Pasta with Creamy Pesto, Fresh Tomatoes and Burrata

A silky blend of pesto and heavy cream coats these incredibly tender pasta shells. Add a pop of fresh tomatoes and a ball of buttery/creamy burrata, and you have everything you could ever want in one bowl. And wait until you see how short the ingredient list is.

Seriously, look at this short ingredient list and easy preparation instructions! Truth is, when you use really good ingredients (like pesto, cream, fresh tomatoes, and burrata), you don't need anything else. More would be overkill. Keep things simple and fresh, and you'll be amazed at the outcome. I guarantee your mind will be blown with this dish.

If you've never tried burrata before, now's your chance. Although it's often mistaken for its mozzarella cousin, burrata is not mozzarella. Burrata means "buttered," which perfectly describes this cheese ball of creamy joy. It's an Italian cheese with a solid/stretchy outer curd made from fresh mozzarella (either from cow or water buffalo milk), filled with soft, stringy curd and fresh cream. The filling is milky, buttery and rich, and the outer "pouch" is the best mozzarella you've ever had. Look for burrata next to the fresh mozzarella cheese in the grocery store.

Want a substitution for burrata? Use the little balls of fresh mozzarella (called bocconcini or ciliegene), or slice a ball of fresh mozzarella and arrange the slices on top of the pasta.

Pasta with Creamy Pesto, Fresh Tomatoes and Burrata

1 pound pasta of choice
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup prepared pesto
Salt and ground black pepper
8 ounces cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes, halved crosswise
1-2 balls burrata, room temperature (bringing the cheese to room temp softens the creamy curd filling so it oozes into the dish when you slice it)
Olive oil for drizzling over top
Fresh basil leaves for serving

Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and transfer to a large bowl. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together the cream and pesto. While the pasta is still warm, fold in the cream-pesto mixture. Fold in the cherry tomatoes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Transfer the pasta to a serving platter or bowl and top with the burrata. Drizzle the burrata with olive oil. Garnish with basil and serve.
Serves 4