Delicious Food Pairings For Burrata Cheese

Burrata is a soft, creamy Italian cheese with a solid outer casing and a decadent, oozy texture inside. It is made from a mixture of mozzarella and cream and is best served fresh at room temperature. The cheese is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, from salads to pizzas to pasta. It pairs well with fruits and vegetables, especially stone fruits, peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, strawberries, and cherries, and its creaminess is a perfect complement to the crunch of croutons or crusty bread. It also goes well with meats like prosciutto and pancetta, and its soft, tangy flavour is balanced out by the aroma and flavour of truffles.

Salads

Burrata is a soft, creamy Italian cheese that can be used to elevate a simple salad. Here are some salad ideas that use burrata:

Caprese Salad

The most recognisable salad that uses burrata is the Caprese salad. Replace the mozzarella with a ball of burrata and add slices of fresh tomato and basil leaves. You could also add a drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette and some prosciutto to elevate the dish further.

Peach Burrata Salad

A play on the Caprese salad, this salad replaces the tomatoes with peaches. The sweetness of the peaches and the saltiness of the prosciutto complement the buttery flavour of the burrata.

Tomato, Peach and Burrata Salad

A combination of peaches, tomatoes and burrata, this salad is light and fresh, perfect for warmer temperatures. The saltiness of the burrata is a great counterpoint to the sweetness of the peaches.

Pickled Nectarine Salad with Burrata

Another stone fruit option, this salad combines the sharpness of pickled nectarines with the creaminess of burrata.

Snap Pea Salad with Burrata

This salad combines the crunch of snap peas with the creaminess of burrata.

Tomato, Pickled Melon and Burrata Salad

A variation on the classic Caprese, this salad adds pickled melon to the usual tomato and basil combination. The sharpness of the pickled melon is a great contrast to the creaminess of the burrata.

Apricot, Cherry and Burrata Salad

This salad is bursting with fruity flavours from the apricots and cherries, while the milky burrata balances out the dish. The contrast of colours also makes this salad visually appealing.

Strawberry Salad with Burrata

This simple summer salad marries the sweetness of berries with the smoothness of burrata. The addition of homemade croutons gives the salad a crunchy texture.

Beefsteak Tomato and Burrata Salad with Olive Streusel

This salad features a crunchy, savory kalamata olive streusel that can also be used in kale salads or sprinkled over roasted root vegetables. If beefsteak tomatoes are unavailable, greenhouse tomatoes can be used instead.

Peach, Tomato and Fried Farro Salad with Burrata

Fried farro adds a nice crunch to this salad, pairing perfectly with creamy burrata, fresh peaches and heirloom tomatoes.

Barley, Cauliflower and Herbs with Burrata

This salad combines barley and cauliflower with the creaminess of burrata.

Persimmon and Burrata Salad with Sesame Candy

This beautiful salad uses Fuyu persimmons, which are light orange and shaped like tomatoes. When unavailable, chef Helene Henderson substitutes them with seasonal fruit, such as nectarines.

Grilled Beet Salad with Burrata and Poppy Seed Vinaigrette

A combination of grilled beets and burrata, this salad is elevated by a poppy seed vinaigrette.

Radish Salad with Burrata

A simple salad of radishes and burrata, this dish lets the flavour of the burrata shine through.

Tomato, Avocado and Burrata Flatbread

A combination of flatbread, avocado and tomato, this dish is like a cross between pizza and avocado toast. It is best served grilled in the summer, but can also be adapted for the oven in cooler months.

Fruits

Burrata is a luxurious Italian cheese with a rich, creamy interior and a delicate exterior. Its mild flavour and creamy texture make it an excellent match for fresh fruits. Here are some ideas for fruit pairings with burrata:

Tomatoes

A classic pairing with burrata, often found together in Italian cuisine. The acidity and sweetness of tomatoes enhance the creamy texture of burrata. Combine burrata with ripe cherry tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes, or sun-dried tomatoes for a flavorful salad. For a simple presentation, arrange slices of tomato around a whole burrata and drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Berries

Berries bring a burst of sweetness and colour that pairs wonderfully with burrata's creamy texture. The tartness of berries like strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries balances the richness of the cheese. Serve burrata with a berry salad, adding a touch of honey and mint for extra flavour. For a decorative presentation, scatter fresh berries around the burrata and garnish with fresh mint leaves.

Stone Fruits

Stone fruits like peaches, nectarines, and apricots also go well with burrata. Their sweetness and tanginess complement the creamy cheese. Try a peach, tomato, and burrata salad, or grilled apricots with burrata, country ham, and arugula. Grilled peaches with burrata, honey, and pistachios is another delicious option.

Melons

The soft texture and mild flavour of melon pair well with burrata. Try a pickled nectarine salad with burrata or serve grilled nectarines with burrata. For a simple appetizer, spread burrata on grilled bread or crostini, and top with melon and a drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette.

Other Fruits

Burrata's creamy texture and mild flavour also make it a good match for many other fresh fruits. Try a strawberry salad with burrata, or an apricot, cherry, and burrata salad. The natural sweetness and acidity of fresh fruits complement the richness of burrata, so feel free to experiment with different combinations.

Vegetables

Burrata is a soft, creamy Italian cheese that pairs well with a variety of vegetables. Here are some ideas for vegetable pairings with burrata:

Fresh, Raw Vegetables

Burrata's creamy texture and mild flavour make it a perfect match for fresh, raw vegetables. Try serving it with sliced tomatoes, especially intensely ripe ones, or halved cherry tomatoes. Fresh basil leaves are also a great addition, along with a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and a sprinkling of sea salt and freshly ground pepper. If you want to get creative, you can also pair burrata with other raw vegetables like cucumbers, peppers, or strawberries.

