10 brilliant burrata recipes starring everyone’s favourite creamy cheese
Burrata has been a huge hit on restaurant menus in recent years. This decadent, creamy Italian cheese has become a brunch mainstay, a starter star and a popular addition to pasta, salads and other mains. And here’s the good news: it’s now easy to find burrata in cheesemongers and supermarkets, too – discover where below.
If you fancy adding some burrata indulgence to your dinner, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve rounded up 10 brilliant recipes using the oozy cheese, which is made with mozzarella and cream. Our best-ever burrata dishes include salads for every season, simple starters, pasta, pizza and flatbreads. Scroll on for more creamy deliciousness…
What is burrata?
Burrata is a fresh cow’s milk cheese from Puglia, Italy. The white cheese has a distinctive soft spherical shell made of mozzarella. Cut into the burrata to find a rich, soft and gooey centre of stracciatella – mozzarella curds with cream. Burrata’s shape makes it an attractive addition to restaurant starters and other dishes (it looks great plated up with colourful fruits, veg and herbs and is dramatic to cut open), while its decadent, creamy flavour with a slight acidic tang means it’s popular with diners. Burrata can sometimes be made with buffalo milk (burrata di bufala). Traditional burrata is made with animal rennet, but many brands are now made with vegetable-based rennet and are fine for vegetarians (check on the wrapper).
Where can I buy burrata?
Burrata is now widely available to buy in the UK. Asda sells fresh burrata as part of its Exceptional range. Other nationwide stockists include Aldi, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and M&S. Source burrata online from Ocado, Delicatezza or try the burrata di buffala from The Fine Cheese Company. Once you’ve got hold of this magical cheese, try it in one of our easy burrata recipes.
10 of our best burrata recipes
Orecchiette with burrata, chilli and anchovy
Burrata can transform weeknight pasta into something special. This filling pasta dish for two is packed with contrasting flavours and textures: creamy cheese, chilli heat, the crunch of breadcrumbs and the umami base note of anchovies. Just add wine and your current Netflix obsession.
Tomato, mango and burrata chaat
Food writer Gurdeep Loyal has created an Indian–Italian riot of colours and textures in this joyful spin on the Indian street-food favourite chaat. Juicy mango and tangy tamarind meet the acidity of tomatoes and creamy burrata – with crispy curry leaves and puffed rice for extra crunch.
Brown butter pumpkin salad with pomegranate and burrata
Burrata isn’t just for summer. Try it in this autumnal salad, layered up with thick slices of pumpkin, sharp pomegranate seeds and a rich brown butter and maple syrup dressing.
Baked ‘nduja and burrata dip with olive breadsticks
Burrata shares top billing with another currently fashionable Italian ingredient in this easy dip recipe. ‘Nduja is a fiery, spreadable sauce from Calabria. In this sharing dip its spiciness is offset by the cooling creaminess of the burrata, while orange zest helps cut through the richness. Make the homemade breadsticks if you’re feeling extra diligent (but we won’t tell anyone if you opt for shop-bought).
Truffled mushroom pasta with burrata
Looking for a romantic dish for two? Switch out steak and chips for this special pasta. Toss silky pappardelle in a creamy mushroom and truffle sauce, then finish with a ball of burrata for indulgence at its finest.
Blood orange, burrata and cashew salad
Proving that burrata is a cheese for all seasons, this recipe pairs the cheese with some midwinter favourites. Perfect as a Christmas starter, this salad teams peppery chicory leaves and sharp blood orange with cashews, burrata and a mulled wine glaze.
Burrata, tomato and strawberry salad
Burrata is the star turn in this seasonal salad. Make it for lunch or as a starter in late summer – when the tomatoes are ripe but before the strawberries have started to fade. A moment in time, marked with the best fresh ingredients.
Sausage, fennel and burrata flatbreads
Food writer Gill Meller’s flatbread recipe is one you’ll come back to time and again. These sausage and fennel breads are wonderful grilled on the barbecue in summer, giving the dough a smoky char. But they’re equally delicious cooked in a hot frying pan at any time of year, finished with creamy dollops of torn burrata.
Burrata with pickled cherries and hazelnuts
A stunning starter from chef Ambra Papa for when you want to impress. Place the burrata slightly off-centre on the plate before festooning with pickled cherries, edible flowers, salad leaves and hazelnuts.
Cherry tomato, burrata and herb pesto pizzas
Switch out mozzarella for burrata to give pizza night an upgrade. Use shop-bought bases, quick homemade flatbreads or try our basic pizza dough, before going to town with the toppings.
Hungry for more? Browse our complete burrata recipes collection. Buon appetito!