Creamy Burrata and Pea Shoot Orecchiette
A quick and easy pasta dish featuring creamy burrata cheese and fresh pea shoots, perfect for spring and summer meals. This recipe balances indulgent creaminess with fresh greens for a memorable and comforting meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces (340g) orecchiette pasta
- 8 ounces (225g) burrata cheese
- 2 cups loosely packed (about 40g) pea shoots
- 1 cup (30g) fresh greens mix such as arugula or baby kale
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Zest and juice of 1 medium lemon
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (50g)
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes, optional pinch
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orecchiette and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes.
- Reserve 1 cup (240ml) of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta in a colander without rinsing.
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute, being careful not to brown.
- Add fresh greens and pea shoots to the skillet. Toss gently and cook until just wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
- Lower the heat and add the drained pasta back into the skillet. Tear burrata into chunks and add it in. Pour about half a cup (120ml) of reserved pasta water to help melt the cheese and create a creamy sauce.
- Gently toss everything together, adding more pasta water as needed to reach desired creaminess.
- Turn off heat and stir in lemon zest and juice. Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
- Serve immediately topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
Be gentle when tossing pasta with burrata to keep some creamy chunks intact. Let burrata sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before adding if too cold. Avoid overcooking greens to keep them bright and fresh. Save pasta water to create a silky sauce. Avoid the white pith when zesting lemon.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4
- Calories: 480
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 60
- Protein: 15
Keywords: burrata, pea shoots, orecchiette, creamy pasta, spring recipe, easy pasta, fresh greens, vegetarian