Caprese Pasta with Burrata (Printable)

Fresh tomatoes and burrata top pasta for a creamy, vibrant Italian-inspired vegetarian dish.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz short pasta such as fusilli, penne, or farfalle
02 - Salt, for boiling water

→ Vegetables & Herbs

03 - 14 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
05 - 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
06 - 1 small bunch fresh basil, leaves picked

→ Dairy

07 - 2 large balls burrata cheese (about 3.5 oz each)
08 - 2 oz grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

→ Seasoning

09 - Freshly ground black pepper
10 - Flaky sea salt, to taste

# How-To:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/3 cup of pasta cooking water before draining.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring, until fragrant.
03 - Add halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet with garlic. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes, until tomatoes soften and begin to burst. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
04 - Add drained pasta to the skillet with the tomatoes. Toss to blend, adding reserved pasta water gradually to create a silky sauce.
05 - Remove skillet from the heat. Stir in half of the basil leaves and Parmesan cheese, if using.
06 - Divide pasta among serving plates. Tear the burrata balls and place pieces on top of each portion.
07 - Garnish each plate with the remaining basil leaves, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with flaky sea salt and black pepper.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Even when you're short on time, the dish feels special enough for guests.
  • The burrata transforms the pasta into something luxurious and silky with barely any effort.
02 -
  • Never let the garlic brown—it turns bitter fast and can overpower the tomatoes.
  • Reserving pasta water is key; it helps make everything come together in a silky sauce rather than sticking.
03 -
  • If your basil wilts too quickly, rinse it with cold water and pat dry before stirring in.
  • A drizzle of really good olive oil on top makes everything taste more like summer.
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