If you’re looking for a dish that’s simple, elegant, and bursting with flavor, you’re going to love this Roasted Tomato Burrata with Balsamic Recipe. I discovered this little gem a few summers ago, and it quickly became my go-to appetizer whenever friends come over. Imagine sweet, roasted grape tomatoes paired with creamy burrata, and then all of that happiness drizzled with a tangy, luscious balsamic reduction. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll want to make it again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simplicity at its Best: Minimal ingredients come together for maximum flavor.
- Impressive Presentation: Looks fancy but is so easy, perfect for entertaining.
- Fresh and Creamy Contrast: Roasted tomatoes paired with soft burrata and tangy balsamic hit all the right notes.
- Versatile and Crowd-Pleasing: Works great as an appetizer, snack, or even a light meal with some crusty bread.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Roasted Tomato Burrata with Balsamic Recipe plays a crucial role. Freshness is key—especially with the tomatoes and basil—so shop for the best quality you can find to really make this dish shine.
- Grape tomatoes: Small, sweet, and perfect for roasting evenly.
- Garlic cloves: Thinly sliced for just the right subtle kick without overpowering.
- Olive oil: Use a good-quality extra virgin olive oil for richness.
- Dried oregano: Adds an aromatic herbal note that complements the tomatoes beautifully.
- Kosher salt: Enhances flavor without being too harsh.
- Burrata cheese: The star of the show—creamy, mild, and perfectly soft.
- Balsamic vinegar: Reduced down to a syrupy glaze for that sweet-tart finish.
- Fresh basil: Bright and fragrant, this garnish really freshens up the dish.
- Sliced French baguette: For scooping up all that deliciousness.
Variations
I love how versatile this Roasted Tomato Burrata with Balsamic Recipe is, so don’t be shy about making it your own. Whether you want to dial up the herbs or swap in a different cheese, this dish adjusts beautifully.
- Add Fresh Thyme or Rosemary: I’ve tossed in fresh sprigs during roasting, and it adds a lovely, earthy note that’s a nice twist.
- Use Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes: If you can find them, heirlooms add extra depth and color flare.
- Swap Burrata for Fresh Mozzarella: For a bit less creaminess but still a soft, milky cheese experience.
- Make it Spicy: Adding a pinch of red chili flakes before roasting brings a subtle heat that wakes up the whole dish.
How to Make Roasted Tomato Burrata with Balsamic Recipe
Step 1: Roast Your Tomatoes to Perfection
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a small baking dish, toss the grape tomatoes, thinly sliced garlic, dried oregano, olive oil, and a good pinch of kosher salt. Make sure the tomatoes are evenly coated — this is what gives them that beautifully roasted, slightly caramelized flavor. Pop them in the oven for about 30 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when they’re soft and bursting with juicy sweetness.
Step 2: Make the Balsamic Reduction
While your tomatoes are roasting, pour the balsamic vinegar into a small saucepan and bring it to a simmer over medium-high heat. Turn the heat down and let it gently simmer for 12-15 minutes until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon. This step is crucial — the reduced balsamic will add a rich, tangy sweetness that balances the creaminess of the burrata perfectly. Set it aside to cool.
Step 3: Assemble and Serve
Once your roasted tomatoes come out of the oven, immediately top them with the burrata cheese. The warmth from the tomatoes will soften the burrata just right. Drizzle generously with your balsamic reduction and sprinkle fresh basil leaves over the top for a pop of color and fresh flavor. Serve with sliced French baguette — perfect for scooping up all the luscious, melty goodness.
Pro Tips for Making Roasted Tomato Burrata with Balsamic Recipe
- Even Roasting Matters: Spread tomatoes in a single layer to ensure even caramelization and avoid sogginess.
- Watch the Balsamic Closely: Balsamic can quickly burn; keep an eye on it and remove from heat as soon as it thickens.
- Use Room-Temperature Burrata: It melts slightly over the warm tomatoes for that perfect creamy texture.
- Fresh Basil is a Must: Add it right before serving to preserve its bright color and flavor.
How to Serve Roasted Tomato Burrata with Balsamic Recipe
Garnishes
I like to keep it simple with fresh basil leaves — the sweet herb brings such a fresh lift to the richness of the burrata and the sweet-tart balsamic drizzle. Sometimes I add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt or cracked black pepper on top for an extra layer of flavor that really wakes up the palate.
Side Dishes
This dish shines as an appetizer with a nice glass of chilled white wine, but if you want to turn it into a light meal, I recommend pairing it with some simple arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette or a crispy prosciutto plate. A crusty baguette or toasted crostini rounds out the experience perfectly so there’s no escaping that sauce!
