Description
A simple and delicious baked feta pasta recipe that combines blistered cherry tomatoes and creamy baked feta cheese to create a rich, flavorful sauce tossed with your favorite pasta. This dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or an impressive meal for guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz pasta (penne, fusilli, or your choice)
Cheese & Veggies
- 1 block (8 oz) feta cheese
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes (or grape tomatoes)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- Fresh basil (for garnish)
Seasonings & Oil
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the feta and tomatoes evenly.
- Cook the Pasta: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside to keep warm.
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Place the cherry tomatoes and the block of feta cheese in the center of a baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil, then add minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Gently toss the tomatoes to coat them evenly with the seasonings and oil.
- Bake the Feta and Tomatoes: Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the tomatoes are blistered and the feta is soft and slightly golden on top.
- Create the Sauce: Remove the baking dish from the oven. Using a fork, mash the baked feta and tomatoes together to create a creamy and flavorful sauce.
- Toss the Pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the baking dish along with the reserved pasta water. Toss everything together thoroughly so that the pasta is evenly coated with the luscious sauce.
- Serve: Serve the baked feta pasta warm, garnished with fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if you like a little heat.
Notes
- You can use any short pasta like penne, fusilli, or rigatoni for this recipe.
- If you prefer a spicier kick, add more red pepper flakes to taste.
- For a creamier texture, add a splash more olive oil or reserved pasta water when tossing.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stove or microwave.
- Fresh basil is best added just before serving to maintain its vibrant flavor and color.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: baked feta pasta, feta pasta recipe, baked tomato pasta, easy pasta recipe, Mediterranean pasta, vegetarian pasta dish
