Name: Baked Caprese Crostini with Pesto
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 24 crostini
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 24 ounces grape tomatoes; 4 large cloves garlic; 0.25 cup good-quality olive oil; 6 sprigs fresh thyme; 4 sprigs fresh oregano; Kosher salt and black pepper; 24 crostini; 0.5 cup lemon pesto; 8 ounces fresh mozzarella ball; 0.25 cup fresh basil; balsamic glaze

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Baked Caprese Crostini with Pesto

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Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

Instructions

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Roasted Tomatoes

Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C).

Spread the cherry or grape tomatoes on a sheet pan. Scatter the garlic cloves, thyme sprigs, and oregano sprigs around the tomatoes. Drizzle with the olive oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Toss with a wood spoon until the tomatoes are well-coated.

Roast for 35-40 minutes, until the tomatoes burst and are caramelized on the edges. Let the tomato mixture cool for a few minutes and then discard the garlic, thyme sprigs, and oregano sprigs.

Caprese Crostini

Set the broiler to HIGH. Line the crostini on a sheet pan.

Top each crostini with a slice of mozzarella. Broil the crostini until the cheese is melty, about 2-3 minutes.

Spread each toast with about 1 teaspoon of pesto and top with 2-3 tomatoes. Sprinkle the crostini with the fresh basil and finish with a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Enjoy!

Nutrition

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Pat Tomatoes Dry Before Roasting 🍅
Thoroughly dry your grape tomatoes with paper towels before roasting to remove excess moisture, ensuring they concentrate their flavors and achieve a caramelized exterior rather than steaming.
Toast Crostini Twice for Maximum Crunch 🥖
Bake your crostini first until golden, then add toppings and bake again briefly—this dual-bake method keeps them crispy instead of becoming soggy from the warm tomatoes and mozzarella.
Temperature Time Your Mozzarella Addition ⏱️
Add fresh mozzarella in the final 2-3 minutes of baking so it softens slightly without becoming fully melted, maintaining its creamy texture and delicate flavor.
Infuse Your Olive Oil with Garlic 🧄
Gently warm your premium olive oil with sliced garlic for 2-3 minutes before drizzling on tomatoes to extract deep garlic flavor that elevates the entire dish without overpowering other ingredients.
Reserve Fresh Basil for Final Garnish 🌿
Keep some fresh basil leaves uncooked and add them after baking to preserve their bright, peppery notes—the pesto provides cooked herb depth while fresh basil adds vibrant finishing flavor.