Creative Ways to Present
For gatherings, I’ve served this Roasted Tomato Burrata with Balsamic Recipe in individual mini bowls or on large platters surrounded by different types of bread and even roasted nuts for crunch. It’s also fabulous on a charcuterie board with olives, cured meats, and honeycomb — the visual contrast is stunning and your guests will be thrilled!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, transfer the roasted tomatoes and garlic into an airtight container and refrigerate. Keep the burrata and balsamic reduction separate to avoid sogginess. The tomatoes can last about 3-4 days in the fridge, but fresh is always best for this dish.
Freezing
Since this recipe relies on fresh burrata and basil, I don’t recommend freezing fully assembled portions. However, you can freeze the roasted tomatoes without the cheese for up to 2 months and thaw gently before serving.
Reheating
To reheat leftovers, gently warm the roasted tomatoes in a skillet over low heat or in the oven at 300°F until warm but not mushy. Add fresh burrata and basil right before serving to keep that creamy, fresh contrast intact.
FAQs
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Can I use other types of tomatoes for this Roasted Tomato Burrata with Balsamic Recipe?
Absolutely! While grape tomatoes work best for their sweetness and size, you can use cherry tomatoes or even small heirloom tomatoes. Just adjust roasting time as needed since larger tomatoes may take longer to soften.
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Is there a substitute for burrata cheese?
If you can’t find burrata, fresh mozzarella balls are a good alternative. They won’t be quite as creamy inside, but will still offer a soft, milky texture that pairs nicely with the roasted tomatoes and balsamic glaze.
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How do I make sure my balsamic reduction doesn’t burn?
Simmer your balsamic vinegar over low to medium heat, and keep a close watch especially after it starts thickening around the 10-minute mark. Remove it from heat as soon as it can coat the back of a spoon to prevent burning and bitterness.
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Can this recipe be made ahead of time?
You can roast the tomatoes and prepare the balsamic reduction in advance, then assemble with burrata and fresh basil just before serving to maintain freshness and texture.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Roasted Tomato Burrata with Balsamic Recipe combines simple ingredients into a stunning dish that screams summer warmth and flavor. It’s one of those recipes that feels special but doesn’t require hours in the kitchen, which is perfect for me (and I bet for you too!). Whether you’re hosting friends or treating yourself to a cozy evening, this recipe always hits the spot. Give it a try — grab some juicy tomatoes, fresh burrata, and a bottle of balsamic, and you’ll thank me later!
Print
Roasted Tomato Burrata with Balsamic Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Roasted Tomatoes with Burrata & Balsamic recipe is a flavorful summer appetizer featuring sweet grape tomatoes roasted to perfection with garlic and oregano, topped with creamy burrata cheese, and finished with a tangy homemade balsamic reduction. Served with fresh basil and crusty sliced French baguette, it makes an elegant yet easy dish perfect for entertaining or a light snack.
Ingredients
Tomatoes and Seasoning
- 2 pints grape tomatoes
- 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Kosher salt, to taste
Cheese and Garnish
- 8 oz. burrata cheese
- fresh basil for garnish
Balsamic Reduction
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
Serving
- sliced French baguette for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for roasting the tomatoes.
- Prepare Tomatoes: In a small baking dish, combine the grape tomatoes, thinly sliced garlic, dried oregano, olive oil, and a pinch of kosher salt. Toss everything to evenly coat the tomatoes with the seasoning and oil.
- Roast Tomatoes: Roast the prepared tomatoes in the preheated oven for 30 minutes until they are softened and slightly caramelized.
- Make Balsamic Reduction: While the tomatoes roast, pour the balsamic vinegar into a small saucepan and bring it to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat and let it gently simmer for 12-15 minutes or until the vinegar has thickened and reduced by about half, coating the back of a spoon. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- Assemble the Dish: Once the tomatoes are roasted, remove the baking dish from the oven and top the tomatoes with the burrata cheese. Drizzle the balsamic reduction over the burrata and tomatoes, and garnish with fresh basil leaves for a pop of color and flavor.
- Serve: Serve the roasted tomatoes and burrata with sliced French baguette on the side to scoop up the delicious mixture and enjoy immediately.
Notes
- These roasted tomatoes are the tastiest summer appetizer you’ll ever make, bursting with fresh and rich flavors.
- The creamy burrata perfectly complements the sweetness of the roasted tomatoes and the tangy balsamic reduction.
- Serve with crusty French baguette and a chilled bottle of wine for an elegant patio gathering.
- The balsamic reduction can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to a week.
- Feel free to substitute fresh mozzarella if burrata is unavailable, though burrata offers a creamier texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 113
- Sugar: 6.4 g
- Sodium: 291.1 mg
- Fat: 2.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9.6 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 13.1 g
- Cholesterol: 6.8 mg
