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Golden spaghetti twirled with zucchini ribbons and topped with torn creamy burrata cheese and fresh basil in a ceramic bowl.

lemon zucchini pasta with burrata

Bright, creamy lemon zucchini pasta tossed in an extra virgin olive oil, garlic, and parmesan emulsion, topped with a rich ball of fresh burrata cheese and fresh basil.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 410

Ingredients
  

  • * 8 oz 225g Spaghetti or Linguine (preferably bronze-cut)
  • * 2 medium Zucchini shaved into thin ribbons with a vegetable peeler or thinly sliced into rounds
  • * 1 large ball 4 oz / 115g Fresh Burrata Cheese, brought to room temperature
  • * 3 cloves Garlic finely minced
  • * 3 tbsp 45ml High-Quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil (divided: 2 tbsp for cooking, 1 tbsp for finishing)
  • * 1 large Lemon zest and fresh juice (approx. 3 tbsp juice)
  • * 1/2 cup 50g Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, freshly grated
  • * 1/2 cup Reserved starchy pasta cooking water
  • * 1/2 cup Fresh Basil leaves roughly torn
  • * 1/2 tsp Salt plus extra for pasta boiling water
  • * 1/4 tsp Freshly cracked black pepper
  • * 1/4 tsp Red pepper flakes optional, for heat

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boiling rolling point. Add spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente (approx. 8-9 minutes).
  2. Before draining, carefully ladle out and reserve 1/2 cup of starchy pasta water. Drain pasta and set aside.
  3. While pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes; cook for 1 minute until fragrant without browning.
  4. Add zucchini ribbons to the skillet and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until tender-crisp.
  5. Lower skillet heat to low. Add the cooked pasta directly into the skillet with the zucchini.
  6. Pour in half of the reserved pasta cooking water, the remaining 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
  7. Toss and twirl the pasta vigorously using tongs for 1 to 2 minutes until a silky, glossy emulsified sauce coats every strand. Add more pasta water if necessary. Season with salt and black pepper.
  8. Divide pasta into serving bowls. Tear open the room-temperature burrata ball and crown the center of the pasta with it.
  9. Garnish with fresh basil leaves, additional lemon zest, cracked pepper, and a final light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Serve immediately!

Notes

* Always bring burrata to room temperature 30 minutes before serving for maximum creaminess.
* Do not skip using starchy pasta water; it is essential for emulsifying the olive oil and cheese into a cream-free sauce.
* To store leftovers, refrigerate pasta separately from fresh burrata for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of warm water and extra virgin olive oil.