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One Pot Melty Burrata Lemon Pesto Pasta! This simple summery pesto pasta is made in under 30 minutes, uses just one pot, and is a great way to use up all that summer basil. Made with creamy melted burrata cheese, homemade pistachio basil, a touch of garlic, and finished with fresh basil and lemon. The perfect quick-cooking pasta that’s great for these low-key summer nights.
Sometimes when testing out a new recipe I’ll begin cooking and then the dish begins to take a completely different turn. That’s exactly what happed with this delicious pesto pasta. Originally the burrata cheese was never part of this recipe. But in the end, it ended up being the the KEY to creating a really delicious, really exciting pesto pasta. ‘
I know this looks super simple, and it is. But guys don’t let that fool you, this is probably my favorite recipe of the week.
Here’s the story
Before I left for Mexico, I was in a mad rush to get everything done…per usual before leaving for just about any trip.
The fridge was really running low on ingredients. But the garden was full of fresh herbs, especially basil. The pantry was stocked with pasta and I had just enough cheese in the fridge to create something delicious.
So pesto pasta it was.
The details are simple
Since I had mass amounts of fresh basil and thyme. I made a quick basil pesto with roasted pistachios, parmesan, thyme and lemon. I’ve included the recipe so you guys can make your own homemade pesto too. But feel free to use store-bought pesto if that’s easier for you.
If you are going to make pesto, it’s really easy. Just combine everything in a food processor until mixed, then season with salt.
Now the pasta…it comes together in just one pot
The rest is so quick and easy that you’ll be shocked.
Boil your favorite pasta. I love to use a long noodle, but short cut works too. Before you drain the pasta, save some of that pasta cooking water to help you create a yummy pesto sauce at the end.
Now in the same pot you boiled the pasta, cook up some garlic and thyme. Add chili flakes for a bit of spice, then stir in the pasta, pesto, and a couple of spoonfuls of ricotta cheese.
When everything is combined, break the balls of burrata over the pasta and remove from the heat. Add the basil and lemon, then gently stir a few times until the burrata begins to melt into the pasta.
If you’ve never experienced melty burrata cheese, let me just say that it is truly so delicious. Creamier and cheesier than you could ever imagine. A little really does go a long way!
Serve the pasta up immediately, while everything is still warm, and top with plenty of fresh basil. Honestly, this is one of my easiest recipes yet. But it’s also one of my favorite summer dinners. At least at the moment.
You only need a handful of ingredients and a small amount of time. This dish is pretty hard to beat.
And most importantly, it is DELICIOUS! And especially great if you have a summer garden full of basil and thyme!
Looking for other fresh basil recipes? Here are some favorites:
Roasted Tomato Basil and Feta Orzo
Basil Parmesan Pasta with Crispy Chicken, Prosciutto, and Arugula
Greek Watermelon Feta Salad with Basil Vinaigrette
Lastly, if you make this One Pot Melty Burrata Lemon Pesto Pasta, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
One Pot Melty Burrata Lemon Pesto Pasta
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 436 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 pound pasta
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
- 1 small shallot, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
- 3/4 cup basil pesto (homemade recipe in notes)
- 1/2 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- 8 ounces burrata cheese, at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, torn
- zest and juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
- 1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Boil the pasta to al dente, according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water. Drain.2. In the same pot set over medium-high heat, add the olive oil, shallot, garlic, thyme, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Cook another minute. Add the reserved pasta cooking water, the pasta, pesto, balsamic vinegar, and ricotta, stir until combined. Next, break the burrata over the pasta. Remove from the heat and gently stir until the cheese is melty. 3. Add the basil, lemon zest, lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat and serve immediately topped with additional basil. Enjoy!
Notes
Pistachio Basil PestoÂ
2 cups packed fresh basilÂ
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheeseÂ
1/4 cup toasted pistachiosÂ
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oilÂ
2 tablespoons lemon juiceÂ
sea saltÂ
Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender and blend until mostly smooth. Taste and season with salt and chili flakes, if desired. Pesto keep 1-2 weeks in the fridge.Â
Above, the recipe calls for 3/4 cup pesto. When I go to print the recipe it shows up as 3/4 tablespoon. I’m going to assume that was a typo? Thanks! Love your recipes!
Hey Luann,
Hmmm it should be fixed and be written as 3/4 cup of pesto. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
When do you add the balsamic vinegar?
Hey Sarah,
Sorry for any confusion, you are going to add the balsamic in step 2 with the pesto. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
I can’t eat ricotta, so could I substitute 2% cottage cheese?
Hey Linda,
Sure, that would work! Mascarpone would also be delicious! Please let me know if you try the recipe:) xTieghan
Can’t wait to try! When/where do you add the balsamic vinegar?
Hey Allison,
Sorry for any confusion, you are going to add the balsamic in step 2 with the pesto. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
This looks delicious and right up my alley with the pesto. Question, when does the balsamic vinegar come in? It’s not mentioned in the instructions at all. Thanks!
Hey Sophia,
Sorry for any confusion, you are going to add the balsamic in step 2 with the pesto. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
That sounds really good. Going to try that tonight. Thank you for sharing.
I hope you love the recipe Helen!
Looks so delicious! At what point do you add the balsamic vinegar?
Thanks!
Hey Suzie,
You will want to add the balsamic in step 2 with the pesto, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Where and when do you add the balsamic vinegar which is listed under ingredients?
Thanks
Hey Joan,
You are going to add the balsamic in step 2 with the pesto. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Do you just drizzle the balsamic over the top when the pasta is all done or mix it in? I don’t see it mentioned in the instructions.
Hey Allyson,
You are going to add the balsamic in step 2 with the pesto. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
When do we add the balsamic.
Thank you ?
Hey Sofia,
So sorry for any confusion, the balsamic will be added in step 2 with the pesto. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Would love to try this recipe, but the instructions appear incomplete. In the blog it says you’ve included the recipe for the pesto, however it’s not included. Is the balsamic vinegar supposed to be a condiment, as it’s not mentioned in the recipe either? Am I overlooking something? Looking forward to trying this at some point.
Hey Ann,
So sorry for any confusion, the balsamic will be added in step 2 with the pesto. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Good morning, Tieghan!
I look forward to receiving your emails but more importantly to making your recipes, including this one!
Could you please tell me how to make your pesto? I looked everywhere but couldn’t find it—thank you! It briefly said what to do in your storyline but I thought I better ask for the ingredients.
I love not only your delicious recipes but your beautifully expressed site and love reading about you and your family!!
Have a great day.
Susan
Hey Susan,
Thanks so much for your kind message! I have a great pesto recipe in the HBH Super Simple cookbook. Here are some others that you might like:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/kale-pesto-pasta/#wprm-recipe-container-87731
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/pesto-potato-salad/#wprm-recipe-container-77284
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Can’t wait to make this. Having your one pot creamy tomato basil pasta bake tonight. Love that recipe! Have you added chicken or shrimp to this dish?
Hey Ann,
I haven’t but either one of those would work well here! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
What do we do with the Balsamic Vinegar?
Hey Anne,
So sorry for any confusion, you will add the balsamic in step 2 with the pesto:) I hope the recipe turns out amazing for you! Please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
will be making this soon can i use vegan cheeses and pesto as am a vegan i love pasta and pesto sooooooooooooooooooooo much perfect for my after office meals will dm you if i make this and let you know how it goes Thanks Ramya
Thanks so much!!