Classic Creamy Burrata Pasta
Creamy rigatoni in a rich tomato and parmesan sauce, topped with burrata that melts into the pasta, finished with fresh basil and black pepper for a cozy, indulgent bite.
🍽️ Servings: 2
Ingredients
- 1 burrata balls
- 1 shallots
- 1 garlic cloves
- 200 g tomato passata
- 50 g cream cheese
- 75 g rigatoni
- 10 g parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp neutral oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
- A few basil leaves
Instructions
- Finely chop the shallots.
- Finely chop and mince the garlic cloves with a pinch of salt until they form a smooth paste.
- Cut a few basil leaves into julienne and set aside for garnish.
- Cook the rigatoni pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to the package instructions until al dente.
- While the pasta cooks, heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the finely chopped shallots and sauté for 2-3 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Add tomato passata and stir well, letting it simmer for about 10 minutes until slightly reduced.
- Add the cream cheese to the pan, stirring until fully melted and combined, creating a creamy tomato sauce.
- Let it simmer for another 3 minutes. Season with salt to taste.
- Add the cooked rigatoni to the skillet, tossing it in the sauce.
- Sprinkle in the grated parmesan and stir until fully combined with the pasta and sauce.
- Place the pasta on the plate. Gently put the burrata on top. Finish with black pepper and chopped basil leaves.
Tips & More Info
Why does cream cheese work so well in tomato sauce?
Cream cheese emulsifies into the tomatoes, smoothing out acidity while adding a subtle tangy richness. It creates a velvety texture without the heaviness of traditional cream, making the sauce feel more modern and clean.
How does simmering tomato passata improve the flavor?
A longer gentle simmer removes raw acidity and concentrates the natural sweetness of tomatoes. This step transforms the passata from simple puree into a richer, more rounded sauce with better body and depth.
How can you lighten the sauce without losing flavor?
Reducing the cream cheese slightly and extending the tomato simmer will create a more concentrated but lighter sauce. This keeps intensity high while lowering richness, letting the tomato and basil feel more pronounced.