Easy 5-Ingredient Pesto Burrata Pasta
Pesto Burrata Pasta is a creamy, fresh, and incredibly simple dinner made with just five main ingredients: pasta, basil pesto, burrata, cherry tomatoes, and Parmesan. It is the kind of recipe that looks restaurant-worthy but comes together quickly enough for a busy weeknight.
This Pesto Burrata Pasta combines tender pasta with herby pesto, juicy tomatoes, creamy burrata, and salty Parmesan. Because the ingredient list is short, each ingredient matters, so choose a pesto you enjoy, ripe tomatoes, and good-quality cheese for the best flavor.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
The 5 Main Ingredients
- 12 ounces pasta, such as rigatoni, penne, fusilli, spaghetti, or linguine
- 1 cup basil pesto
- 8 ounces burrata cheese
- 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Pantry Basics
- Salt, for the pasta water
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, optional
- Reserved pasta water, as needed
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Pesto Burrata Pasta is fast, flavorful, and easy enough for beginner cooks. There is no complicated sauce to prepare, and most of the work happens while the pasta boils.
Another reason to love Pesto Burrata Pasta is the contrast between the hot pasta and cool, creamy burrata. When the cheese is torn over the warm noodles, its creamy center softens and mixes naturally with the pesto.
The cherry tomatoes bring freshness and gentle sweetness, while Parmesan provides a salty, savory finish. You can keep the recipe simple or add chicken, shrimp, vegetables, or beans when you want a more substantial meal.
How to Make Pesto Burrata Pasta
Step 1: Bring the Pasta Water to a Boil
Fill a large pot with plenty of water and bring it to a rolling boil.
Season the water generously with salt. Well-seasoned cooking water gives the pasta flavor from the inside and makes a noticeable difference in such a simple recipe.
Step 2: Cook the Pasta
Add your chosen pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
Before draining, carefully reserve about 1 cup of the starchy cooking water.
Drain the pasta but do not rinse it. Rinsing removes surface starch that helps the pesto cling to the noodles.
Step 3: Prepare the Tomatoes
While the pasta cooks, slice the cherry or grape tomatoes in half.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat if using. Add the tomatoes and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
They should soften and blister slightly while still holding some of their shape.
The juicy tomatoes help Pesto Burrata Pasta taste fresh and balanced rather than overly rich.
Step 4: Add the Pasta
Transfer the drained pasta directly into the skillet with the warm tomatoes.
Toss gently for about 30 seconds so the noodles pick up the tomato juices and any flavorful olive oil left in the pan.
Step 5: Add the Pesto
Remove the skillet from direct heat.
Spoon the basil pesto over the hot pasta and toss until everything is evenly coated.
Start adding the reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time until the pesto becomes silky enough to coat the noodles.
Avoid cooking pesto over high heat because excessive heat can dull the fresh basil flavor and color.
Step 6: Add Parmesan
Sprinkle the freshly grated Parmesan over the pasta.
Toss gently until the cheese starts melting into the sauce.
The Parmesan gives Pesto Burrata Pasta an extra savory finish and helps the pesto cling beautifully to every piece of pasta.
Step 7: Add the Burrata
Transfer the pasta to a large serving bowl or keep it in the skillet for a rustic presentation.
Place the burrata in the center.
Use a spoon or knife to gently tear it open and allow the creamy center to flow over the warm pasta.
You can also divide the burrata into several pieces and arrange them around the skillet so every serving gets some.
Step 8: Season the Dish
Add freshly cracked black pepper.
Taste before adding more salt because pesto, Parmesan, and burrata can already contain plenty of salt.
If you want a looser sauce, add another small splash of reserved pasta water.
Step 9: Let It Rest
Allow the finished pasta to rest for about 2 minutes.
This gives the burrata time to soften and allows the sauce to settle around the noodles.
Step 10: Serve
Serve Pesto Burrata Pasta warm while the burrata is soft, creamy, and easy to mix into each portion.
Spoon any pesto, tomatoes, and creamy cheese remaining in the bottom of the skillet over the individual servings.
Serving Suggestions
Pesto Burrata Pasta is rich enough to serve as a complete dinner, but fresh sides make the meal feel balanced.
Pair it with a crisp green salad, arugula salad, cucumber tomato salad, roasted broccoli, asparagus, green beans, or grilled zucchini.
Garlic bread, toasted ciabatta, focaccia, or crusty sourdough is also delicious for soaking up the creamy pesto sauce.
