There are many tomato basil pasta dishes out there, this is my take on an and easy flavorful dish. It comes together in about 10 minutes and cooks in about 10-12. We often have this dish when we don't want to cook, but don't want to go out or when I have been cooking quite a bit. It's perfect in the days between Christmas and New Year's Eve when you're tired of both cooking and the leftovers. The ingredient list is short and everything is easy to find, do make sure though that you use the best possible ingredients you can find because all of them shine in this dish.
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat for about 90 and then add the olive oil. While pan and oil are heating wash tomatoes and set aside. Wash and tear basil and chop shallot. Once oil shimmers add tomatoes, tomato paste and shallot, set aside basil. At the same as the skillet goes on the heat bring a pot of well salted water to a boil. Once boiling add the pasta and cook according to the package directions.
While tomatoes are cooking, shave the garlic. Once the tomatoes have been cooking a few minutes and are starting to burst add the garlic. When cooking time on the pasta is up, add the basil and a few good grinds of pepper to the tomatoes. Spoon a few ladles of pasta water into the tomatoes so that the consistency thins out but still has some body to it. Taste and adjust salt if needed. Drain pasta and add the pasta to the tomatoes, stirring to coat pasta. Pour everything into a heat proof bowl and place the burrata in the center. Tear the burrata in the chunks using two butter knives. Do not toss. Use ladle to spoon pasta into bowls, top with shaved parmesan and red chili flakes if using.
