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Girelle Burrata Pasta Salad

Featured in: Fresh and Flavorful Salads That Satisfy

Girelle Pasta Salad is an elegant Italian-inspired dish that balances contrasting flavors and textures for a sophisticated yet simple meal. Spiral-shaped girelle pasta serves as the foundation, coated in a bright, citrusy lemon vinaigrette that adds refreshing acidity. Peppery arugula provides a fresh contrast to the pasta, while generous amounts of grated Parmigiano Reggiano add a savory, umami richness throughout. The crowning glory is the creamy burrata cheese, which, when broken open, creates a luscious sauce that coats the other ingredients. Dollops of basil pesto bring herbal notes and color, while chopped pistachios contribute a delightful crunch and subtle nuttiness. This pasta salad works beautifully as a light main course for lunch or dinner, especially during warmer months, or as an impressive side dish for gatherings. The combination of premium ingredients creates a restaurant-quality dish that's surprisingly simple to prepare at home.
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marry from tastelikemagic.com
Updated on Mon, 17 Mar 2025 04:36:04 GMT
A bowl of pasta with cheese and lemon. Pin it
A bowl of pasta with cheese and lemon. | tastelikemagic.com

This Lemon Burrata Pasta Salad combines bright citrus, creamy burrata, and fresh arugula, all tossed with tender pasta and crunchy pistachios. The tanginess of lemon cuts through the creaminess of the cheese, while the peppery arugula adds just the right amount of bite. The pistachios bring a satisfying crunch that transforms an ordinary pasta dish into something truly memorable.

I made this pasta salad for my sister's baby shower last month and people were literally scraping the bowl clean. My brother-in-law, who normally avoids anything green, went back for seconds and asked for the recipe! Something about the combination of creamy cheese and bright lemon just makes people forget they're eating something healthy.

Ingredients

  • Pasta Salad: Girelle pasta, arugula, Parmigiano Reggiano, burrata, pistachios, basil pesto.
  • Lemon Vinaigrette: Extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, salt, pepper.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Pasta:
Boil pasta in well-salted water until al dente. Drain and cool completely before assembling.
Make the Lemon Vinaigrette:
Shake together olive oil, fresh lemon juice, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
Assemble the Pasta Salad:
Toss cooled pasta with half of the vinaigrette and grated Parmigiano Reggiano. Add arugula and more dressing, then gently mix.
Final Presentation:
Transfer to a serving platter. Top with torn burrata, dollops of basil pesto, and chopped pistachios.
A bowl of pasta with eggs and spinach. Pin it
A bowl of pasta with eggs and spinach. | tastelikemagic.com

The Art of Balance

This pasta salad showcases the Italian culinary philosophy of balance – creamy cheese against bright lemon, tender pasta against crunchy nuts, peppery greens against mellow pesto.

Make It Your Own

Try adding cherry tomatoes, fresh figs, or prosciutto for variations. The base remains the same, but small tweaks keep the dish fresh and exciting.

Seasonal Variations

Spring: Add asparagus and fresh peas. Summer: Try zucchini ribbons or charred corn. Fall: Roasted butternut squash or crisp apple. Winter: Roasted red peppers and sun-dried tomatoes.

Entertaining Magic

This dish is perfect for entertaining. It can be mostly prepared ahead, requires no reheating, and always looks impressive.

A bowl of pasta with eggs and spinach. Pin it
A bowl of pasta with eggs and spinach. | tastelikemagic.com

I've been making versions of this pasta salad for nearly twenty years, ever since I tasted something similar at a little trattoria in Florence. The owner noticed me trying to guess the ingredients and graciously shared her technique for the lemon dressing. She told me the secret was to use pasta water instead of plain water if I needed to thin the dressing – a tip I still use today. It's these little discoveries that make cooking such a joy, connecting us across time and distance through the language of good food.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What can I substitute for girelle pasta if I can't find it?
If girelle pasta isn't available, you can substitute with other short, spiral-shaped pastas like fusilli, rotini, or cavatappi. These shapes will still catch the dressing and provide a similar texture to the dish.
→ Can I make this pasta salad ahead of time?
You can prepare most components ahead of time, but for best results, assemble just before serving. Cook and cool the pasta, make the vinaigrette, and prep the other ingredients up to a day ahead, but add the arugula, burrata, and pesto right before serving.
→ What can I use instead of burrata?
If burrata isn't available, you can substitute with fresh mozzarella, though you'll lose some of the creamy interior texture. For a similar creaminess, use a combination of mozzarella pieces with a small dollop of ricotta or mascarpone cheese.
→ Is this pasta salad served warm or cold?
This pasta salad is typically served at room temperature or slightly chilled, but not ice cold. This allows the flavors to shine and the burrata to maintain its creamy texture.
→ How can I make this pasta salad more substantial for a main dish?
To transform this into a heartier main course, add protein like grilled chicken, shrimp, or prosciutto. You could also incorporate more vegetables such as cherry tomatoes, roasted red peppers, or artichoke hearts.

