The Best Orecchiette alla Positanese You'll Ever Taste
Orecchiette alla Positanese
Creamy, Cheeky, and Sun-Drenched
This dish doesn’t just taste Italian — it flirts Italian.
Plump orecchiette capture the sweetness of roasted cherry tomatoes, while juicy sausage adds richness and depth. Then comes the magic: Burrata di Puglia, blended into the sauce until it turns silky and creamy.
The result is a pasta that feels like sunshine from the Amalfi Coast — light enough for lunch, indulgent enough for a romantic dinner.
One bite and you might find yourself whispering “Mamma mia…”
🕒 Prep: 10 minutes | Cook: 25 minutes | Serves: 4
Why Orecchiette Works So Well with Creamy Tomato Sauces
Orecchiette means “little ears” in Italian, and their curved shape is perfect for catching sauces.
In this dish:
- Roasted cherry tomatoes bring sweetness and depth
- Italian sausage adds savoury richness
- Burrata melts into the sauce, creating a luxurious texture
- Fresh basil lifts the dish with bright herbal notes
The combination creates a sauce that is creamy yet fresh, perfectly balanced between indulgence and Mediterranean brightness.
Ingredients
From Our Kitchen to Yours
- 400 g Orecchiette
- 125 g Burrata di Puglia
- 250 g fresh Italian sausage, casings removed
From Your Pantry
- 2 garlic cloves
- 400 g cherry tomatoes, halved
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- A handful of fresh basil leaves
- Chilli flakes (optional)
Equipment
Wide sauté pan
Large saucepan
Baking tray
Blender or food processor
Wooden spoon
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Wake Up the Sausage
Heat a generous drizzle of olive oil in a wide pan over medium heat.
Add the sausage and break it up with a spoon as it cooks.
Let it brown for about 8 minutes, until golden and fragrant.
Remove the sausage from the pan and set aside.
2. Roast the Tomatoes
Place the halved cherry tomatoes and one garlic clove on a baking tray.
Season with salt and pepper and drizzle generously with olive oil.
Roast in a 220°C oven for 15–20 minutes, until soft and lightly caramelised.
3. Create the Creamy Sauce
Transfer the roasted tomatoes and garlic to a blender.
Add one burrata and blend until smooth and creamy.
The sauce should be silky with a beautiful sunset colour.
4. Cook the Orecchiette
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Add the orecchiette and cook until al dente, according to package instructions.
Before draining, reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water.
5. Mix, Toss, Love
Return the sausage to the pan and pour in the creamy tomato and burrata sauce.
Add the drained orecchiette and toss everything together.
If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of pasta water to loosen it and help it coat the pasta.
6. The Finale
Remove the pan from the heat and let the pasta rest for 2 minutes.
Serve immediately and finish with:
- fresh basil leaves
- a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
- freshly cracked black pepper
- grated Parmigiano if desired
Positano in a pan.
Chef’s Tips
Try Fennel Sausage
Italian sausage with fennel adds an extra aromatic twist to the dish.
Roast the Tomatoes Well
Light caramelisation intensifies their sweetness and gives the sauce deeper flavour.
Use Pasta Water Sparingly
Just a splash helps the sauce cling perfectly to the pasta.
Let the Sauce Hug the Pasta
The sauce should coat the orecchiette gently — never drown them.
A Little History
Orecchiette originated in Puglia, in southern Italy, where pasta was traditionally shaped by hand.
Burrata also comes from Puglia, while sweet cherry tomatoes thrive along the sunny coastlines of southern Italy.
The “Positanese” twist celebrates this meeting of regions — rustic pasta from Puglia, creamy burrata, and sun-ripened tomatoes reminiscent of the Amalfi Coast.
It’s a dish that captures the spirit of southern Italian cooking: vibrant, generous, and full of life.
Bring Italy to Your Table
With simple ingredients and bold Mediterranean flavours, Orecchiette alla Positanese brings a taste of the Italian coast straight to your kitchen.
Creamy burrata, sweet tomatoes, and perfectly cooked pasta — proof that Italian cooking is at its best when it’s joyful, relaxed, and delicious.
Try our our full Positano menu