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Creamy Marinara Sauce with Fresh Burrata

creamy marinara sauce with fresh burrata - featured image

A quick and easy creamy marinara sauce enriched with fresh burrata cheese, perfect for comforting family dinners or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes, crushed by hand or with a masher
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano (or 1 tablespoon fresh, chopped)
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil (fresh works too, added at the end)
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon sugar or honey (optional)
  • 1 ball fresh burrata cheese (about 46 ounces), torn into chunks just before serving
  • Optional garnishes: fresh basil leaves, grated Parmesan cheese, toasted pine nuts or chili oil drizzle

Instructions

  1. Heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil over medium heat in a large sauté pan until shimmering but not smoking, about 2 minutes.
  2. Add the finely chopped onion and cook for 4-5 minutes until translucent and soft, stirring occasionally.
  3. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Pour in the crushed San Marzano tomatoes along with their juices. Stir in oregano, basil, red pepper flakes if using, salt, pepper, and sugar or honey.
  5. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Lower the heat and partially cover the pan. Let the sauce simmer gently for 25-30 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to prevent sticking. Add a splash of water or broth if it gets too thick.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and sugar if needed. Stir in fresh basil now if desired.
  7. Just before serving, tear chunks of fresh burrata cheese and fold gently into the hot sauce to create a creamy texture.
  8. Serve the sauce over your favorite pasta, roasted vegetables, or as a dip for crusty bread. Garnish with extra basil, Parmesan, or pine nuts if desired.

Notes

Avoid burning garlic by keeping heat moderate. Add burrata just before serving to maintain creamy texture. Sugar or honey balances tomato acidity. Sauce can be made dairy-free by substituting burrata with cashew cream or vegan mozzarella. Store sauce and burrata separately if refrigerating leftovers.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy marinara sauce, fresh burrata, homemade marinara, easy marinara recipe, comfort food, Italian sauce, quick marinara