight off the baking sheet as though they were candy. We couldn’t be separated and now the two of us are the best of friends.
Guess what else?? There’s no need to even make a dressing for this salad because the tomatoes are so flavorful. As the tomatoes roast and burst their sweet deliciousness all over the place little remnants of olive oil, herbs, and tomato juices will collect at the bottom of the pan. Don’t even THINK about throwing this liquid gold out.
Dump it straight into the cauli rice with a little balsamic vinegar to give the flavors an unmistakeable TWANG.
And then came cheese. The whole kit and kaboodle of fresh mozz because only tons will do. ♥
A handful of fresh basil…and I think we’re ready to go live in caprese salad land for the rest of the foreseeable summer.
If you need me…you know where I’ll be. ??
Bursting Tomato Caprese Cauliflower Rice Salad
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Ingredients
- 1 medium head of cauliflower coarsely chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 2 cups fresh cherry tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh basil
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh oregano
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- Additional fresh basil for topping
Instructions
- Place cauliflower florets in a food processor and pulse until cauliflower is the consistency of rice. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add cauliflower to pan and saute 4-5 minutes until cauliflower is just softened. Transfer to a large bowl and chill.
- In a small bowl, combine cherry tomatoes, remaining olive oil, basil, oregano, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste. Spread on a baking sheet and roast tomatoes at 400F 15-20 minutes until tomatoes are soft and bursting.
- Add tomatoes, any tomato juices at the bottom of roasting pan, mozzarella, and balsamic to cauliflower rice. Season salad with salt and pepper to taste and garnish with additional basil. Chill salad until ready to serve. Enjoy!
Nutrition
This ain’t my first rodeo with cauli rice! Try it in FRIED RICE form next!!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
This is such a gorgeous salad, Sarah! All of my favorite flavors combined into one is perfection! I’m in love with those gorgeous tomatoes and cheese. So perfect for summer!
Sarah says
Thank you Gayle!! It’s seriously my new fav summer salad!
Layla Atik says
YUM! This salad is perfect for the hot summer days!
Sarah says
Totally perfect for those lazy hot summer days!
Jen | Baked by an Introvert says
This salad is calling my name! It’s so pretty and sounds perfect for the weather we’ve been having lately.
Sarah says
It’s been so hot here too I’ve practically been living on this salad!
Danielle says
Oh my goodness, this is like the perfect summer salad! I love caprese anything, so I could easily devour that entire bowl 😉
Sarah says
I could seriously live on ANYTHING with caprese in the title!
Rachel @ Bakerita says
OMG stooop. As per usual, I’m totally drooling by the end of the post. Like you, I’m totally Caprese obsessssed and I want a big bowl of this for dinner.
Sarah says
Caprese is seriously the BOMB.com right?? Can’t get enough. 😉
Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says
OH MAN I love this! What a perfect summer main meal!!
Sarah says
Thanks so much Alyssa!! xoxo
marcie says
I always have a salad and caprese obsession, so this works for me! This is so pretty with those gorgeous tomatoes! I will have cherry tomatoes coming out my ears soon in my garden so I’ll be roasting them quite often!
Sarah says
Aren’t roasted cherry tomatoes the BEST thing ever?? Seriously obsessed!
Elizabeth @ Confessions of a Baking Queen says
Wow this looks amazing. Literally right up my alley. Can’t wait to give it a go.
Sarah says
Thanks Elizabeth! LMK if you give this salad a try!
Izzy @ She Likes Food says
I’m pretty sure there would be something wrong with you if you weren’t obsessed with caprese, haha! the flavors are so good together! This salad is so gorgeous, Sarah!! I just want to dig right in and eat all those delicious cherry tomatoes 🙂
Sarah says
Haha right?? Who doesn’t love caprese?? Thanks Izzy!