Description
This Baked Feta Pasta recipe with Cherry Tomatoes is a viral sensation for a reason – it’s incredibly simple to make and bursting with flavor. Creamy feta cheese melds with roasted cherry tomatoes to create a luscious sauce that coats every strand of pasta. A sprinkle of fresh basil adds a touch of freshness to this Mediterranean-inspired dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Feta Pasta:
- 1 block (8 oz) feta cheese
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Pasta:
- 10 oz pasta (such as penne, rotini, or farfalle)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Prepare the baking dish: In a baking dish, add the cherry tomatoes and place the block of feta cheese in the center. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with minced garlic, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Toss the tomatoes lightly to coat.
- Bake: Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the tomatoes are blistered and the feta is soft and golden on top.
- Cook the pasta: Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package instructions, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- Combine: Remove the baking dish from the oven and mash the feta and tomatoes together until creamy. Add the cooked pasta and a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce. Stir until well combined.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
Notes
- For a flavor twist, add spinach, olives, or sun-dried tomatoes.
- You can substitute crumbled feta, but a block gives a creamier result.
- Whole wheat or gluten-free pasta works well too.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