Grilled or Roasted Vegetables

For a more indulgent option, burrata goes well with grilled or roasted vegetables. Try grilling beets and serving them with burrata and a poppy seed vinaigrette, or roasting acorn squash and topping it with garlic butter and burrata. You can also try making a roasted vegetable lasagna with burrata for a creamy and decadent dish.

Vegetable Salads

Burrata is an excellent addition to salads. It can be used in a classic Caprese salad, with fresh tomatoes and basil, or you can get creative and make a peach burrata salad, a snap pea salad, or a barley, cauliflower, and herb salad. For a more savoury option, try a crispy pancetta, burrata, and tomato sandwich, or add burrata to a beefsteak tomato salad with an olive streusel.

Vegetable Sides

If you're looking for a simple side dish, burrata can be served with grilled bread or crusty bread, along with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkling of sea salt. You can also pair it with other vegetables like grilled or roasted peppers, or even fruit like peaches, apricots, or cherries.

Pizza

Burrata Pizza

Burrata is a type of Italian cheese made from mozzarella and cream. It has a soft and creamy interior with a firm outer shell. It is best served at room temperature and seasoned simply with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkling of flakey sea salt. It is also delicious with fresh tomatoes, arugula, and prosciutto.

You can make your own pizza dough or purchase refrigerated pizza dough. If making your own, grab a bag of 00 flour—a finer ground flour that allows for a softer and better dough. If buying, many grocery stores sell ready-made pizza dough, and it is also available at Trader Joe's.

Sauce

Use a store-bought tomato sauce or, for a pesto burrata pizza, swap it out for pesto sauce.

Toppings

The key to a burrata pizza is not to overload it with toppings. Keep it simple and classic to let the burrata shine. Here are some topping ideas:

• Cherry tomatoes and basil: Slice the cherry tomatoes in half to keep them from becoming too mushy. Add fresh basil after the pizza bakes to preserve its flavor.
• Prosciutto and arugula: Add both to the pizza in the final minute of baking or scatter them over the top after it's finished baking. The warmth of the pizza will heat them up slightly.
• A pinch of red pepper flakes: A touch of heat makes the burrata pizza even more addictive.
• Balsamic glaze: A light drizzle will make you feel like a gourmet chef.
• Roasted garlic: Scatter roasted garlic pieces over the top of the pizza immediately after adding your pizza sauce.
• Blistered cherry tomatoes: Another way to use cherry tomatoes is to blister them in a pan before adding them to your pizza.

Cooking and Serving

Preheat your oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and place a pizza stone in the oven to preheat as well. Stretch out your pizza dough using your hands in a circular motion, then lay it on a flat surface and flatten it out with a rolling pin. Use a spoon to spread the sauce all around the dough, leaving a bit of space for the crust. Evenly top with your chosen toppings, except for the burrata. Bake for about 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and sprinkle the creamy burrata over the top. Place the pizza back in the oven and bake for another 3 to 4 minutes, until the burrata is melty and hot. Transfer the pizza to a cutting board and sprinkle with spices and fresh basil, if desired. Cut into slices and serve immediately.

Pasta

Burrata cheese is a soft, creamy, fresh Italian cheese with a delicate interior of cream and curd and an exterior shell of mozzarella. It pairs beautifully with pasta, especially short pasta such as paccheri, penne, rigatoni, fregola, or orecchiette. Long pasta such as spaghetti, tagliatelle, or bucatini also works well.

Ingredients

• Burrata cheese
• Pasta of your choice
• Fresh basil leaves
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Garlic
• Parmigiano Reggiano cheese (optional)
• Red pepper flakes (optional)

Optional additions:

• Sun-dried tomato pesto
• Cherry tomatoes
• Lemon juice and zest
• Butter
• Capers
• Breadcrumbs
• Thyme

Directions:

First, remove the burrata from the fridge and let it come to room temperature. Cook your chosen pasta in a large pot of salted water until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving some of the pasta water.

In a separate pan, heat some olive oil and add your choice of ingredients from the optional additions list above. For example, you could heat some butter and add minced garlic, lemon juice, and zest. Or, you could sauté some cherry tomatoes with garlic, salt, and pepper. For a more indulgent option, you could make a sun-dried tomato pesto sauce.

Once your sauce is ready, add the cooked pasta and toss to combine. If the sauce is too thick, add a little pasta water to loosen it. Finally, add the burrata cheese. You can tear it into chunks or cut it open, allowing it to slightly melt and combine with the sauce.

Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil leaves, a drizzle of olive oil, and red pepper flakes, if desired.

Tips:

• If you want to make your own pasta, try shapes like orecchiette or gnocchetti, which are fun and simple to make.
• If you can't find burrata cheese, you can substitute it with stracciatella cheese, bufala mozzarella, ricotta, or goat cheese.
• If you want to add more vegetables to your dish, try roasted cherry tomatoes, spinach, or crispy capers.
• For a spicy kick, add some red pepper flakes to your sauce.
• To elevate your dish, garnish with fresh basil and a drizzle of olive oil.
• For a showstopping presentation, serve the burrata cheese on top of the pasta without tossing it in. This way, it will slowly melt and seep into the sauce.

Frequently asked questions