Last Updated on April 14, 2026 by Deliciously Organic
I love using fresh herbs to make caprese salad with basil pesto.
Plants don’t really grow for me. I’m not a great gardener. I wish I was. Moving around every couple of years doesn’t help because once I finally figure out what grows in that specific region, we pick up and move. One thing I do grow, despite my black thumb, is herbs. I have a few pots and each year in early summer I plant basil, oregano, thyme, parsley, mint, and cilantro. Each little plant costs about $2 (the same price I’d pay in the store for a few sprigs) and I have herbs for about six months out of the year. If you use herbs often in your cooking, growing your own can save you quite a bit of money at the grocery store.
One of my favorite things to make with fresh herbs is pesto. Basil is the most popular, but I like to change it up with chard, kale, olives, broccoli, and sun-dried tomatoes. I like to get creative for summer picnics by bringing “salad in a jar.” Pair this light, flavorful salad with some fruit, cured meat, and something bubbly and you’ve got a recipe for an enjoyable time with nature, even if you can’t grow your own garden.
For some gardening help, check out this excellent post:
How to Grow Your Own Indoor Culinary Herb Garden by Gourmande in the Kitchen
Caprese Salad with Basil Pesto
You can also make this salad in a large bowl instead of individual jars.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
For the Pesto:
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, washed and patted dry
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- 1/2 cup Pecorino Romano cheese, grated
- 1 clove garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
For Salad:
- 8 ounces penne pasta (whole wheat or rice pasta), cooked, drained and cooled
- 16 cherry tomatoes, cut in half
- 1/2 cup mozzarella, cubed
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Place the basil, walnut, cheese, garlic and sea salt in the bowl of a food processor or blender. Process until smooth. With processor on, slowly add olive oil. Adjust salt to taste.
- Divide pasta, tomatoes, mozzarella and olive oil into 4 bowls or jars. Divide pesto evenly among jars. Shake or toss salad before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Serves 4
Fun twist to serve up salad in a jar. As far as green thumb(s) not me either 😉
I would pack a salad in a jar for lunch everyday! It’s so easy. I’ll certainly work on that. Inspiring post!
Such a great salad for picnics and putting it in a jar is the perfect way to transport it!
This is coming with us to the Hollywood Bowl on Friday night for the Grease sing-a-long! Genius! I like to use pine nuts instead of walnuts in my pesto but will give this a try.
A Grease sing-a-long!? Oh, if we weren’t out-of-town I’d totally go to that. Have fun!!
Nothing says summer better than pesto on everything!! This is such an incredibly adorable idea. Wish I could pull this off for Eli’s bar mitzvah – however 275 jars – seems a bit extravagant! x
Haha…Yes, all those jars might be a bit much! 🙂 How much would that even cost? I don’t want to know. . .
Yum! This is a fantastic idea. Your basil looks perfect. Great recipe!
This looks amazing! I love Caprese salad! Thanks for sharing your recipe 🙂
love these cute little caprese salads! I think a beach picnic with these is in order soon!
Beautiful looking herbs! And a delicious salad…caprese one of life’s simple pleasures, a favourite of mine.
I would love to pack a lunch for myself this way, it looks so inspiring. Way better than plastic. And beautiful too. Thanks for such a great idea!
Love this idea! I have basil growing in a pot on my deck and can’t wait to make these for my next cookout! Where did you find the wooden forks and jars?
I got the jars at Sur La Table and the forks at Whole Foods.
I’m going to a BBQ this weekend and this one is coming along for the ride. Awesome! You’re so creative!
Such a gorgeous, garden fresh recipe!
How delicious that sounds! I’d be omitting the pasta for something gluten free… hmm what to use?
Basil is my favorite! Cannot wait to try this!