Baked Burrata with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
Description
Baked Burrata with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes is a simple yet luxurious appetiser that turns a handful of fresh ingredients into something incredibly flavourful. Juicy cherry tomatoes are roasted with garlic, olive oil, salt, black pepper, and a touch of red pepper flakes until they become tender, blistered, and slightly caramelised. A creamy ball of burrata is then nestled among the warm tomatoes, allowing its rich, milky centre to soften slightly from the heat.
Finished with fresh basil and parsley, this dish has the perfect combination of sweet, savoury, creamy, garlicky, and fresh flavours. Serve it with toasted crusty bread or crostini and let the bread soak up the delicious roasted tomato juices and creamy burrata.
It is elegant enough for a dinner party but easy enough for a relaxed weekend snack.
Recipe Details
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
Total Time: 30–35 minutes
Servings: 4–6 as an appetizer
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1 ball burrata cheese, approximately 8 oz
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- Crusty bread or crostini, for serving
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Use a small-to-medium baking dish that is large enough to hold the tomatoes in a mostly single layer while leaving enough room for the burrata.
For easier cleanup, you can lightly grease the baking dish or use a small oven-safe skillet.
2. Prepare the Tomatoes
Wash the cherry tomatoes and pat them dry. Add them to the baking dish.
Add the minced garlic, olive oil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Toss everything together until the tomatoes are evenly coated.
Try to distribute the garlic around the tomatoes rather than leaving it in one concentrated pile. This allows it to roast gently and infuse the olive oil with wonderful flavour.
3. Roast the Tomatoes
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and roast for approximately 15–20 minutes.
The tomatoes should become soft and juicy, with some of their skins beginning to blister or split. The edges may develop a lightly caramelised appearance.
If you prefer more deeply roasted tomatoes, continue cooking for another 5 minutes.
4. Add the burrata.
Remove the baking dish from the oven.
Carefully place the 8-ounce burrata ball in the centre of the roasted tomatoes. Return the dish to the oven for approximately 3–5 minutes, just until the burrata is warmed and slightly softened.
You don’t want to completely melt the burrata. The goal is to warm the outside while keeping its creamy interior intact.
5. Finish with Fresh Herbs
Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for about 2 minutes.
Sprinkle the fresh basil and chopped parsley over the tomatoes and burrata.
For an extra touch of flavour, you can add another small drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and a light sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper.
6. Serve
Serve immediately while the tomatoes are warm and the burrata is soft and creamy.
Slice or gently tear into the burrata so the creamy centre spreads into the roasted tomatoes. Serve alongside toasted crusty bread or crostini.
Dip the bread directly into the burrata and tomato mixture so you get a little of everything in every bite.
Notes
Use ripe cherry tomatoes: Since tomatoes are the main ingredient, their quality makes a big difference. Choose tomatoes that are firm, colourful, and naturally sweet.
Don’t overbake the burrata: Burrata is delicate. A few minutes of gentle heat is enough to soften it. Overcooking can cause it to lose its beautiful creamy texture.
Bring burrata closer to room temperature: If your burrata is refrigerator-cold, let it sit at room temperature for about 15–20 minutes before baking. This helps it warm more evenly.
Adjust the spice: The red pepper flakes provide a subtle kick. Add more if you enjoy spicy food or leave them out for a completely mild version.
Use good olive oil: extra-virgin olive oil becomes part of the sauce as the tomatoes roast, so a flavourful olive oil is worth using.
Serve immediately: This dish is at its best when the tomatoes are warm and juicy and the burrata is soft and creamy.
Helpful Tips for the Best Baked Burrata
Don’t overcrowd the tomatoes
Arrange the tomatoes in a fairly even layer. If they are packed too tightly, they will steam instead of roast, resulting in softer tomatoes with less caramelisation.
Roast until blistered
Don’t worry if some tomato skins split during roasting. That’s exactly what you want. The juices released from the tomatoes combine with the olive oil and garlic to create an incredibly flavourful base.
Toast the bread
For the best experience, slice a rustic baguette or sourdough and toast it until golden around the edges. A slightly crisp surface provides the perfect contrast to the creamy burrata.
Add the herbs at the end
Fresh basil and parsley are best added after roasting. Their fresh flavour and aroma are much brighter when they aren’t exposed to prolonged oven heat.
Don’t forget the tomato juices
The liquid at the bottom of the baking dish is full of roasted tomato, garlic, and olive oil flavour. Spoon it over the bread along with the burrata.
Serving Suggestions
This baked burrata makes a beautiful appetiser for dinner parties, holiday gatherings, date nights, or weekend meals.
