Baked burrata and tomato appetizer is the perfect dish to serve to your guests this summer. It’s simple to make, yet impressive, and packed full of flavor–the perfect starter dish for entertaining. This dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser, and it will leave your guests begging for more.
What is Burrata?
Let’s talk about the star of the show: Burrata. Burrata is a fresh Italian cheese made from mozzarella and cream. The cheese has a soft, creamy center that oozes out when you cut into it. Burrata is typically served at room temperature and is a popular addition to salads, pasta dishes, and pizzas.
You can find burrata at Costco
Burrata has become quite popular as of late and widely available at most local grocery stores. However, if you’re looking for a great deal, Costco is the place to go. You can typically find burrata as well as other cheeses at a fraction of the price you’d pay at a specialty cheese shop.
The Belgioioso Burrata which is available at Costco in a 16 oz container. The pearly burrata balls are hand-formed and immersed in water to retain freshness. It has a smooth exterior and the center is filled with mozzarella soaked in cream. While fresh and delicious, the burrata balls are quite small in size which can impact the overall “wow factor” when you slice them open.
Roasting the tomatoes and garlic
One of the key components of this Baked Burrata appetizer is the roasted tomatoes and garlic. Roasting the tomatoes and garlic in olive oil brings out their natural sweetness and adds depth of flavor to the dish. Cherry tomatoes work best for this recipe because they’re small and sweet. If you don’t have cherry tomatoes on hand, you can chop up whole tomatoes into bite-sized pieces.
To roast the tomatoes and garlic, preheat your oven to 400°F. Toss the tomatoes and garlic cloves in olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Spread them out on a baking sheet and add a few dollops of pesto. Roast in the oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the tomatoes are bursting and the garlic is golden brown.
Can I use store-bought pesto?
Yes! You can absolutely use store-bought pesto for this recipe. Any pesto will do, but if you’re a Costco shopper, you have to try their Kirkland Signature pesto. It’s a beloved Costco item, and for good reason. The pesto has a bright, fresh flavor that’s perfect for summer dishes. It’s made with Genovese basil and uses pine nuts instead of walnuts which you may find in other store-bought pestos. I always pick up a jar of Kirkland pesto during my Costco runs. Once the jar is opened, I use what I need then freeze the remaining in an ice cube tray to use for future recipes.
Serve with Crusty Bread on the Side
This baked burrata and tomato appetizer is best served with crusty bread on the side. Toasted baguette slices are the perfect vehicle to deliver the ingredients into your mouth. To make the bread, slice a baguette into 1/2 inch slices and place them on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake in the oven at 350°F for 8-10 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and crispy.
Baked Burrata and Tomatoes with Pesto
Ingredients
- 4 oz burrata
- 1 lb cherry tomatoes
- 6 cloves garlic, peeled and whole
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup pesto
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (*optional)
- 2 tbsp honey
- salt and pepper to taste
Toasted baguette slices
- 1 loaf baguette, sliced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
- To an oven-safe baking pan or cast iron pan, add tomatoes and garlic. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (*optional)
- Add dollops of pesto over the tomatoes and garlic. Bake for 40 minutes.
- Remove pan from oven and place 2 to 3 burrata balls over the pan. Drizzle a little olive oil over the burrata balls and season with salt and pepper, then drizzle with honey.
- Enjoy with crusty bread on the side.
Baked baguette slices
- Lay sliced baguettes on a baking pan and drizzle with olive oil on both sides. Alternatively, you can add about 1/4 cup of olive oil to a small bowl and use a basting brush to spread the olive oil evenly on both sides of the baguette slices. Season with salt and pepper.
- Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 minutes, flipping halfway through.
