This 4-ingredient tomato and cheese appetizer takes minutes to prepare, using simple ingredients! Super easy and super tasty! Make this tomato and cheese plate for holidays, as appetizers or a pretty vegetarian side!
Tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, garlic, and mayo is what makes these little appetizers! Commonly seen among Russian or Ukrainian peeps these simple appetizers even make it to wedding menus! I love this particular version since the cheese mixture gives a nice chewy texture and the mayo works like glue to keep the cheese in place, creating a lesser mess. Bring this to Thanksgiving Dinner or whip up a batch for a simple family side and enjoy!
Can I make this tomato and cheese Appetizer the night before?
YES! This cheese mixture especially makes the make-ahead process easier since the aioli and cheese are mixed together you just have to spread it over the sliced tomatoes. No sprinkling shredded cheese over the tops and getting messy it’s all in the mix!
What tomatoes are the best for a tomato and cheese appetizer like this?
Try to go for Roma tomatoes since they have less seedy pulp inside and more flesh. The more flesh of the tomato the better the tomato will hold its shape and that’s especially needed when working with finger foods like this. Smaller firm vine tomatoes will also work just slice them on the thick side to prevent any breaking when picking up to eat.
What kind of cheeses can I use for this tomato and cheese appetizer?
Mozzarella cheese works best here but you can also substitute a shredded Mexican cheese blend, shredded Monterey jack cheese, or shredded Colby jack here.
Ingredients for tomato and cheese appetizer:
- 3 Roma or small off the vine tomatoes, thickly sliced
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 garlic clove, pressed
- 2 TBSP mayonnaise
How to make tomato and cheese appetizer:
1. Arrange tomato slices over a serving plate. Set aside.
2. Mix together the cheese, garlic, and mayonnaise until sticky and well combined.
3. Spoon about half a teaspoon onto each tomato slice spreading out the mixture if needed. Serve.
4. TO MAKE-AHEAD store sliced tomatoes and the cheese mixture separately then assemble when ready to serve.

Tomato and Cheese Appetizer
Ingredients
- 3 Roma or small off the vine tomatoes thickly sliced
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 garlic clove pressed
- 2 TBSP mayonnaise
Instructions
- Arrange tomato slices over a serving plate. Set aside.
- Mix together the cheese, garlic, and mayonnaise until sticky and well combined.
- Spoon about half a teaspoon onto each tomato slice spreading out the mixture if needed. Serve.
- TO MAKE-AHEAD store sliced tomatoes and the cheese mixture separately then assemble when ready to serve.
Nutrition per serving