Serve it with:
- Toasted sourdough
- Baguette slices
- Crostini
- Whole-grain crackers
- Grilled bread
- Focaccia
- Fresh green salad
- Mediterranean vegetable platter
For a larger appetiser spread, pair it with olives, roasted vegetables, hummus, cucumber, artichokes, and other Mediterranean-inspired dishes.
You can also serve the tomatoes and burrata over toasted bread for a more substantial light lunch.
Variations
Balsamic Baked Burrata
After removing the dish from the oven, drizzle a small amount of balsamic glaze over the tomatoes and burrata. The sweet-tart flavour works beautifully with the creamy cheese.
Lemon Herb Burrata
Add a little fresh lemon zest after baking along with the basil and parsley. The citrus brightens the richness of the burrata.
Pesto Burrata
Add a spoonful of basil pesto just before serving. The combination of pesto, roasted tomatoes, and burrata is especially delicious.
Mediterranean Version
Add Kalamata olives, oregano, and a few crumbled walnuts before serving for extra texture and Mediterranean flavour.
Extra-Garlicky Version
If you’re a garlic lover, use 3 cloves instead of 2. Roasted garlic becomes mellow and slightly sweet, making it perfect with the tomatoes and burrata.
Approximate Nutritional Information
Per serving, assuming 6 appetiser servings and excluding bread:
- Calories: ~190
- Protein: ~7 g
- Fat: ~16 g
- Carbohydrates: ~6 g
- Fiber: ~1.5 g
- Sugar: ~4 g
- Sodium: ~330 mg
Nutrition values are estimates and can vary depending on the specific burrata, olive oil, tomatoes, and serving size used.
If served with bread, calories and carbohydrates will increase depending on the type and amount of bread.
Benefits
Provides Protein and Fat
Burrata provides protein along with fat, which can help make a small appetiser more satisfying. The combination of creamy cheese and vegetables can also make the dish feel indulgent without requiring a complicated recipe.
Tomatoes Provide Antioxidants
Cherry tomatoes contain beneficial plant compounds, including lycopene, as well as vitamin C and other antioxidants. Cooking tomatoes with olive oil can also create a flavourful way to incorporate them into your meals.
Olive Oil Adds Healthy Fats
Extra-virgin olive oil contributes monounsaturated fat and is a staple of Mediterranean-style cooking.
Fresh Herbs Add Flavor
Basil and parsley add freshness, aroma, and small amounts of vitamins and plant compounds without needing a heavy sauce.
Easy Vegetable-Based Appetizer
The recipe uses tomatoes as the main vegetable component, making it an easy way to add more produce to an appetiser spread.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular mozzarella instead of burrata?
Yes. Fresh mozzarella can work, although the result won’t have the same creamy centre. If using mozzarella, add it toward the end of cooking and bake just until softened.
Can I prepare this ahead of time?
You can roast the tomatoes ahead of time and refrigerate them. When ready to serve, warm the tomatoes and then add the burrata for the final few minutes. Fresh burrata is best served soon after opening.
Can I use larger tomatoes?
Yes, but cut larger tomatoes into halves or smaller pieces so they roast evenly. Cherry or grape tomatoes are particularly convenient because they become juicy and caramelised while retaining their shape.
Can I make this without spicy pepper flakes?
Absolutely. Simply leave them out. The recipe will still have plenty of flavour from the garlic, olive oil, tomatoes, and herbs.
What bread works best?
A crusty baguette, sourdough, ciabatta, or rustic Italian bread works beautifully. Toasting the bread gives you a crisp texture that contrasts with the creamy burrata.
Can I use dried herbs?
Fresh basil is strongly recommended because it provides a bright finish. If necessary, a small amount of dried oregano can be used during roasting, but add fresh basil at the end whenever possible.
How do I store leftovers?
Store leftover roasted tomatoes and burrata separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. For the best texture, consume the burrata according to its package instructions and use the roasted tomatoes within a few days.
Can I serve this as a main dish?
Yes, especially for a light lunch. Serve the roasted tomatoes and burrata over toasted sourdough with a large green salad, or add grilled vegetables and beans for a more complete meal.
Why is my burrata watery?
A small amount of liquid around burrata is normal because burrata contains cream and fresh cheese. Drain excess liquid before placing it in the baking dish if needed.
Final Thoughts
Baked Burrata with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes is proof that a great appetiser doesn’t need a long ingredient list or complicated techniques. Sweet roasted tomatoes, fragrant garlic, fruity olive oil, creamy burrata, and fresh herbs come together in one warm, irresistible dish.