Burrata Pesto Shells with Toasted Pine Nut Topping
Tender pasta shells are tossed in a vibrant basil pesto, topped with creamy burrata, and finished with buttery toasted pine nuts for crunch. It’s a fresh yet indulgent dish perfect for a weeknight dinner or entertaining guests.
Time
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Total time: 25 minutes
Servings:4
Ingredients
12 oz (340 g) medium pasta shells
1 ball burrata cheese (about 4 oz), torn into pieces
1/3 cup pine nuts
2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt & black pepper, to taste
For the Pesto :
2 cups fresh basil leaves
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 clove garlic
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Pinch of salt
Instructions
Cook Pasta → Bring salted water to a boil, cook pasta shells until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
Make Pesto (if homemade) → In a food processor, blend basil, pine nuts, Parmesan, garlic, lemon juice, and salt. Slowly drizzle in olive oil until smooth.
Toast Pine Nuts → In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add pine nuts and toast until golden (2–3 minutes). Remove from heat.
Combine Pasta & Pesto → Toss hot shells with pesto, adding a splash of reserved pasta water for creaminess. Stir in Parmesan.
Finish with Burrata → Plate pasta, top with torn burrata, drizzle with olive oil, and season with black pepper. Sprinkle toasted pine nuts on top.
Serve → Garnish with extra basil leaves and a squeeze of lemon. Serve warm.
Notes & Tips
Extra Veggies → Add roasted zucchini, cherry tomatoes, or spinach for freshness.
Nut-Free Version → Use sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds instead of pine nuts.
Make Ahead → Pesto can be made 2–3 days in advance and stored in the fridge.
For More Creaminess → Stir a spoonful of ricotta into the pesto-coated shells before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use another pasta shape?
Yes — orecchiette, rigatoni, or penne also work well.
Q: Can I serve this cold as a pasta salad?
Definitely! Skip the buttered pine nuts (or keep them), and toss with a bit more olive oil before chilling.
Q: Is burrata necessary?
Not strictly — mozzarella or stracciatella are good substitutes, but burrata gives the creamiest finish.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 510
Protein: 16g
Carbohydrates: 55g
Fat: 25g
Fiber: 3g