Summer Burrata Pesto Pasta
&
Garden Gin Collins
A note from us
We always plant more basil than we could ever need. It takes over the deck railing every summer, and this pasta is one of our favorite ways to use it up. Basil pesto, burst tomatoes, and a whole burrata in the center for good measure.
Make the pesto first and let the tomatoes do their thing low and slow while you toss everything together. It comes together faster than it looks, and the payoff is a bowl that feels a lot fancier than the effort it takes.
We kept it simple on the cocktail side this week and brought back our Garden Gin Collins, which happens to be basil forward too. Cucumber, lime, and a little fizz to keep things light next to a rich bowl of pasta.
Kevin & Kate
The Cocktail
Garden Gin Collins
The Menu
Summer Burrata Pesto Pasta
Cook Along with Us
Your Weekly Essentials
Everything you’ll need to make this meal — plus a few pantry staples you probably already have.
One of you can make the pesto and breadcrumbs while the other bursts the tomatoes and cooks the pasta. Everything meets in the skillet at the end.
What is something small this summer that has made you unexpectedly happy?
notes from the kitchen
Just a few kitchen tips to make the most of this week's ingredients and flavors.
PASTA SWAP
Rigatoni is our go to here, but any similar shape works just as well. Penne, casarecce, or fusilli will all hold the pesto and burst tomatoes beautifully.
TOASTED BREAD, OPTIONAL
We originally served this with grilled ciabatta, but honestly found it was too much food alongside the pasta. If you want it anyway, skip the grill and toast slices in a skillet with a little olive oil and a smashed garlic clove over medium heat until golden on both sides.
ADD A PROTEIN
We think this dish is plenty filling on its own, but if you want to add protein, shrimp is our pick. Sauté it in the skillet before you burst the tomatoes, then set it aside and add it back in at the end.
THE FOOD PROCESSOR WE USE
You will need a food processor for the pesto, though a blender can work in a pinch. Ours has a small scraper on the lid that helps keep everything moving without stopping to scrape the sides as often. → Shop our favorite food processor
GROWING YOUR OWN BASIL
If you have ever wondered where all our basil comes from, we grow it in containers on our deck railing along with the rest of our herb garden. We wrote all about how we set it up. → Read our small space herb garden guide
Heads up: We may earn a small commission on products we’ve linked here. We only recommend the real-deal favorites from our kitchen.
We hope you enjoy this week's menu. And as always,
Keep the Plates Full and the Spark Alive
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