Creamy Tomato Pasta with Burrata
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Ingredients
Directions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. The amount of water should be plenty to comfortably submerge the pasta. Aim for 4-6 quarts of water for 8 ounces of dried pasta.
Add the dried pasta (such as penne, rigatoni, or bucatini) to the boiling water. Stir gently to separate the pasta and prevent sticking.
Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, typically for 8-12 minutes, or until al dente (cooked through but still firm to the bite).
While the pasta is cooking, proceed with preparing the creamy tomato sauce.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics
Heat the extra-virgin olive oil (2 tablespoons) in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the diced onion (1 small) and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until softened and translucent. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.
Add the minced garlic cloves (2) and cook for an additional minute, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic as it can turn bitter.
Step 3: Build the Creamy Tomato Sauce
Once the garlic is fragrant, add the crushed tomatoes (1 can, 14 ounces) to the skillet. Use a spoon to break up any large tomato clumps.
Season the sauce with salt and black pepper to taste. Start with a quarter teaspoon of each and adjust to your preference later.
Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
Step 4: Add Cream and Cheese
After the sauce has simmered, stir in the heavy cream (1/2 cup). This will add a rich and creamy texture to the sauce.
Next, incorporate the grated Parmesan cheese (1/2 cup). Stir continuously until the cheese melts and is evenly distributed throughout the sauce.
Step 5: Final Touches and Assembly
While the sauce simmers with the cream and cheese, check on your pasta. Once the pasta is al dente, drain it in a colander, reserving about 1/4 cup of the pasta water.
Immediately add the drained pasta to the skillet with the creamy tomato sauce. Toss gently to coat the pasta with the sauce.
If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water to thin it out to your desired consistency.
Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings with additional salt and pepper, if needed.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Transfer the creamy tomato pasta to serving plates.
Tear the burrata cheese (1 ball) into bite-sized pieces and distribute them evenly over the pasta. The creamy texture of the burrata complements the sauce beautifully.
Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious Creamy Tomato Pasta with Burrata!
Recipe Note
Pasta:
For the most delicious pasta dish, start with high-quality durum wheat pasta. This type of wheat cooks up with the perfect texture and flavor. Remember to cook the pasta al dente, which means it's cooked through but still has a slight firmness when you bite into it. Avoid overcooking the pasta, as it will become mushy and won't hold the sauce well.
Sauce:
Fresh, ripe tomatoes are the key to a flavorful sauce. However, canned crushed tomatoes are a perfectly acceptable substitute if fresh ones aren't available. To balance the acidity of the tomatoes, consider adding a pinch of sugar to the sauce. When it comes to cheese, a good quality Parmesan will elevate the dish. But feel free to use another hard cheese like Asiago or Romano if you don't have Parmesan on hand.
Burrata:
For the ultimate flavor and texture, use fresh burrata cheese. This soft and creamy cheese, made from mozzarella and cream, is a delightful addition to pasta dishes, salads, and even pizzas.
Other Tips:
For a touch of color and freshness, garnish your pasta with chopped basil leaves. Complete the meal by serving crusty bread on the side. You can adjust the flavor profile of your sauce by adding a splash of balsamic vinegar for a touch of acidity or a pinch of red pepper flakes for a hint of heat. If you're missing some ingredients, feel free to substitute. Milk or half-and-half can replace heavy cream, and grated cheddar or Gruyère can be used instead of Parmesan. Finally, if you don't have burrata, fresh mozzarella or ricotta cheese are good alternatives.
