Description
This delightful Shrimp Pasta with Tomatoes, Burrata Cheese, and Pine Nuts is a perfect blend of fresh seafood and creamy cheese, combined with the sweetness of ripe tomatoes and crunchy pine nuts. Ideal for a quick yet sophisticated dinner, this dish balances rich textures and vibrant flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
Pasta and Shrimp
- 8 ounces spaghetti or linguine
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Tomato Sauce
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup white wine (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
Finishing Touches
- 1 ball (about 8 ounces) burrata cheese
- 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
- Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- Sauté the shrimp: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the shrimp, season with salt and pepper, and cook until pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the tomato sauce: In the same skillet, add the cherry tomatoes and cook until they start to soften and release their juices, about 5 minutes. Pour in white wine if using, and let it reduce slightly. Add red pepper flakes and season with salt and pepper.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Return the shrimp to the skillet with the tomatoes. Add the cooked pasta and toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce. Stir in fresh chopped basil.
- Serve with burrata and pine nuts: Divide the pasta among serving plates. Tear the burrata cheese over the pasta and sprinkle toasted pine nuts on top. Garnish with additional basil leaves and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use fresh burrata cheese for the creamiest texture; if unavailable, fresh mozzarella can be a substitute though less creamy.
- To toast pine nuts, place them in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently until golden and fragrant.
- White wine enhances flavor but can be omitted; substitute with a splash of vegetable broth or water.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute pasta with gluten-free noodles.
