Burrata Toast with Roasted Tomatoes & Pesto Drizzle

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Are you on the hunt for a dish that appears wonderfully sophisticated, yet is surprisingly straightforward to prepare? Perhaps a recipe that is equally perfect for a relaxed weekend brunch, an elegant starter, or a light yet fulfilling lunch? Your search is over. Allow us to introduce you to what will surely become your new culinary obsession: the magnificent Burrata Toast with Roasted Tomatoes & Pesto Drizzle. This creation marries the decadent creaminess of burrata, the sweet depth of oven-roasted tomatoes, the vibrant, herby kick of pesto, and the delightful crunch of expertly toasted artisan bread. It is a true harmony of textures and flavours that is bound to impress you and your guests.

Within this guide, we shall accompany you through each stage required to craft this masterpiece right in your own kitchen. We will cover all the details, from selecting the finest ingredients to the final assembly of the perfect toast. Prepare to elevate your cooking with remarkable ease!

Why We Absolutely Adore This Recipe

Before we get to the method, let us share precisely why this dish is such a triumph. This is so much more than simple cheese on toast; it’s a complete sensory experience. Here is why we are certain you will cherish it just as we do:

Effortlessly Elegant: It boasts the appearance of a dish served in a fine dining establishment, which makes it an ideal simple appetiser for impressing company.
Incredibly Flavourful: The medley of creamy, sweet, savoury, and herbaceous notes achieves a perfect balance that is utterly delectable.
Quick & Easy: Despite its refined look, you can have this dish on the table in less than 30 minutes. It is the ultimate answer for a hectic weeknight or an impromptu gathering.
Versatile & Customisable: This recipe provides a brilliant foundation. Feel free to add some prosciutto, a swirl of balsamic glaze, or a dash of chilli flakes to truly make it your own.
A Celebration of Fresh Ingredients: It beautifully showcases the inherent quality of simple, premium ingredients, transforming them into something quite extraordinary.

The Ingredients You’ll Need

The true charm of this recipe is rooted in its simplicity, which means that using fresh, high-quality components will elevate the final result. Here is the list of what we suggest you gather for the ultimate burrata toast.

For the Roasted Tomatoes:

250g cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
A pinch of sea salt
A pinch of black pepper

For the Toast & Assembly:

4 thick slices of sourdough, ciabatta, or other crusty artisan bread
1 large ball of burrata cheese (around 200-250g), at room temperature
2-3 tablespoons of good-quality basil pesto
Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
A drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, for finishing
Flaky sea salt, for finishing

Step-by-Step Instructions to Create Your Masterpiece

Crafting this beautiful dish is simpler than you might imagine. We have organised the process into three easy-to-follow stages: roasting the tomatoes, toasting the bread, and bringing it all together. Follow our guide for a flawless outcome every time.

Step 1: Roast the Tomatoes to Perfection

First, we need to draw out the intense, sweet flavour of the tomatoes. This is an essential step in building the deep flavour base for our dish.

Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C Fan / Gas Mark 6).
On a small baking sheet, gently toss the halved tomatoes with the olive oil, sliced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Ensure everything is evenly coated and arrange them in a single layer.
Roast for 15-20 minutes, until the tomatoes have softened, blistered, and are beautifully caramelised at the edges. The fragrance will be incredible! Once ready, set them to one side. These roasted cherry tomatoes form the delicious heart of the recipe.

Step 2: Prepare the Perfect Sourdough Toast

The foundation of our dish must be robust, crunchy, and tasty. Selecting the right bread and toasting it correctly is absolutely vital.

As the tomatoes are roasting, you can get the bread ready. We believe that thickly sliced sourdough offers the superior flavour and structure, making it one of our top sourdough toast ideas.
You can toast your bread slices in a toaster, place them under the grill, or heat them in a hot griddle pan. We particularly enjoy brushing each side with a little olive oil and pan-grilling them until they are golden-brown and crisp. This technique adds a wonderful layer of flavour.
For a subtle hint of garlic, you can rub a halved garlic clove over the warm toast surface just after it’s done.

Step 3: Assemble Your Burrata Toast

Now we reach the most gratifying stage: putting all the prepared components together. This is where the dish truly comes to life!

