There is something truly magical about Grandma’s Meat Sauce Pasta with Burrata Recipe that makes every bite feel like a warm hug from the heart of Italian cooking. This dish combines a rich, slow-simmered meat sauce bursting with aromatic herbs and tender ground meats, perfectly tossed with al dente pasta and crowned with creamy, luscious burrata cheese. It’s comfort food elevated to a celebration, where every ingredient plays its part in creating a dish that’s both familiar and extraordinary. Once you taste it, you’ll understand why this recipe has earned a cherished spot at the family table and why it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser wherever it’s served.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the ingredients right in this recipe is simple, but essential. Each element brings a unique texture, flavor, or aroma that layers into the final dish, creating a perfect balance of richness, freshness, and that irresistible Italian flair.
- Olive oil: The foundation for sautéing, adding a fruity, smooth base to build your flavors upon.
- Yellow onion: Provides sweetness and depth when finely chopped and cooked until soft.
- Garlic cloves: Minced to deliver that unmistakable aromatic punch everyone loves in a meat sauce.
- Ground beef: Offers robust meatiness and heartiness to the sauce.
- Ground pork: Adds juiciness and a slightly sweet note, perfectly complementing the beef.
- Salt: Enhances and balances all the flavors in your sauce.
- Black pepper: Brings a gentle heat that invigorates the palate.
- Red pepper flakes (optional): For those who love a subtle kick of spice.
- Tomato paste: Concentrates the tomato flavor with a rich sweetness and thickness.
- Crushed tomatoes: The heart of the sauce providing fresh, tangy tomato goodness.
- Tomato sauce: Adds smoothness and rounds out the sauce’s body.
- Dried oregano: A classic herb that infuses the sauce with traditional Italian aroma.
- Dried basil: Sweet and slightly peppery, it lifts the sauce with a fresh herbaceous note.
- Sugar: Balances the acidity of tomatoes and creates a harmonious sauce.
- Fresh parsley: Chopped for a burst of freshness and color.
- Pasta (rigatoni or spaghetti): The perfect vehicle to carry all the meaty sauce goodness.
- Fresh burrata cheese: Creamy, soft, and indulgent, adding a luxurious finishing touch.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: For serving, lending a sharp, salty brightness.
- Fresh basil leaves: Garnish that adds visual appeal and a fragrant lift.
How to Make Grandma’s Meat Sauce Pasta with Burrata Recipe
Step 1: Sauté Aromatics
Start by heating olive oil in a large pot over medium heat until it shimmers with promise. Add finely chopped yellow onion and cook gently until it softens and becomes translucent, about five minutes. This step unlocks a naturally sweet base for your sauce. Then, stir in minced garlic and allow its aroma to bloom for about a minute. This careful foundation ensures every bite of your Grandma’s Meat Sauce Pasta with Burrata Recipe starts with deep, inviting flavor.
Step 2: Brown the Meat
Next, add both ground beef and ground pork to your pot. Season generously with salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes if you want that gentle heat to come through. Use a spoon to break up the meat, and cook until browned and irresistibly fragrant. This browning process is crucial because it develops rich savory notes that make the sauce so memorable.
Step 3: Build the Tomato Base
Stir in the tomato paste, giving it a couple of minutes to caramelize slightly and deepen its flavor. Then pour in crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce, stirring everything together like a professional chef. Sprinkle dried oregano, dried basil, sugar, and chopped fresh parsley to the pot. These herbs and the hint of sweetness combine to balance the acidity and add layers of complexity to the sauce.
Step 4: Simmer to Perfection
Reduce the heat to low and let the meat sauce simmer uncovered for 30 to 45 minutes. This slow simmer allows the sauce to thicken and the flavors to meld into a luscious, well-rounded experience that defines Grandma’s Meat Sauce Pasta with Burrata Recipe. Remember to give it an occasional stir to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
Step 5: Cook and Toss Pasta
While your sauce simmers, cook your pasta in plenty of salted boiling water until perfectly al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving half a cup of that starchy pasta water. Toss your pasta with the sauce, loosening it with splashes of pasta water if needed, so every noodle is coated in that savory goodness.
Step 6: Add Burrata and Garnish
Plate the pasta, then tear fresh burrata cheese on top so its creamy richness blends beautifully with the warm sauce. Finish with grated Parmesan and fresh basil leaves for that final touch. This step is what elevates the dish from hearty comfort food to a gourmet Italian masterpiece you’ll want to savor again and again.
