Description
Creamy pesto pasta tossed with sweet roasted cherry tomatoes and topped with fresh burrata cheese. This Italian-inspired dish combines the freshness of basil pesto and the rich creaminess of burrata with the natural sweetness of slow-roasted tomatoes, making it a perfect easy weeknight or summer dinner.
Ingredients
Pasta and Sauce
- 400 g pasta (spaghetti, penne, or rigatoni)
- ¾ cup basil pesto
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves
Roasted Tomatoes
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Topping
- 1 ball burrata cheese (about 125 g)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) to get ready for roasting the tomatoes.
- Prepare Tomatoes: Place cherry tomatoes on a baking sheet. Toss them with olive oil, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes to evenly coat.
- Roast Tomatoes: Roast the seasoned tomatoes in the oven for 20–25 minutes until they are softened and caramelized, enhancing their natural sweetness.
- Cook Pasta: While tomatoes roast, cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Be sure to reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Toss Pasta with Pesto: Return drained pasta to the pot and add the basil pesto and fresh lemon juice. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time, stirring until the sauce is creamy and coats the pasta well.
- Add Roasted Tomatoes: Gently fold the roasted cherry tomatoes into the pesto pasta, mixing carefully to combine but without breaking the tomatoes apart.
- Plate and Serve: Transfer the pasta mixture to a serving dish and top with the burrata cheese. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan and fresh basil leaves to finish. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Allow burrata to come to room temperature before serving to maximize creaminess and flavor.
- For added protein, consider topping with grilled chicken or shrimp.
- Substitute roasted cherry tomatoes with sun-dried tomatoes for a more concentrated tomato flavor.
- Avoid cooking the pesto over high heat to preserve its fresh basil aroma and taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Pasta, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
