Description
A flavorful and creamy Spicy Tomato Burrata Pasta that combines the heat of red pepper flakes with the freshness of burrata cheese and a rich tomato sauce. Perfect for a quick and impressive weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or your favorite type)
Spicy Tomato Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes (or 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano or basil (optional)
For Serving
- 2 balls fresh burrata cheese (about 8 oz total)
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually 8-12 minutes, until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water.
- Prepare the spicy tomato sauce: In a large skillet or saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic. Add red pepper flakes and stir to combine.
- Add tomatoes and season: Pour in the crushed tomatoes (or halved cherry tomatoes) along with salt, black pepper, sugar (if using), and dried oregano or basil. Stir well. Let the sauce simmer over medium-low heat for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and flavorful.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water gradually to reach desired consistency.
- Serve with burrata: Divide the pasta among serving plates. Tear the fresh burrata cheese into pieces and place on top of each portion. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and freshly grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to control the spiciness.
- Sugar is optional but helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
- Using fresh cherry tomatoes will give a chunkier and fresher sauce texture compared to canned crushed tomatoes.
- If burrata is not available, fresh mozzarella can be a substitute but with less creaminess.
- Reserve some pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed for perfect coating.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the creamy texture of the burrata melting over the hot pasta.
