Easy Baked Caprese Strudel
Easy Baked Caprese Strudel made with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella and spices, so good. Your new summer appetizer or main dish.
Here we are in an Italian Heat Wave and I’m still turning on the oven! Crazy I know, but this Caprese Strudel is so worth it. A few weeks ago when I made my Hot Caprese Pasta, I mentioned to the Italian that I loved a warm Caprese, with melty cheese.
“I should do something else with this combination” and thanks to him and I guess an Italians’ love for Puff Pastry, his idea was “Make a Strudel”. So a Strudel it is.
How to make it
In a medium frying pan add the oil, onion and garlic, cook until onion is transparent. Add the tomatoes, salt, oregano and dried basil, simmer until soft and lightly browned. Remove from the heat.
Roll the puff pastry a couple of time with a rolling pin. Spread the tomato mixture evenly down the middle, top with shredded cheese and some fresh basil leaves.
Make slits in the sides of the dough until you reach the filling. Criss cross cut slits over the mixture. Place on prepared cookie sheet. Brush the top of pastry with an egg wash.
Bake until the pastry is golden and baked. Let sit 5 minutes before cutting, top with fresh basil leaves, cut and serve. I used a store bought Puff Pastry but my fast and easy Homemade Puff Pastry would work too, if you are feeling motivated.
When is Puff Pastry baked?
The Puff Pastry is cooked when it’s golden and puffed and not wet or doughy. Be sure to check underneath the strudel, it should be browned also.
What is the best temperature for baking?
I like to bake puff pastry at 375-400. I wouldn’t go higher than that. You should get the best puff at these temperatures.
How to store it
Cover the leftover strudel loosely with plastic wrap or foil. It will keep in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. It can be re-heated in a low oven before serving.
The strudel can also be frozen before baking. Wrap it in plastic wrap and place on a cookie sheet, place it in the freezer for a few hours or until firm and frozen. Then place the wrapped strudel in an airtight freezer safe container or bag and place again in the freezer. It will keep for up to 2-3 weeks. Bake it straight from the freezer, although it will need a bit more time baking.
I can’t even tell you if it’s good cold because this Caprese Strudel never had time to get cold not even room temperature. Buon Appetito!
Some more delicious Strudel Recipes you may enjoy!
Easy Baked Caprese Strudel
Ingredients
- 1 roll Puff Pastry (if frozen, thaw)
- 1/2 onion (chopped)
- 1-2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2-3 medium to large ripe firm tomatoes (chopped & seeded)
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1/4-1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon basil
- 10 fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup firm mozzarella shredded (more if desired) (56 grams)
- 1 beaten egg
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 375°F (190°C), lightly grease a cookie sheet.
- In a medium frying pan on medium heat, add the oil, onion and garlic cook until onion is transparent then add the tomatoes, salt, oregano and dried basil, simmer until soft and lightly browned. Remove from heat.
- Roll puff pastry a couple of time with a rolling pin. Spread the tomato mixture evenly down the middle, top with shredded cheese and some fresh basil leaves.
- Make slits on the sides of the dough until you reach the filling (see video). Criss cross cut slits over mixture. Place on prepared cookie sheet.
- In a small bowl beat together 1 egg and 1 tablespoon of water, brush top of pastry with mixture. Bake for approximately 20 - 25 minutes (until pastry is golden and baked, carefully check under the strudel to make sure it is also golden brown). Let sit 5 minutes before cutting, top with fresh basil leaves, cut and serve. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Updated from June 19, 2017.
Oh my goodness. I just got back from Florence and Rome in May and I wanted to make some Italian recipes. This was so easy to do and absolutely delicious. I will keep this recipe as a favorite especially when I don’t know what to do with a surplus of tomatoes. Thank you
Hi Kathy, thanks glad you enjoyed your stay in Italy. I hope you enjoy it. Take care!
I just found your website and printed out the baked caprese and the zucchini patties. Tonight I made two of the baked Caprese. I gave one to my neighbor who has two 20 something young sons. They all loved it! I told them the patties were tomorrow night
Thanks Rosemary for you recipes…just in time with my basil and zucchini going crazy now in the garden..
Hi Carol, thanks so much, so glad you found the site also and you and your neighbour enjoyed the caprese, I hope the patties also. Take care!
Sounds yummy and I will try it soon. My question is, do I use the entire amount of puff pastry ?? I’m not sure what a “roll” means exactly. When I buy it, it comes in a box of “sheets”. Do I use ALL of the “sheets” ?
I hope this isn’t a stupid question, but I honestly don’t know.
Thank you.
Hi Nancy, it all depends on how big the sheet is, usually it is rolled out thin, mine measures about 9 x 12 inches. A bit bigger will be fine. Let me know. Take care!
Are you sure you are not thinking of phyllo dough? When you say all the sheets that is what comes to my mind. Puff Pastry usually come with 2 pieces folded in the box
This was a huge hit at brunch. I was intrigued by the recipe and even though I didn’t have puff pastry, I made it with canned crescent dough. That was the only substitution. It cooked beautifully and it was delicious with tomatoes and garlic from the garden. I’m asked to make it every time. Thank you.
Hi Lily, thanks so much, glad you enjoyed. Good idea with the canned crescent dough. Have a great weekend.
These sound super yummy & easy to make. I plan to add some sliced mushrooms as Joan did. I’m also impressed with the Nutritional Info. Healthy, delicious, & definitely my kind of recipe. I’m ready to mangia.
Hi Angelina, thanks so much, yes adding mushrooms is a good idea. Let me know how it goes.
I added some shredded leftover BBQ Chicken to the diced tomatoes and it was delicious and fancy enough for Guests with a Good Glass of Chardonnay Wine
Hi Sonia, thanks sounds delicious. and you can’t beat a good glass of wine! Have a great weekend.
Rosemary, I’ve made this about 4 times now – delicious and easy! Would never have attempted this except for your recipe encouragement! For fun I added sliced mushrooms and increased the oregano to maintain flavor – heavenly! Because I had so much tomato juice from garden tomatoes I deglazed/reduced the juices which made for sort of a sauce. So good and so many thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe
Hi Joan, thanks so much, so glad you like it. And great idea with the mushrooms and the sauce. My sister always says if I can’t add oregano I wouldn’t be able to cook! Love the stuff. Have a great weekend.
This looks amazing! I’ve just read the recipe and I know this is exactly my kind of food. Can’t wait to try it!
Hi Delores, thanks I hope you enjoy it.
YUM!!! I just printed your puff pastry recipe and definitely will be either making the strudel or cheese sticks. Hope you’re enjoying your summer. Thank you.
Thanks Ann, I hope you enjoy it. Have a great week.