This roasted tomatoes and burrata pasta is made by oven-roasting cherry tomatoes with garlic and olive oil until they blister, then tossing them with your favorite pasta and topping everything with creamy burrata cheese. The heat from the pasta melts the burrata into a rich, silky sauce that coats every strand.
Inspired by one of my favorite home cooks, Mimi Thorisson, the amazing person behind Manger, posted a rough burrata pasta recipe on her Instagram account and since I’ve been wanting to make more pasta dishes for The Kitchen Abroad – I decided to make it.
I already knew exactly how this dish will taste like way before even cooking it as I’ve made enough quick pasta recipes in my life that I’ve whipped up different versions of this recipe from before using different types of soft, mild cheeses.
But I’ve never tried it with Burrata!
Burrata never really was the type of cheese I’d normally put on a pasta dish as I always find it tasteless and would rather eat it on its own with fresh slices of ripe tomatoes on a bed of rockets and simply seasoned with salt and freshly grounded black pepper – simple but so good.
However, Mimi’s recipes intrigued me so I tried it and I was hooked. The creaminess of Burrata played with the naturally acidic flavors of tomatoes and with a touch of salt and a hint of black pepper, how can I put this in words, it was just bomb honestly.
The simplicity of the ingredients at their rawest form altogether created such a dish so simple you can’t go wrong.
What is Burrata?
If you’re familiar with Mozzarella and Stracciatella, then Burrata is pretty much what would come out if the first two kinds of cheese had sex and made babies. Well, to put it simply, of course.
Burrata is a cheese produced in Southern Italy and it basically has the outer shell of a Mozzarella and it is stuffed with Stracciatella and fresh cream.
So, technically if you cut a Burrata in half, it should ooze out a creamy texture resembling a super loose stretched fresh mozzarella (because Stracciatella is mozzarella in a looser form, basically).
Anyways, if you can’t get your hands on Burrata, you can use Mozzarella – NOT the grated shredded ones you put on pizza, please, get the fresh ones (looks like a soft, white ball in brine).
Best served with wine
If you’re feeling fancy when you decide to make this delicious roasted tomatoes and burrata pasta recipe then perhaps a bottle of red would be a pretty good idea.
Since this is a tomato-based dish, it is recommended to pair this with a medium-bodied red wine. Sangiovese, Merlot, or even a Pinot Noir would be good choices but I personally paired this with a full-bodied wine since I had an Italian blend lying around and was too lazy to drive to the nearest alcohol shop.
Honestly, it was a good pair. Not going to complain!
How to make this roasted tomatoes and Burrata pasta recipe?
This is honestly the easiest pantry pasta dish you can ever make! Just note that this recipe is based on a 163cm woman’s daily 1600 calorie diet so if you’re a grown man who would like to re-create this recipe, I highly suggest you double the portion size (at least).
As always, I have everything in detail in the recipe box below but here’s an overview. Let me know in the comment section below if you tried this recipe!
Ingredients
- 250g cherry tomatoes, halved
- 150g spaghetti or linguine
- 1 ball of fresh Burrata (about 125g)
- 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Fresh basil leaves, for topping
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200C (400F). Spread the halved cherry tomatoes on a baking tray, drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and roast for 20 to 25 minutes until they burst and caramelize.
- While the tomatoes roast, cook your pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about half a cup of pasta water before draining.
- In a pan over medium heat, warm a drizzle of olive oil and gently cook the sliced garlic for about a minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it.
- Add the roasted tomatoes to the pan with the garlic. Toss in the drained pasta and mix everything together. Add a splash of pasta water if it needs loosening up.
- Transfer to a serving plate, tear the Burrata right on top so that creamy filling oozes over the pasta. Finish with fresh basil, a crack of black pepper, and red pepper flakes if you like a little kick.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I use mozzarella instead of burrata?
Yes, fresh mozzarella works as a substitute. You will miss the creamy stracciatella center that makes burrata special, but the dish will still taste great. Tear the mozzarella into pieces and let it soften over the hot pasta.
How long do I roast the tomatoes?
Roast cherry tomatoes at 200C (400F) for about 20 to 25 minutes until they blister and start to burst. The natural sugars caramelize during roasting, which gives the sauce its sweetness.
What pasta shape works best for this recipe?
Spaghetti and linguine are classic choices, but any long pasta works well. Short shapes like rigatoni or penne also catch the roasted tomato pieces nicely. Use whatever you have on hand.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
You can roast the tomatoes up to a day ahead and store them in the fridge. When ready to serve, reheat them gently while you cook the pasta. Add the burrata fresh right before serving since it is best at room temperature.
Key Takeaways
- Roasting cherry tomatoes concentrates their sweetness and creates a natural sauce without any extra ingredients.
- Burrata melts into a creamy, rich topping when placed on hot pasta, so always add it last and serve right away.
- This entire dish comes together in about 30 minutes with just a handful of pantry staples.
- Fresh mozzarella works as a substitute if burrata is not available at your local store.
- A dry red wine like Chianti or Barbera pairs perfectly with the roasted tomato and cheese flavors.
Final Thoughts
This roasted tomatoes and burrata pasta is one of those dishes that proves you do not need a long ingredient list to make something special. The sweet roasted tomatoes, creamy burrata, and perfectly cooked pasta come together in a way that feels indulgent but takes almost no effort. Give it a try and let me know how it turns out!
