Quick Burst Cherry Tomato Pasta with Burrata and Fresh Basil
A simple and quick pasta dish featuring burst cherry tomatoes, creamy burrata, and fresh basil, perfect for an easy homemade dinner that feels indulgent yet effortless.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (300g) cherry tomatoes, halved or whole
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 8 ounces (225g) spaghetti or linguine, cooked al dente
- 1 ball burrata cheese (about 4 ounces or 113g)
- About 15 fresh basil leaves, torn or whole
- Zest of half a lemon (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil (about 1 tablespoon salt per 4 quarts of water). Cook 8 ounces of spaghetti or linguine until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- While pasta cooks, heat 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Add cherry tomatoes to the pan. Season with red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 7 minutes until tomatoes soften and begin to burst, releasing their juices.
- Drain pasta, reserving 1/4 cup (60ml) of pasta cooking water.
- Add pasta directly into the skillet with the tomatoes. Toss gently using tongs or a pasta fork to coat the noodles evenly.
- Add reserved pasta water a little at a time if the mixture seems dry to create a silky sauce.
- Remove the pan from heat and tear fresh basil leaves over the pasta. Toss lightly to combine.
- Transfer pasta to serving bowls or plates.
- Tear or slice burrata cheese over the top of each serving. Let it soften and melt slightly.
- Optional: zest half a lemon over the dish for a bright, citrusy note.
Notes
Use ripe but firm cherry tomatoes to avoid mushy texture. Slice garlic thinly and cook gently to prevent bitterness. Reserve pasta water to help create a silky sauce. Toss pasta with tomatoes off the heat to preserve burrata texture. Burrata can be substituted with fresh mozzarella or ricotta if needed. For vegan version, use plant-based creamy cheese and gluten-free pasta.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About one-fourth of
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 46
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 14
Keywords: cherry tomato pasta, burrata pasta, fresh basil pasta, quick pasta recipe, easy dinner, Italian pasta, vegetarian pasta