Sometimes the best things in life are the simplest, like fresh ingredients and a pinch of seasoning. For this Gooey Burrata Salad the fresh ingredients are central to the dish, with fresh flavor and creamy cheese. But it only takes a few minutes to whip up this crowd-pleasing (and satisfying) appetizer.

This easy starter is full of rich flavor from the tomatoes. For the best results use Campari or cherry tomatoes and fresh basil in this take on a Caprese salad. If you have time to let the flavors of the salt and balsamic vinegar meld with the tomatoes then it’s even better. Salt works magic on tomatoes somehow and this salad is proof of that!

Once you’ve let the tomatoes sit it’s time to assemble this appetizer. The simplest way to serve this is to place the burrata in the center and surround it with tomatoes. Then serve the bread separately. But, you could also pre-assemble them as crostini with a dollop of burrata and a tomato wedge on top of each slice of bread as well.

For this recipe I like to cut slices of French or Italian bread and then brush them with a little olive oil before placing them in the oven on a baking tray to get some color. This makes them a bit crispy, a perfect contrast to the gooey cheese and tender tomatoes.

You can also serve this some pita chips or bagel chips for a fun take on a party dip. Just make sure your tomatoes are cut small enough for your dippers.

The star of the show is really the burrata though. This oozing cheese is soft even straight from the fridge thanks to the way this cheese is made.

Burrata is a soft layer of fresh mozzarella surrounding a center of Stracciatella cheese. We all know how good fresh mozzarella is, but Stracciatella takes creamy to another level. This cheese is mixed with thick cream for a mild flavor full of richness. It’s ideal for entertaining because it’s the opposite of the more fragrant, aged cheeses.

For an easy, tasty starter this Gooey Burrata Salad is the way to go. It truly makes entertaining a breeze.