Christmas Tree Mozzarella and Tomato Salad
by Andrea WigginsLooking for a festive twist on a classic Tomato & Mozzarella Salad? This easy and delicious recipe transforms fresh mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, and vibrant basil into a show-stopping holiday centerpiece.
Let’s be real—holiday hosting is a lot. Between managing your kids’ excitement, navigating the endless to-do list, and trying not to burn the cookies you swore you’d make from scratch this year, adding one more “fancy” dish to your holiday table feels impossible. But you know what? Sometimes, simple is all you need.
That’s where this Christmas Tree Mozzarella and Tomato Salad comes in. It’s festive, it’s easy, and it’s impressive enough to make your guests say, “Oh wow, did you make that?” (Why yes, yes I did.) The best part? You don’t need a ton of time, ingredients, or energy to pull it off—three things I know we’re all running short on this time of year.
Whether you’re hosting a family dinner, taking a dish to a potluck, or just need something that looks really cute for your holiday table, this recipe has you covered. Plus, it’s one of those magical dishes that’s both beautiful and healthy, which balances out all the cookies, hot chocolate, and ahem extra slices of pie we’ve been indulging in lately.
Let’s get started, grab your mozzarella and some tomatoes, and let’s make this holiday magic happen!
Mozzarella and Tomato Salad: What You’ll Need
Here’s the short and sweet shopping list:
- 8 oz container of mozzarella balls
- Tomatoes (cherry tomatoes or larger ones you can slice)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic glaze
- Sea salt
- Fresh basil
That’s it. Six ingredients. You’ve got this!
Why This Salad Recipe Works
I’ll be honest this salad has saved me more than once. I’m a mom of three, which means most holiday prep looks like me running around in 15 different directions while my kids ask me for snacks approximately every three minutes. When you’re juggling all that, you need recipes that are:
- Quick: This comes together in about 20 minutes, start to finish.
- Kid-Friendly: My kids love helping with the molds and “decorating” the platter.
- Stress-Free: No complicated steps, no surprise mishaps. Just festive and fun.
- Actually Pretty: You’ll feel like you accomplished something Pinterest-worthy, even if the rest of the house looks like a holiday tornado hit.
Serving Ideas
This salad is a hit on its own, but it pairs perfectly with:
- Crusty bread or homemade crostinis
- Charcuterie boards (because, cheese and tomatoes—yes, please)
- Holiday soups or roasts
It’s also a great dish to bring to a potluck or family gathering. Bonus: It travels well, so you don’t have to worry about it falling apart en route.
For more ideas to side this salad, you can get some inspiration from our Festive Tomato Recipes for this holiday season and enjoy them with family and friends.
Christmas Tree Mozzarella & Tomato Salad
Equipment
- 1 Christmas Tree Silicon Tray
Ingredients
- 8 oz container of mozzarella balls
- 20 piece Cherry Tomatoes cherry tomatoes or larger ones you can slice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic glaze
- 1 Pinch Sea salt
- 6 leaves Fresh basil
Instructions
- Prep the Cheese: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grab your cutest Christmas-themed silicone molds (I used little tree shapes), pop them onto a baking sheet, and add a mozzarella ball to each one.
- Bake (Briefly!): Stick the molds in the oven for 8-10 minutes, until the mozzarella gets nice and melty. Keep an eye on them—you don’t want them to melt completely, just soften enough to mold into shape.
- Cool Down: Once the cheese comes out of the oven, gently blot any excess moisture with a paper towel (because no one likes soggy cheese). Then toss the molds into the fridge for about 10 minutes to let the mozzarella firm up.
- Slice the Tomatoes: While the cheese is cooling, slice your tomatoes. Cherry tomatoes are cute and easy, but if you’re using larger tomatoes, just slice them into rounds.
- Assemble the Magic: Now the fun part! Arrange your sliced tomatoes on a platter to create the “base” of your salad. Carefully pop the mozzarella out of the molds and place them on top in a festive pattern.
- Add the Finishing Touches: Drizzle the whole thing with olive oil and balsamic glaze, sprinkle a little sea salt, and top with fresh basil leaves.
