Best Lemon Herb Pasta Salad with Burrata
This Lemon Herb Pasta Salad with Burrata is the best summer side dish! After making it countless times for cookouts, I’ve perfected the balance of tangy lemon and fresh herbs. The creamy burrata adds a cozy, indulgent touch. Keep reading for my tips, or jump straight to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Homemade Dry Rub Jamaican Jerk Seasoning and Chicken Pasta Salad That Tastes Better Than Deli Style.
Why This Best Lemon Herb Pasta Salad with Burrata Is Pure Comfort
- Tangy and fresh, perfect for summer cookouts
- Creamy burrata adds a cozy, indulgent touch
- Easy to make and ready in just 20 minutes
- Better than takeout, packed with flavor
What You'll Need for Best Lemon Herb Pasta Salad with Burrata
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 lb pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup fresh basil
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley
- 1 ball burrata
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- Optional: Parmesan cheese
- Optional: Pine nuts
- Optional: Olive tapenade
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- pasta: Use any shape you prefer, like rotini, fusilli, or penne.
- burrata: Substitute with fresh mozzarella if burrata is unavailable.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Good quality olive oil — Enhances the flavor of the salad → See on Amazon
- Sharp kitchen knife — Makes prep work faster and safer → See on Amazon
How to Make Best Lemon Herb Pasta Salad with Burrata
- Cook pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- Prepare dressing: Whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Assemble salad: In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped basil, chopped parsley, and dressing. Toss to combine.
- Add burrata: Tear burrata into bite-sized pieces and gently fold into the pasta salad.
- Serve: Serve immediately, or refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Top with optional toppings before serving.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Best Lemon Herb Pasta Salad with Burrata
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid overcooking the pasta. It should have a slight bite to it. If it's too soft, the salad will become soggy.
- Tip: For a lighter version, substitute the burrata with fresh mozzarella or omit it entirely.
- Tip: Make this salad ahead of time and store in the fridge. The flavors will intensify over time.
Storing & Reheating Best Lemon Herb Pasta Salad with Burrata
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days Make-ahead tip: Can be made up to 1 day ahead
Freezing Best Lemon Herb Pasta Salad with Burrata
Not suitable for freezing
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not applicable Microwave: Not applicable
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add sliced jalapeños or red pepper flakes to the dressing.
- Best substitution: Substitute the burrata with fresh mozzarella for a lighter version.
- Make-ahead: This salad can be made up to 1 day ahead. Store in the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the salad becomes too dry, add a little more olive oil and lemon juice before serving.
Want to level up this recipe?
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Best Lemon Herb Pasta Salad with Burrata
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup fresh basil
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley
- 1 ball burrata
Seasonings
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
Optional Toppings
- Parmesan cheese
- Pine nuts
- Olive tapenade
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- Prepare dressing: Whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Assemble salad: In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped basil, chopped parsley, and dressing. Toss to combine.
- Add burrata: Tear burrata into bite-sized pieces and gently fold into the pasta salad.
- Serve: Serve immediately, or refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Top with optional toppings before serving.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add sliced jalapeños or red pepper flakes to the dressing.
- Best substitution: Substitute the burrata with fresh mozzarella for a lighter version.
- Make-ahead: This salad can be made up to 1 day ahead. Store in the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the salad becomes too dry, add a little more olive oil and lemon juice before serving.
Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days
- Freezer: Not suitable for freezing
- Oven reheat: Not applicable
- Microwave reheat: Not applicable
- Make ahead: Can be made up to 1 day ahead
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 15g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 60g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Cholesterol: 45mg
- Sat. Fat: 5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Best Lemon Herb Pasta Salad with Burrata FAQs
Yes, you can make this salad ahead of time. Store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors will intensify over time.
If the salad becomes too dry, add a little more olive oil and lemon juice before serving. You can also add more fresh herbs or cherry tomatoes to add moisture.
Yes, this salad is perfect for summer cookouts! The fresh herbs and tangy lemon dressing make it a refreshing side dish. Keep it in the shade and serve it chilled.
Yes, this homemade Lemon Herb Pasta Salad is much better than takeout! It's fresher, healthier, and packed with more flavor.
You can substitute burrata with fresh mozzarella or omit it entirely for a lighter version.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Best Lemon Herb Pasta Salad with Burrata and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
