Description
This Baked Feta Pasta is a simple yet delicious Mediterranean-inspired dish that combines creamy roasted feta cheese with sweet blistered cherry tomatoes and pasta. Roasting the feta and tomatoes together creates a luscious, savory sauce that’s easy to mix with your favorite pasta. Garnished with fresh basil, this flavorful recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a cozy meal with friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese and Vegetables
- 8 oz block of feta cheese
- 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Other Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, chopped (for garnish)
Pasta
- 12 oz pasta (penne, fusilli, or spaghetti)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for roasting the feta and tomatoes.
- Arrange the feta and tomatoes: Place the block of feta cheese in the center of a large baking dish and surround it evenly with the cherry or grape tomatoes.
- Add seasonings and oil: Drizzle 1/4 cup olive oil over the feta and tomatoes, making sure they’re well coated. Sprinkle the minced garlic, dried oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper on top.
- Roast in the oven: Bake for 30-35 minutes until the tomatoes are blistered and the feta cheese has softened and turned golden.
- Cook the pasta: While the feta and tomatoes roast, cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Make the sauce: Remove the baking dish from the oven. Use a fork or spoon to mash the roasted feta and tomatoes together, forming a creamy sauce.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Add the drained pasta directly into the baking dish and mix thoroughly to coat. If the sauce feels too thick, gradually stir in reserved pasta water until you achieve your preferred consistency.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh basil over the dish and serve warm for a comforting and flavorful meal.
Notes
- You can substitute the cherry or grape tomatoes with any small, sweet tomatoes if unavailable.
- For extra flavor, add a splash of white wine to the roasting mixture before baking.
- Red pepper flakes are optional and can be omitted for a milder taste.
- Reserve pasta water carefully as it helps to adjust the sauce texture and binds the sauce to the pasta.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Fresh basil adds a fresh, herbaceous aroma that complements the creamy sauce perfectly.
