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Creamy Fresh Tomato Pasta with Burrata

creamy fresh tomato pasta with burrata - featured image

A cozy and fresh pasta dish featuring ripe cherry tomatoes, creamy burrata, and crunchy toasted breadcrumbs, perfect for a quick and impressive dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (340 g) spaghetti or your favorite pasta
  • 1 pint (300 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) pasta cooking water reserved
  • 8 oz (225 g) burrata cheese, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (60 g) plain breadcrumbs
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • Fresh basil leaves, roughly torn (about 1/4 cup)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz (340 g) spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually 8-10 minutes). Reserve 1/4 cup (60 ml) of pasta cooking water before draining, then drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup (60 g) plain breadcrumbs with 2 tbsp softened unsalted butter until crumbs are evenly coated. Heat a medium skillet over medium heat and add the breadcrumb mixture. Toast, stirring frequently, until golden brown and crunchy, about 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
  3. In a large sauté pan over medium heat, warm 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (if using). Sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute—don’t let garlic burn!
  4. Add 1 pint (300 g) halved cherry tomatoes, sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste, and cook, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes soften and release their juices, about 8-10 minutes. The sauce should be vibrant and slightly thickened but still fresh and bright.
  5. Add the drained pasta to the tomato sauce. Pour in reserved pasta water (1/4 cup or 60 ml) gradually, stirring to loosen the sauce and help it cling to the noodles. Cook and toss for 1-2 minutes until pasta is perfectly coated. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  6. Divide pasta among warm plates or bowls. Tear burrata into generous chunks and nestle on top of each serving. Sprinkle toasted breadcrumbs over the dish for crunch, and scatter fresh torn basil leaves for a pop of color and aroma. Optionally, drizzle with olive oil to finish.

Notes

Use ripe, fresh tomatoes for best flavor. Toast breadcrumbs over medium heat and stir frequently to avoid burning. Bring burrata to room temperature before serving for optimal creaminess. Reserve pasta water to help bind the sauce. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs or crushed nuts. Burrata can be substituted with fresh mozzarella for a milder creaminess.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy pasta, fresh tomato pasta, burrata pasta, toasted breadcrumbs, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, weeknight dinner