A simple but elegant Italian-inspired pasta featuring roasted cherry tomatoes, garlic, fresh basil, and creamy burrata. Roasting the tomatoes concentrates their natural sweetness and creates a rich sauce without heavy cream.
Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 400g spaghetti
- 600g cherry tomatoes
- 200g burrata
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, lightly crushed
- 10–12 fresh basil leaves
- ½ tsp chili flakes (optional)
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper
- ½–1 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
1. Roast the Tomatoes
Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
Place the cherry tomatoes in a baking dish with the garlic and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Season with salt and black pepper.
Roast for 25–30 minutes, until the tomatoes are soft, blistered, and beginning to caramelize.
2. Create the Sauce
Transfer the roasted tomatoes and their juices to a large skillet.
Gently crush some of the tomatoes with the back of a spoon while leaving others whole for texture.
Add chili flakes if desired and several torn basil leaves.
3. Cook the Spaghetti
Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil.
Cook the spaghetti until al dente.
Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water.
4. Combine
Transfer the spaghetti directly into the skillet with the roasted tomatoes.
Add a splash of pasta water and the remaining olive oil.
Toss vigorously for 1–2 minutes until the tomato juices, olive oil, and pasta water emulsify into a glossy sauce that coats every strand.
5. Add the Burrata
Remove the skillet from the heat.
Tear the burrata into generous pieces and place them over the hot spaghetti. Allow the creamy center to soften naturally from the heat of the pasta.
6. Serve
Divide into warm bowls and finish with fresh basil, freshly ground black pepper, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
Chef’s Tip 🇮🇹
Allow the tomatoes to roast until their edges begin to caramelize. This concentrates their sweetness and creates a much deeper tomato flavor. Add the burrata only after the pasta has been removed from direct heat to preserve its fresh, creamy texture.
Final result: Glossy spaghetti coated with intensely sweet roasted tomatoes, fragrant basil, and garlic, finished with cool, creamy burrata melting gently into the warm pasta. 🍅🌿🧀🍝
