Tomato's Best Friend: Cheeses That Pair Perfectly

Tomatoes and cheese are a classic combination, and for good reason. The sweet acidity of tomatoes pairs perfectly with the richness of cheese, creating a flavour profile that is hard to beat. While there are countless combinations to try, some of the most popular cheeses to pair with tomatoes include mozzarella, burrata, ricotta, goat cheese, and Parmesan. Whether you're making a simple caprese salad or getting creative with grilled cheese sandwiches, these cheeses will surely enhance the taste of your tomatoes.

Mozzarella, basil and tomatoes

Mozzarella, basil, and tomatoes are a classic combination in a Caprese salad, which is a traditional Italian dish named after the island of Capri. This simple dish consists of thick slices of fresh tomato and mozzarella, flavoured with basil leaves, olive oil, salt, and pepper. It is often drizzled with a balsamic reduction or glaze, though this is not traditional.

For a Caprese salad, it is important to use fresh, soft, and spongey mozzarella cheese, rather than harder blocks of the cheese. The tomatoes should be ripe, and a range of varieties can be used, including heirloom, cherry, or grape. The basil should also be fresh, and the leaves can be left whole or ripped gently by hand, rather than cut with a knife. A good-quality extra virgin olive oil is recommended, and a serrated knife will help to achieve a clean cut for the cheese and tomatoes.

This salad can be served as a starter, side dish, or light meal with crusty bread. It is best served fresh but can be stored in the fridge for up to a couple of days. For a heartier meal, it can be served with grilled steak, chicken, or shrimp skewers.

Mozzarella, basil, and tomatoes can also be combined in a sandwich, on a pizza, or in a panzanella salad.

Ricotta and tomatoes

Ricotta is a soft, slightly sweet cheese that pairs beautifully with tomatoes. Its milky, fresh flavour and creamy texture make it an ideal complement to the bright acidity and sweetness of tomatoes.

A simple way to enjoy ricotta and tomatoes is to grill the tomatoes, then pile them on top of the ricotta, and sprinkle with fresh herbs. You can also add a drizzle of balsamic glaze and serve with slices of toasted baguette. This dish works well as a summer appetiser or side dish.

For a heartier meal, you can make a tomato ricotta pasta. This dish combines passata, basil, and fresh ricotta to create a creamy, luscious sauce. The ricotta adds depth and creaminess to the sauce, resulting in a rich and complex flavour. This dish is easy to prepare and can be customised to your liking, with the option to add parmesan cheese or other ingredients.

Another option is to create a caprese salad, which typically features fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and a simple dressing. However, you can substitute the mozzarella with ricotta to enjoy its sweet and creamy flavour. This salad is a classic Italian dish that is quick and easy to prepare, making it a perfect choice for a summer meal or appetiser.

Goat's cheese and tomatoes

Goats Cheese and Tomatoes

Overview

Recipes

There are numerous recipes that incorporate goat's cheese and tomatoes, here are a few examples:

• Tomato, Peach, Chèvre, and Herb Salad with Apple Vinaigrette: This refreshing salad combines the sweetness of tomatoes and peaches with the tanginess of goat cheese (chèvre) and fresh herbs. It is dressed with a zesty apple vinaigrette, creating a perfect summer dish.
• Warm Potato Tarte Tatin with Goat Cheese: This savoury tarte tatin features freshly dug new potatoes, ripe cherry tomatoes, and creamy goat's cheese. It's a hearty and indulgent dish that's perfect for summer gatherings.
• Goat's Cheese-Stuffed Tomatoes: A delicious bite-sized canapé, these cherry tomatoes are stuffed with a creamy mixture of goat's cheese, single cream, toasted pine nuts, and basil. They make for an elegant and tasty appetizer.
• Oven-Roasted Tomatoes and Goat's Cheese on Toast: This indulgent brunch dish features ripe plum tomatoes roasted with thyme and drizzled with olive oil, topped with crumbled goat's cheese and served on charred sourdough toast. The juices from the roasted tomatoes moisten the bread, creating a flavourful and satisfying bite.
• Golden Goat's Cheese Tomatoes: This versatile dish combines baked tomatoes stuffed with crème fraîche and goat's cheese, served with crusty bread and a green salad. It pairs well with various meals, including pasta, couscous, rice, and even barbeques.

Wine Pairing

In addition to their culinary versatility, goat's cheese and tomatoes also pair wonderfully with wine. The creamy texture and lactic sweetness of fresh goat's cheese can enhance the flavours of a crisp white wine or a light-bodied red.

Feta and tomatoes

For this dish, you'll want to use Greek feta, which is the original feta, just as Parmesan is Italian. In Europe, it is illegal to sell feta that is not made in Greece, but in other parts of the world, any white cheese can be labelled as feta. If you can't get your hands on Greek feta, opt for sheep's milk feta as it has a better flavour and texture than cow's milk feta, which tends to be crumblier and more sour.

You can bake feta and tomatoes in the oven, drizzled with olive oil, and serve with crusty bread, pita chips, or crackers. You can also add herbs like oregano, black pepper, and mint or basil, which pairs perfectly with feta. If you want to make a heartier meal, you can add pasta to the dish. Use small pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or orecchiette, and boil it while the feta and tomatoes are baking. Once the feta and tomatoes are done baking, smash them up and mix in the pasta.

Another option is to make a Greek salad with feta and tomatoes. Combine ripe tomatoes, crisp romaine, cucumber, red onions, and feta, and dress it with oil and vinegar. Serve with pita bread.

Cream cheese and tomatoes

Cream cheese is a mild cheese that serves as a cool, creamy base for tomatoes to shine. It is a great pairing for a simple sandwich or a more complex turnover or strata.

Cream Cheese Pasta Bake

A popular recipe for cream cheese and tomatoes is a pasta bake. This recipe involves oven-roasting a block of cream cheese with cherry tomatoes and other basic ingredients to create a creamy, flavourful sauce. The full-fat variety is recommended, but reduced-fat cream cheese will also work. The cream cheese is baked until golden and then stirred to create a sauce. Spinach and pasta are added, and the dish is garnished with basil.

Baked Cream Cheese Pasta

This is a variation on the viral Baked Feta Pasta. It involves baking cream cheese, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and bacon, before adding spinach and pasta. The cream cheese and tomatoes are baked until the cheese is golden and the tomatoes have burst. The spinach is then stirred in until it wilts. The pasta is cooked separately and added to the sauce, with pasta water to help it stick to the noodles.

Other Combinations

Frequently asked questions