Burrata with Roasted Tomatoes, Basil & Pesto Recipe
A simple and elegant appetizer featuring creamy burrata cheese paired with sweet roasted cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and aromatic pesto, served alongside crispy olive oil brushed baguette slices. Perfect for entertaining or a light, flavorful starter.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Tomatoes and Seasoning
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Main Ingredients
- 8 ounces burrata cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (or to taste)
- 2 tablespoons pesto (or to taste)
For Serving
- Baguette slices (to desired thickness, quantity for 8 servings)
- Olive oil for brushing bread
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for roasting the tomatoes and toasting the bread simultaneously.
- Prepare tomatoes: Spread the cherry tomatoes evenly on a rimmed baking pan. In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Drizzle this mixture over the tomatoes and toss gently to ensure each tomato is coated.
- Prepare bread: Slice a baguette to your preferred thickness for crostini. Arrange the slices on another rimmed baking sheet and lightly brush each slice with olive oil for a golden finish.
- Roast: Place both the tomato pan and the bread pan in the oven together. Roast for 8-10 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and the tomatoes start to burst, releasing their juices.
- Assemble the dish: Remove both from the oven and allow the tomatoes to cool slightly. Transfer the roasted tomatoes to a serving plate, then top with the burrata cheese. Sprinkle fresh basil over the top and drizzle with pesto and additional olive oil if desired.
- Serve: Enjoy immediately with the toasted baguette slices or your favorite dippers alongside this vibrant and creamy appetizer.
Notes
- For a vegan version, substitute burrata with a plant-based cheese alternative and ensure the pesto does not contain cheese.
- You can prepare the garlic olive oil mixture ahead of time to speed up assembly.
- Use fresh, ripe cherry tomatoes for the best flavor.
- Leftover roasted tomatoes can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and used in salads or pasta dishes.
- Feel free to add a splash of balsamic vinegar to the tomatoes before roasting for added depth of flavor.