Girelle Burrata Pasta Salad

This Girelle Pasta Salad combines spiral pasta with creamy burrata, peppery arugula, and a bright lemon vinaigrette, topped with pesto and pistachios for a fresh Italian dish.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
25 Minutes
By: Marry

Category: Crisp Salads

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: Italian-inspired

Yield: 4 Servings (4 servings)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ For the Pasta Salad

01 1/2 lb. girelle pasta (or substitute your favorite short pasta shape)
02 1-2 cups fresh arugula
03 1 cup Parmigiano Reggiano, freshly grated
04 8 oz. burrata cheese
05 1/4 cup pistachios, roughly chopped
06 Basil pesto to taste (store-bought or homemade)

→ For the Lemon Vinaigrette

07 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
08 Juice of 1-2 lemons, depending on how tangy you like it
09 Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

Step 01

Start by bringing a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add a generous amount of salt - the water should taste like the sea! This is your chance to season the pasta from the inside out. Add your girelle pasta (those cute little spiral shapes that catch all the delicious dressing!) and cook according to the package directions until just al dente. You want a little bite to the pasta since it'll continue to soak up the dressing as it sits.

Step 02

Once your pasta is perfectly cooked, drain it in a colander but don't rinse it - those starches on the outside will help the dressing cling later. Spread the pasta out on a baking sheet or in a wide bowl and let it cool down to room temperature. A little patience here prevents your arugula from wilting and your burrata from completely melting when you assemble the salad.

Step 03

While your pasta is cooling, let's make that bright, zippy dressing! Grab a small mason jar or any container with a tight-fitting lid. Pour in the olive oil, squeeze in the juice from one lemon (start with one, you can always add more later if you want it tangier), and add a good pinch of salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Screw on the lid and give it a good shake until everything is well combined and slightly thickened. Give it a quick taste and adjust with more lemon, salt, or pepper as needed.

Step 04

In a large mixing bowl, combine your cooled pasta, the peppery arugula, and about three-quarters of the grated Parmigiano. Drizzle about two-thirds of your lemon vinaigrette over the top and gently toss everything together until well coated. Take a moment to taste and see if you'd like more dressing, cheese, arugula, or an extra squeeze of lemon juice. The beauty of this salad is that you can adjust it to your exact preferences!

Step 05

Now for the fun part - plating this gorgeous salad! Transfer your dressed pasta mixture to a serving platter or individual plates. Tear open that creamy burrata (or place it whole in the center for a dramatic presentation) so the creamy center starts to ooze out over the pasta. Drizzle some of that vibrant basil pesto around the dish, sprinkle the chopped pistachios for a delightful crunch, add a final drizzle of your best olive oil, and finish with the remaining Parmigiano shavings. This dish eats with your eyes first!

Step 06

Serve your masterpiece immediately while the contrast between the room temperature pasta and the cool, creamy burrata is at its best. This salad is perfect as a light summer dinner, a side dish at a barbecue, or an impressive starter for a dinner party. It captures all those gorgeous Mediterranean flavors in every bite!

Notes

  1. This Lemon Burrata Pasta Salad combines the peppery bite of arugula, creamy richness of burrata, and bright citrus notes for a refreshing twist on traditional pasta salad.
  2. Feel free to experiment with the pasta shape - orecchiette, fusilli, or farfalle all work beautifully with this recipe.
  3. For the best flavor, serve this pasta salad at room temperature rather than cold from the refrigerator.
  4. If you need to make it ahead, prepare everything except adding the burrata, pesto, and pistachios - add those just before serving for the best texture and presentation.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large pot for boiling pasta
  • Colander
  • Small jar with lid for dressing
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Cheese grater
  • Serving platter or individual plates

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains gluten (pasta)
  • Contains dairy (burrata, Parmigiano Reggiano)
  • Contains tree nuts (pistachios, and possibly pine nuts if using traditional pesto)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 520
  • Total Fat: 32 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 42 g
  • Protein: 18 g