Description
This Creamy Burrata Pasta recipe features a luscious tomato sauce simmered with fresh cherry and stewed tomatoes, enhanced with aromatic shallots and Italian seasoning. Spaghetti is cooked directly in the flavorful sauce, then topped with creamy Burrata cheese, fresh basil, and optional tomato garnishes for a rich, comforting Italian meal perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce and Base
- 1 Tablespoon salted butter
- 2 shallots, minced
- 10 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 43.5 oz Italian style stewed tomatoes (undrained, about 3 – 14.5 oz cans)
- 2 cups hot water
Pasta and Garnishes
- 16 oz package spaghetti
- â…“ cup fresh basil, lightly packed and chopped (measure then chop)
- 8 oz Burrata cheese
- Fresh basil leaves (optional garnish)
- Fresh tomatoes (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Sauté Shallots: In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced shallots and sauté until golden and softened, about 2-3 minutes.
- Cook Cherry Tomatoes: Mix in the halved cherry tomatoes, salt, and Italian seasoning. Continue cooking for 3-4 minutes or until the tomato skins begin to slide off.
- Simmer with Stewed Tomatoes: Stir in the undrained Italian-style stewed tomatoes and bring to a low boil, stirring frequently. Lower heat to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Gently crush the tomatoes into large pieces with a potato masher or a large serving spoon. Add the hot water and stir well. Bring the mixture back to a boil over about 2 minutes.
- Add and Cook Spaghetti: Add the spaghetti to the boiling sauce. If needed, break the spaghetti in half to fit the pan. Stir until the pasta is completely covered with the sauce, then reduce heat to a simmer.
- Simmer Pasta in Sauce: Cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the spaghetti is nearly softened. Stir in the chopped basil and continue simmering for another 1-2 minutes until pasta reaches desired texture and the sauce thickens.
- Plate and Top with Burrata: Transfer the pasta and sauce to a serving platter if desired. Top with 8 oz Burrata cheese, slicing it open just before serving to release its creamy interior.
- Garnish and Serve: Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves and fresh tomatoes if desired for added color and freshness.
Notes
- Breaking the spaghetti in half helps it fit better in the pot and cook evenly in the sauce.
- Using stewed tomatoes along with fresh cherry tomatoes creates a rich, textured sauce.
- Simmering the pasta directly in the sauce absorbs more flavor compared to boiling separately.
- Burrata cheese adds a creamy, fresh contrast to the acidic tomato sauce.
- For a vegetarian option, ensure the butter used is plant-based or substitute with olive oil.
- Garnishing with additional fresh basil and tomatoes brightens the dish visually and flavor-wise.
