Description
This Baked Feta Pasta recipe combines creamy, oven-roasted feta cheese with bursting cherry tomatoes, garlic, and al dente pasta to create a luscious, flavorful dish inspired by Mediterranean and Italian cuisine. It is a simple yet elegant vegetarian main course perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese and Vegetables
- 1 (8-ounce) block feta cheese
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
Pasta and Seasonings
- 10 ounces pasta (such as penne or rotini)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the feta and tomatoes.
- Prepare the baking dish: In a 9×13-inch baking dish, combine the cherry tomatoes, minced garlic, and 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Season this mixture with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Toss to coat the tomatoes evenly.
- Add the feta cheese: Place the entire block of feta cheese in the center of the tomato mixture within the baking dish. Drizzle a little extra olive oil over the feta for added richness.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. The tomatoes should burst and release their juices, and the feta will become golden and soft.
- Cook the pasta: While the feta and tomatoes bake, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
- Create the sauce: Remove the baking dish from the oven. Using a spoon, gently mash the softened feta and tomatoes together to form a creamy sauce.
- Toss pasta and sauce: Add the drained pasta to the baking dish and toss well to coat the pasta with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is achieved.
- Finish and serve: Stir in the chopped fresh basil and serve the pasta warm. Optionally, drizzle with extra olive oil and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
Notes
- For more flavor and texture, add spinach, cooked chicken, or olives to the dish.
- You can substitute feta cheese with goat cheese or Boursin cheese for a different twist.
- Reserve pasta water carefully as it helps loosen the sauce without diluting flavor.
- This dish can be easily doubled for larger gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean, Italian-Inspired