For extra protein, pair Pesto Burrata Pasta with grilled chicken, shrimp, salmon, Italian sausage, or seasoned white beans.
Pesto Burrata Pasta also works beautifully for casual entertaining because you can bring the skillet directly to the table and let everyone help themselves.
For a lighter bread option, try our Low-Carb Spinach Mozzarella Cloud Buns with a soft, cheesy texture and savory spinach flavor.
Recipe Tips
Choose a pasta shape with ridges or curves if you want the pesto to cling especially well.
Always reserve pasta water before draining. The starch helps loosen the pesto without making the sauce watery.
Remove the skillet from strong heat before stirring in the pesto.
Let the burrata sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving so its center becomes extra creamy.
For the best Pesto Burrata Pasta flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan rather than pre-shredded cheese.
Choose ripe cherry tomatoes because their natural sweetness balances the salty cheese and herbaceous pesto.
Do not overcook the pasta. Al dente noodles hold their shape better when tossed with sauce.
Easy Variations
Pesto Burrata Pasta is easy to customize while keeping the basic preparation simple.
Add baby spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, asparagus, roasted peppers, peas, or broccoli for extra vegetables.
For a spicy version, sprinkle in crushed red pepper flakes or add a small spoonful of chili crisp.
Basil pesto can be replaced with sun-dried tomato pesto, spinach pesto, kale pesto, or arugula pesto.
For extra protein, mix in grilled chicken, shrimp, salmon, tuna, or chickpeas.
A lemon variation is especially refreshing. Add finely grated lemon zest and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice shortly before serving.
If you want an easy high-protein main dish, you may also like our Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe with a golden crunchy coating and juicy center.
Make-Ahead Instructions
Pesto Burrata Pasta is best served freshly assembled, but several ingredients can be prepared ahead.
Cook the tomatoes up to one day in advance and refrigerate them in an airtight container.
Grate the Parmesan ahead and keep it chilled.
Measure the pesto and refrigerate it until needed.
You can also prepare vegetables or cooked protein in advance.
Cook the pasta shortly before serving for the best texture, then combine everything and add the burrata immediately before bringing the dish to the table.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover Pesto Burrata Pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
If possible, keep leftover burrata separate from the pasta.
Reheat the noodles gently in a skillet over medium-low heat with one or two tablespoons of water.
Individual portions can also be microwaved in short intervals, stirring between each interval.
Add fresh burrata after reheating rather than heating the cheese aggressively, which can cause its creamy center to separate.
Nutrition Information
Approximate nutrition per serving:
Calories: 610
Protein: 24 g
Carbohydrates: 69 g
Fat: 28 g
Saturated Fat: 11 g
Fiber: 5 g
Sugar: 7 g
Sodium: 760 mg
Nutrition values are estimates and may vary depending on the pasta, pesto, burrata, Parmesan, tomatoes, and exact serving size.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use store-bought pesto?
Yes. A good-quality refrigerated pesto is perfect for Pesto Burrata Pasta and keeps the recipe extremely quick.
Which pasta shape works best?
Rigatoni, fusilli, penne, spaghetti, linguine, and orecchiette are all excellent options. Shapes with ridges capture more sauce.
Can I use mozzarella instead of burrata?
Yes. Fresh mozzarella is a good substitute, although the finished dish will not have quite the same creamy center.
Can I leave out the tomatoes?
Yes. You can omit them or replace them with roasted red peppers, spinach, zucchini, peas, or asparagus.
Can I serve this pasta cold?
Yes. Pesto Burrata Pasta can also be enjoyed at room temperature as a pasta salad. Add the burrata immediately before serving for the best texture.
Can I add chicken?
Absolutely. Grilled, roasted, or leftover chicken makes an easy addition and turns the pasta into an even heartier dinner.
Why should I reserve pasta water?
The starch released by the pasta helps thin the pesto while allowing the sauce to stay creamy and cling to the noodles instead of becoming watery.
Final Thoughts
Pesto Burrata Pasta is proof that a short ingredient list can still create a rich, beautiful, and impressive dinner.
Because Pesto Burrata Pasta uses only five main ingredients and comes together in about 25 minutes, it is ideal for busy weeknights, quick family dinners, casual entertaining, or an easy date-night meal.
Keep this Pesto Burrata Pasta recipe handy whenever you want a fresh Italian-inspired dinner without spending time preparing a complicated sauce.
With tender pasta, fragrant basil pesto, juicy tomatoes, salty Parmesan, and luxuriously creamy burrata, Pesto Burrata Pasta delivers plenty of flavor with very little effort.