The Zucchini Caprese Bake That Tastes Exactly Like a Summer Trip to Italy
Layers of tender grilled zucchini, juicy tomatoes, and melty mozzarella baked into a bubbly, warm masterpiece.
This easy baked skillet is a total dream for anyone who loves a classic Caprese salad but wants something warm and comforting for dinner. It packs all those fresh, breezy Mediterranean flavors into a light and bubbly dish that goes from your kitchen counter to the table in under 30 minutes.
Here’s what you need: 2 medium young zucchinis, 2 large tomatoes, 7 ounces of fresh mozzarella cheese, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and a handful of fresh basil leaves, plus salt and black pepper to taste.
To start, slice your zucchinis into thick, one-inch rounds. Pop them onto a hot grill pan or a dry skillet over medium-high heat for just a few minutes, turning them once until they get those gorgeous, smoky char marks on both sides. While the zucchini cools slightly, slice your tomatoes and mozzarella into matching uniform rounds.
Next, grab your favorite baking dish and layer the ingredients in a beautiful, overlapping accordion pattern, alternating between a zucchini slice, a tomato slice, and a piece of mozzarella. Drizzle the whole dish with the olive oil and season generously with salt and black pepper. Bake at 350°F (180°C) for about 15 to 20 minutes until the tomatoes are tender and the cheese is completely melted and bubbly. Scatter a handful of torn fresh basil leaves right over the top and serve it sizzling hot straight out of the baking dish.