Arrange the warm, toasted bread on a serving board or on individual plates.
Gently tear open the burrata ball with your fingers, letting the creamy stracciatella centre ooze out. Apportion the cheese evenly across the four toasts, spreading it softly over the top.
Spoon the warm roasted tomatoes, along with all their flavourful juices, over the bed of creamy burrata.
Drizzle a generous amount of basil pesto over the tomatoes. You can create an elegant swirl or a more rustic, scattered pattern.
Garnish with a few fresh basil leaves, a final flourish of high-quality extra virgin olive oil, and a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt.
Serve straight away to be enjoyed at its best, savouring the fantastic mix of flavours and textures.

Expert Tips for the Best Burrata Toast

Are you ready to transform your burrata toast from delicious to truly memorable? Here are a few of our insider tips to help you do just that.

Use Room Temperature Burrata: Let the burrata sit out of the fridge for around 30 minutes before you plan to serve it. This allows its full flavour profile to emerge and ensures the centre is beautifully luscious and creamy, rather than cold and hard.
Don’t Skimp on Bread Quality: A substantial, flavourful bread like sourdough or ciabatta is non-negotiable. It needs to be sturdy enough to support the toppings without turning soggy.
Make Your Own Pesto: While shop-bought pesto works in a pinch, nothing compares to homemade. It takes just a few moments to whizz up fresh basil, pine nuts, Parmesan, garlic, and olive oil in a food processor for a far superior taste.
Balance with Acidity: To add an extra dimension of flavour, consider a delicate drizzle of a quality balsamic glaze over the top right before serving. Its tangy sweetness provides a lovely counterpoint to the rich cheese.

Variations and Delicious Substitutions

This creamy burrata recipe is a brilliant canvas for your culinary imagination. Below are some of our preferred ways to add a twist:

Add Some Prosciutto: For a salty, savoury note, gently drape a slice or two of prosciutto or Parma ham over the top of the tomatoes.
Go Fruity: During the summer months, try swapping the roasted tomatoes for slices of fresh, juicy peaches or figs, finishing with a drizzle of honey instead of pesto.
Spice It Up: A sprinkle of red pepper flakes over the final dish will introduce a gentle, pleasant warmth.
Mushroom Magic: Sautéed garlic mushrooms offer a wonderfully earthy and savoury alternative to roasted tomatoes.
Embrace Other Cheeses: If you are a fan of cheesy tomato bread, we think you will also love our recipe for The Ultimate Avocado Mozzarella Tomato Grilled Cheese, which gives a different yet equally comforting cheesy experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What exactly is burrata?

Burrata is a fresh Italian cheese made from cow’s milk, consisting of a solid mozzarella pouch filled with cream and soft, stringy curds known as stracciatella. This gives it an exceptionally rich and decadent texture. For a more detailed explanation, have a look at this great article on what burrata is from Bon Appétit.

Can I prepare any components ahead of time?

Of course! The tomatoes can be roasted up to two days beforehand and kept in the fridge in an airtight container. We suggest gently warming them up before you assemble the toasts. For the best texture, we recommend toasting the bread and assembling everything right before you intend to serve it.

What should I serve with Burrata Toast with Roasted Tomatoes & Pesto Drizzle?

This dish is fantastic as a light meal by itself, perhaps accompanied by a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette. When served as a starter, it pairs wonderfully with a wide range of main dishes. For an Italian-themed meal, it would serve as an excellent prelude to a satisfying pasta dish such as The Ultimate Garlic Butter Chicken Parmesan Pasta Recipe.

Is this recipe a type of bruschetta?

Indeed, you could consider it a decadent and contemporary version of traditional bruschetta. It is built upon the same fundamental concept of toasted bread with fresh toppings, which makes it an easy bruschetta alternative that is guaranteed to impress your guests.

Conclusion: Your New Go-To Recipe Awaits

We feel sure that this Burrata Toast with Roasted Tomatoes & Pesto Drizzle is destined to become a beloved favourite in your culinary repertoire. It is a shining example of how a handful of simple, high-quality ingredients can be elevated into something truly magnificent. This is a dish that proves you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to produce food that is both visually stunning and incredibly delicious.

So, we encourage you to head to the kitchen, gather your ingredients, and give yourself the gift of this amazing dish. We would be delighted to see your own versions! Please share your pictures on social media and tag us, or drop a comment below to tell us what you thought. Happy cooking!