How to Serve Grandma’s Meat Sauce Pasta with Burrata Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh basil leaves and grated Parmesan cheese are your go-to garnishes here. The basil adds a lively, sweet aroma while the Parmesan brings a nutty, salty complement that pairs perfectly with the creamy burrata and robust meat sauce.
Side Dishes
Serving this dish alongside a crisp arugula salad drizzled with lemon vinaigrette or some warm, crusty garlic bread makes the meal even more satisfying. Both options contrast the richness of the pasta and add freshness and texture to your plate.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special touch, plate individual servings in shallow bowls and place the burrata centrally, allowing it to melt invitingly into the pasta. Alternatively, twirl the pasta into neat nests on each plate before topping it with dollops of burrata and a sprinkle of herbs for an Instagram-worthy presentation that tastes as incredible as it looks.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers of this flavorful Grandma’s Meat Sauce Pasta with Burrata Recipe, store the meat sauce and pasta separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Keeping the burrata separate is key to maintaining its creamy texture.
Freezing
The meat sauce freezes beautifully for up to three months. Freeze in portioned containers, but avoid freezing cooked pasta as it can become mushy. Frozen sauce can become your quick weeknight savior!
Reheating
Reheat the sauce gently on the stove, adding a splash of water or broth if it’s too thick. Warm the pasta separately by quickly tossing in boiling water or gently microwaving. Add fresh burrata only when serving to preserve that silky, fresh creaminess.
FAQs
Can I use other types of pasta with this meat sauce?
Absolutely! While rigatoni and spaghetti are recommended because their shapes hold the sauce so well, you can also enjoy this sauce with penne, fettuccine, or even pappardelle. Just make sure to cook your pasta al dente for the best texture.
Is it necessary to use both ground beef and pork?
Using both adds a wonderful depth of flavor and texture, with pork contributing juiciness and sweetness. However, you can use just ground beef or turkey if you prefer; the sauce will still be delicious.
How important is the fresh burrata in this recipe?
The burrata is a true game-changer. Its creamy richness contrasts beautifully with the savory meat sauce, making the dish feel indulgent and special. If you can’t find burrata, fresh mozzarella is a decent substitute, although you’ll miss those luscious creamy pockets.
Can I prepare the meat sauce in advance?
Definitely! In fact, the sauce tastes even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld. Just reheat gently before tossing with freshly cooked pasta and adding burrata.
What if I want to make this recipe spicy?
Feel free to increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper when browning your meat. Just keep tasting as you go to reach your preferred level of heat without overpowering the other flavors.
Final Thoughts
Making Grandma’s Meat Sauce Pasta with Burrata Recipe is like inviting a bit of Italian tradition and comfort into your kitchen. This dish effortlessly combines hearty, soulful flavors with the fresh decadence of burrata, making it a perfect meal for family gatherings or cozy nights in. Give it a try—you might just discover your new favorite way to enjoy pasta!
Print
Grandma’s Meat Sauce Pasta with Burrata Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Nut-Free
Description
Grandma’s Meat Sauce Pasta with Burrata is a comforting Italian-American classic featuring a rich, slow-simmered meat sauce made from ground beef and pork, enhanced with aromatic herbs and spices. Served over your choice of rigatoni or spaghetti and topped with creamy burrata cheese and fresh basil, this hearty dish delivers a perfect balance of savory flavors and creamy textures, ideal for family dinners or cozy gatherings.
Ingredients
Meat Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound ground pork
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Pasta & Toppings
- 1 pound pasta (rigatoni or spaghetti recommended)
- 8 ounces fresh burrata cheese
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Sauté aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to release its flavor.
- Brown the meat: Add the ground beef and ground pork to the pot. Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Cook until the meat is browned and cooked through, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks to ensure even browning.
- Add tomato paste: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes with the meat and aromatics. This step deepens the sauce’s flavor by caramelizing the paste slightly.
- Combine tomatoes and herbs: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce. Add dried oregano, dried basil, sugar, and chopped fresh parsley. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
- Simmer the sauce: Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for 30 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. This helps to thicken the sauce and meld the flavors beautifully.
- Cook pasta: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the meat sauce. Toss together gently, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce and help it coat the pasta evenly.
- Serve: Plate the pasta and top with torn pieces of fresh burrata cheese. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan and garnish with fresh basil leaves. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- For a richer depth of flavor, simmer the sauce for up to 1 hour instead of 30-45 minutes.
- Ground turkey can be used as a leaner substitute, or use only ground beef depending on preference.
- Add burrata cheese just before serving to preserve its creamy texture and freshness.
