Burrata Pasta with Tomato Basil Sauce

August 02, 2021

Burrata pasta is simplicity at its finest! Pair this rich cheese with a hearty tomato basil sauce for an easy dinner that’s truly sublime.

Burrata cheese is one of life’s greatest pleasures (if you’re a cheese lover like we are). One of the best ways to make it into a meal? This Burrata Pasta, a beautiful example of Italian-style culinary simplicity. The majestic balls of fresh mozzarella sit atop a pasta twirls entwined with a rustic tomato basil sauce. Breaking into the cheese releases its creamy, rich interior into each bite. We simply could not stop eating this one, and immediately added it to our “best of” dinner list.

What’s burrata, exactly?

Burrata is an Italian fresh mozzarella cheese filled with cream and cheese shreds, called straciatella. When you cut into the ball, the creamy cheese comes spilling out: perfect for topping pasta and pizza.

If it sounds rich, that’s because it is! Burrata is higher in fat content than normal mozzarella and most other cheeses. This cheese originated in Southern Italy, and it’s now served all over the country and world. It’s on the pricier side for a cheese, but it’s absolutely worth it. When we want to impress, it’s burrata all the way.

Ingredients in this burrata pasta

Burrata is fantastic for topping pasta because it’s rich and delicious, and because it looks showy! We modeled this recipe after one a friend made for us on a summer evening. Topped with burrata balls and sliced cherry tomatoes, spaghetti looks positively glamorous. Here’s what you’ll need for this burrata pasta:

Burrata cheese
Canned whole tomatoes, San Marzano if possible
Garlic
Basil
Olive oil
Cherry tomatoes
Parmesan cheese
Spaghetti or bucatini pasta

Make a rustic tomato basil sauce

The main task for this burrata pasta? Making the rustic tomato basil sauce. Here are a few tips to keep in mind for this method:

Look for whole canned San Marzano tomatoes. San Marzano tomatoes are an Italian variety of tomato (not a brand). They have the best sweet, developed flavor straight out of the can. They’re becoming widely available in many American grocery stores, so you should be able to find them in the canned tomato section. They’re worth seeking out here.
You’ll mash the tomatoes into a sauce with a potato masher. The flavor of whole tomatoes is a step above crushed tomatoes. So for this sauce, you’ll crush them yourself using a potato masher! See the photo for the approximate texture.
This results in a chunky texture. The chunky, rustic texture gives beautiful bursts of tomato basil flavor. You can immersion blend it to make it smoother, but we prefer it this way.

How to serve this burrata pasta

This burrata pasta recipe is all about presentation! It’s at its best when served on a large platter topped with all the fixings. Here are a few things to note:

Top with burrata balls, then cut them for serving. As each eater helps themselves, they can cut off a bit of the burrata. Alternatively, you can break up the burrata into small pieces and gently toss it.
Cherry tomatoes are optional! They’re perfect if you’re serving burrata pasta in the summer. If you can’t find great tomatoes, leave them out and it’s just as good.
Garnish with basil, olive oil, and pepper. It’s all in the presentation here! Get creative and garnish your masterpiece with basil and cherry tomatoes. We like a few grinds of black pepper, as well.

A few side dish ideas

What else to serve with this tasty burrata pasta to make it a meal? This dish is perfect for summer with a few salads, or serve it in the winter with garlic bread. Here are some tasty options:

Green salad: Try Favorite Chopped Salad, Goat Cheese Arugula Salad or BEST Kale Salad
Summer salad: Pair with Watermelon Salad with Mint, Simple Avocado Salad or elegant Broccolini Salad
Citrus salad: Opt for Fennel Orange Salad or Simple Citrus Salad
Green veggies: Pair with Parmesan Broccoli, Perfect Roasted Broccolini, or Lemony Broiled Asparagus
White beans: Try Easy White Beans or Easy Cannellini Beans
Bread: Add artisan bread, Easy Garlic Bread or Garlic Toast

More recipes with burrata

Burrata is the best treat! Here are a few more ways to use it:

Try this epic Burrata Pizza
Serve it in an Easy Burrata Recipe with seasonal produce
Opt for a deliciously fresh Burrata Caprese Salad

Burrata Pasta

Author: Sonja Overhiser
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Burrata pasta is simplicity at its finest! Pair this rich cheese with a hearty tomato basil sauce for an easy dinner that’s truly sublime.

Ingredients

¼ cup olive oil
4 medium garlic cloves, peeled and sliced
28 ounce whole San Marzano tomatoes
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ cup roughly chopped basil leaves, plus more for garnish
8 ounces spaghetti or bucatini pasta
½ pint red and yellow cherry tomatoes, sliced in half (or, omit if they’re not in season)
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
8 ounces (2 balls) burrata cheese
Fresh ground black pepper, for serving (optional)

Instructions

Make the tomato basil sauce: Add the olive oil to a saucepan over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and cook for about 30 to 45 seconds until lightly browned and fragrant. Add the whole tomatoes with the can liquid, taking care as it may spit as the tomatoes hit the hot oil. Use a potato masher to break up the tomatoes into small pieces (see the sauce photo above). Add the kosher salt and chopped basil leaves and bring to a heavy simmer. Cover the saucepan with a lid slightly ajar and simmer, bubbling rapidly, for 10 to 12 minutes until thickened. (If you prefer a smoother texture you can immersion blend it, but we highly recommend the chunky rustic texture here.)
Cook the pasta: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Set the timer for a few minutes less than the package instructions and then taste: the pasta should be just done, still with some firmness. Drain the pasta and return to the pot. Add a drizzle of olive oil if the sauce is not yet done, to prevent sticking.
Serve: Toss the noodles with the sauce until well coated. Add to a platter and top with the grated Parmesan. Add the two burrata balls, and arrange the cherry tomatoes around them. Top with a drizzle of olive oil, several pinches kosher salt, fresh ground black pepper and additional chopped basil. When serving, have each eater break off pieces of the burrata for their portion, or simply break it into pieces and lightly toss throughout the pasta.