There’s something incredibly satisfying about making a meal from scratch, especially when you can pull fresh ingredients straight from your own garden. Lately, I’ve been hooked on a simple yet elegant dish: homemade pesto pasta, brightened up with burrata and served alongside a crisp arugula Caesar salad.
It all starts with the pesto. Forget the stuff in the jar; making your own is worlds apart. My go-to recipe uses basil from my garden, a generous handful of pine nuts (toasted for extra flavor!), a good glug of olive oil – the better the oil, the better the pesto, trust me – some fresh garlic, Parmesan cheese, and a squeeze of lemon. I love that I can control the garlic kick and the amount of salt. Plus, using basil that I’ve nurtured from a tiny seedling adds a layer of joy that’s hard to beat.
For the pasta, I usually opt for a short shape like penne or fusilli, something that really catches that vibrant green pesto. Cook your pasta until it’s perfectly al dente, then toss it generously with the fresh pesto. The warmth of the pasta helps release the pesto’s aroma, filling the kitchen with that amazing basil-garlic scent.
Now, for the star of the show: burrata. This creamy, dreamy cheese is divine. I like to place a whole ball of burrata right on top of the warm pesto pasta. As you cut into it, the luscious cream spills out, mingling with the pesto and pasta. It’s pure indulgence, but in the best, freshest way possible.
To balance the richness of the pasta and burrata, I whip up a quick arugula Caesar salad. I’m not a fan of overly complicated dressings, so mine is pretty straightforward: olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, a minced garlic clove, a touch of Worcestershire sauce (optional, but adds a nice depth), and grated Parmesan. Toss this with fresh arugula – its peppery bite is fantastic – and maybe some crunchy croutons if I’m feeling it.
This meal is a perfect example of how simple, fresh ingredients can create something truly special. It’s a celebration of the seasons and the abundance that comes from a little bit of gardening. Whether you have a sprawling garden or just a pot of basil on your windowsill, I encourage you to give homemade pesto a try. It’s a flavor experience that connects you right back to the earth.
So next time you’re looking for a delicious, satisfying meal that feels both gourmet and grounded, give this pesto pasta with burrata and arugula Caesar a go. Your taste buds (and maybe even your garden) will thank you!