Quick Creamy Pesto Pasta Recipe with Burrata and Cherry Tomatoes Made Easy
A quick and easy creamy pesto pasta featuring burrata and sautéed cherry tomatoes, perfect for a cozy dinner or a fuss-free weeknight meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2-3 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces (225 g) pasta (penne, fusilli, or farfalle recommended)
- 1 ball burrata (about 4 ounces / 115 g)
- 1 cup (150 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup (120 ml) pesto sauce
- ¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225 g) of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually 9-11 minutes). Reserve ½ cup (120 ml) of pasta water before draining.
- While the pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 minced garlic clove and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, avoiding browning.
- Add 1 cup (150 g) halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until they soften and release juices but still hold their shape.
- Lower heat to medium-low. Stir in ½ cup (120 ml) pesto and ¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream. Mix gently to combine. Add reserved pasta water as needed to achieve a creamy, smooth sauce.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat all pasta pieces. Adjust sauce consistency with more pasta water if necessary.
- Tear the burrata into chunks and scatter on top of the warm pasta. Allow it to melt slightly, creating creamy pockets.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh basil leaves.
- Serve immediately while burrata is soft and sauce is silky.
Notes
Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Tear burrata by hand just before serving to maintain creamy texture. Adjust cream quantity based on pesto saltiness. Use gluten-free pasta or dairy-free substitutes as needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 to 1.5 cups
- Calories: 475
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 27
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 43
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 16
Keywords: pesto pasta, creamy pasta, burrata, cherry tomatoes, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, weeknight meal, Italian comfort food