Description
This Baked Feta Pasta recipe is a simple yet flavorful dish that has taken the internet by storm. Juicy cherry tomatoes, garlic, and feta cheese bake together to create a creamy sauce that coats every strand of pasta. With a hint of spice and freshness from basil, this Mediterranean-inspired dish is perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Feta Pasta:
- 1 block (8 oz) feta cheese
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Pasta:
- 10 oz pasta (such as penne or rotini)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil (chopped)
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Prepare the baking dish: In a 9×13-inch baking dish, add cherry tomatoes, minced garlic, olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Toss to coat.
- Bake the feta: Place the block of feta cheese in the center of the dish, nestling it among the tomatoes. Drizzle olive oil over the feta. Bake for 30–35 minutes until tomatoes burst and feta is golden.
- Cook the pasta: Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Combine ingredients: Remove the baking dish from the oven, mash the feta and tomatoes to form a creamy sauce. Add cooked pasta and reserved pasta water. Toss to coat evenly.
- Finish and serve: Stir in chopped fresh basil and serve warm.
Notes
- For added flavor, mix in sautéed spinach, kalamata olives, or grilled chicken.
- Use gluten-free pasta if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
